Career Efforts

Based strictly on performance, are there actors whose projects you are more likely to watch? How about which musician's concert to attend? Or wanting your favorite sports team signing a particular player? Or...

It would probably be a safe bet that everyone on your list works hard at what they do. They put in hours perfecting their skills. They network with others in their industry. They make sure they are up-to-date with their knowledge and materials. They study others - in a good way - in their field.

Are you likely to end up on some one's "based on performance" list? Or are you settling for, at best, mediocrity?

Me? I have no interest in being Mr. Mediocre. That's why I practice various career related skills daily. And NOT for a grand total of five minutes! That's why I attend industry events even though socializing would not make my list of favorite activities. That's why I take the time to read all the articles I read.

The Three Catagories of Actor

Actors who play President Lincoln (or any other role) fall into three categories. Using the Gettysburg address as an example:

1. This actor is just a step up from a high school student reciting the address in U.S. History class. Not sure how this actor even got considered, let alone cast. DO NOT be this actor! Excellent memorization skills might be all that is needed for the high school student, but the actor without the emotional commitment might as well botch the lines. The audience is going to be disconnected from the performance. (This is the performance unprepared actors deliver to casting directors at auditions.)
2. This actor is at the intermediate level. This is the actor who embodies Lincoln so well that the audience walks away feeling as if they actually met Lincoln himself. While the audience might be drawn into the performance, be it stage or screen, they are still on the outside witnessing the life of the characters. (The he did a superb job pointing to the moon performance.)
3. This is the best actor. BE THIS ACTOR! What sets this actor apart from the the second actor? His delivery. Both he and #2 embody Lincoln superbly. However, #3 draws the audience in emotionally. The audience walks away with the understanding of how those at who were actually at Gettysburg must of felt. The audience in this case is going to be drawn into the performance on a personal level. They will ponder how it must of been to be there hearing the address. (The when he pointed to the moon I had to refrain from turning around and looking performance.)

My goal is to always strive to fall into category #3. This is why the bulk of my acting time next week is going to be committed to going over my scenes for a film I am shooting next Saturday. (No, I am not playing Lincoln. Totally wrong body type.)