HOLLYWOOD ACTOR PREP by Dana Kaminski

Actor Nerves, Stagefright, Camera Fear, On-Camera Freeze, Pre-Scene Jitters, Acting Panic…

Whatever it’s called, fear and nervousness is something that all actors live with. In varying intensities, it ebbs and flows at different stages of everyone’s career. It does get better; especially after awhile, as an actor gets real acting experience. The more work an actor completes; on their own, the jitters somewhat subside, especially if the acting work becomes steady. (And, yes, steady work is uncommon in the acting profession.)

But, absolutely, acting experience does alleviate a lot of pre-performance terrors, when actors are no longer on-the-set virgins…

Yep, jumpin’ through that fire takes a lot of fear away. Once you’ve done it, at least you survived, and now you know what it’s like. Similarly, it’s even better if it was good for you and everyone else.

Even non-actors know about stage fright.

It’s what happens to anyone, before doing something important. It’s the thing that feels, at times, like your stomach climbed up into your throat and is choking you, and your talent. Sometimes, your ability to speak your lines. And, of course, speaking is a big part of acting. And when an actor chokes on their lines, they panic more. Right?

Everyone knows that fear can be debilitating. For those who have been there, it’s a terrible feeling, because it creates a lack of trust, in one’s self. Subsequently followed, by more fear, about fear.

And about how compromising it can be…simple performance anxiety.  (One only needs to see some spam to know that half of the world’s population knows what that is.)

If you are a sensitive actor, you feel fear now, just reading about it. I’m channeling it myself, from writing about it.

It’s a mythical misconception that experienced actors, professional actors, don’t get nervous.

It is absolutely untrue that successful actors feel no pressure.  Far from it. They have other pressures, to perform up to par. Some have feelings of fraud, and having to prove they aren’t; or making sure that each performance is as good as the last. Or better.

There doesn’t have to be a reason. That energy exists just fine, without one. It also comes and goes on it’s own. (I’ve seen hand-trembling in some big stars, on-set.)

No matter what level the actor: if the glands still work, the adrenals still surge.

What makes it different for successful actors; is that they have had experience handling their nerves, they are actually used to working under high pressure with internal churning. But there’s more.

Professional actors not only accept that nervous energy.

Often, they have a different interpretation about it. Commonly, it’s a motivator for even better, more authentic, acting.

Dealing with the adrenaline surge about acting, before performance, has everything to do with perspective. And utilization. Successful actors can take that energy and use it, as an acting tool. A powerful tool.

These Oscar© Nominated Actors discuss actor fear, and their methods of dealing with it; using (nervy) energy:

• • • • Sandra Bullock
      • Jeff Bridges
      • Morgan Freeman
      • Woody Harrelson
      • Gabourey Sidibe
      • Carey Mulligan

Thanks to Newsweek for this video.

For more about the Academy Awards and Oscar© Nominated Actors, visit Oscar Prep  [...another Dana Kaminski Internet Jam].

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Best…

;~Dana

©Hollywood Actor Prep, Dana Kaminski

“Matt Damon Is A Journeyman [Actor].”

That’s what Morgan Freeman said, in the NY Times article that I quoted yesterday. One professional actor, commenting on the work of another. Dennis Lim, the author of the piece, considered what Freeman said about Damon, a compliment. Why, do you think, Lim recognized it as such?

–Click to  read referenced Hollywood Actor Prep post.–

Then, Morgan Freeman said, “He always gets the job done. There’s no strain in his work.”

For me, that’s huge. This simple sentence describes, in very few words, a very high level of quality, of acting. One of the rarest and finest attributes an actor can be able to pull off. Oddly, it’s one of those acting traits, that is assumed, expected; but that you rarely see, in performance. Not often noted, by critics, yet it doesn’t require an eye of a connoisseur. It sounds so simple, even the description is as simple as can be; yet, it is something that not only is not found often, and is very hard to do (!), but many actors don’t seem to be aware of this higher standard. Often, it doesn’t appear to be attempted.

Most actors, and I do mean, most; are very busy “acting”. Performing. With very visible “acting” and “performing”. The “acting-without-strain” that Freeman mentions, is a rarely talked-about, written-about discernment, but it’s profoundly different, in terms of acting artistry. In terms of quality of acting, complexity, and ability. It’s a subtle difference, perhaps, but very different.

There are two important effects that occur when there is “no strain”.  (I usually use another word: “seamless”.  Another term is un-self-conscious acting.)

It allows more room for the story. The script then becomes the central focus, rather than the acting, or the actor.  In order to get there, the actor has to honor the writer, the script and the story, the whole project, more than his or her own ego. (I could describe this with more finesse, I just don’t have time!  See prior post …)

I’d guess, that the audience is more involved, then, as well. Audience participation may be silent; but it is their active participation in the story, that is the goal of every production, any kind.

What do you think about Morgan Freeman’s statement? Comment here, tell me on Twitter…I’ll probably set up a forum soon, so we can get into this. I’ll write more throughout this week, too.

Best,

;~Dana

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