What is your essence? First impressions are so important, especially in the casting room. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far as an actor is allowing the process of ‘play’ to be effortless. Learning who I am. Learning what my voice sounds like (both literally and figuratively – in the actual voice work I’ve been doing to improve my vocal tone, and the morning pages I’ve been writing to understand my own views and opinions). All of this has been a long but rewarding process. I’m afraid that some people never really ‘learn’ or appreciate who they are. Maybe that has something to with the amount of people medicated for depression (as I was through most of grade school) -but that’s another blog post. Actually, I may write that blog post because I just realized that I actually have some rather strong opinions about the whole topic of depression.

I’ve finished the end of Week 10 of ‘The Artist’s Way.’ Only two weeks left until I’ve completed the program. When I sat down with my computer I intended to write my wrap up, but there is something else that I would first like to discuss first.

Understanding your brand & Understanding your essence

I attended a branding workshop last night with talent agent Pamela Wise that has left me with a lot  to think about moving forward. The workshop was focused on commercials, but it was also applicable to my acting work, my writing, and even my effort to add new skills to my repertoire (like dancing and singing).  It’s really all about understanding who you are and what you have to contribute to whatever art form you’re involved in. One of the biggest things that I walked away with was that we each give off a certain essence that doesn’t demand any special effort on our own part. This is just the immediate ‘feeling’ that people get when they are around you. Part of your job as an artist is understanding this essence so that you can either use it or manipulate it. If you don’t understand the tools that you’ve been given, then you’re left just sort of swaying in front of that black hole of a camera and smiling.  Your job is to look at the lines or the scenario that you’ve been given, and find a way to bring yourself to the role. I know.

Here’s an example:

The dancer that steals your attention

On youtube you can find many videos of dance classes which feature 6 or 7 dancers performing identical choreography. Every person on stage is doing the exact same moves, but for some reason your eyes are drawn to that one person. Why? Because that is the dancer who looks like they’re making up the moves as they go along. Even though that dancer is constrained by the ‘rules of the choreography’ they  appear completely free and spontaneous. My eyes are drawn to this dancer because as she or he dances, I feel like they are letting me into a special place within their heart. Their shields are down and they appear completely vulnerable on stage. Their entire body commits unapologetically to every move. They are not afraid of making a mistake, and if they did you probably wouldn’t notice, because their freedom and bravery has you spell bound and on the edge of your seat.

While the other dancers execute the choreography (or say the lines), this dancer lives the choreography (or lives the lines).

My own personal take-away

One of the things I was told when I attended this workshop was that I give off a little bit of a Tina Fey / Anne Hathaway feel. With this in mind, I am going to start experimenting with my look a little more. I’m also going try letting my inner comic out. Personally, every time I’ve tried to be funny in the past… well, I’m the only one laughing. I think that’s a big part of it though. Learning how to laugh at myself and all of my idiosyncrasies. What are the things that I do that are completely ridiculous? Instead of knocking myself up side the head for going back for another whopping spoonful of peanut butter (I ran out this morning… maybe that’s why this crunchy and delicious nut butter is on my mind), I could try laughing at the fact that I’m human and that this just so happens to be one of my weaknesses. Besides peanut butter addiction, I’m also going to try laugh at my perfectionism, my workaholism, my inner critic (because why not).

Have you ever tried making fun of yourself? It’s not an exercise in ‘The Artist’s Way’ – but I feel like it should be.

Anyway. This is just a little bit of what’s been on my mind lately. Cheers.