Backstage: For the last decade, Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio” has offered fascinating glimpses into how some of our greatest actors approach their craft. Here are 17 pieces of acting advice James Lipton has coaxed out of his fabulously talented guests.
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It’s one thing to take advice from someone who you don’t really know, because you don’t really pay attention. It’s another to get advice from someone who you look up to. Each one of the actor’s brought advice to the table that is not only relevant to actor’s and acting, but to almost any career you might go into. The one bit that Will Smith was in, was about making a statement, and the kind of statement he wanted to make was not for how big he could become, but to show his commitment to working at what he loves to do, by being the first one to show up and the last to leave. That goes hand in hand with what we do at this school. Are we not coming here to do what we love to do? As hard as these past four weeks have been, and I’m sure they will continue to be more difficult as time goes on, I will persevere in making sure that I work hard to become the best I can.
I love these reminders that these actors did not just have the world fall into their lap. So many people today look for ways to circumvent the hard work and commitment and failure that come before success, and hearing that these seemingly immortal A-listers were no exception to the ways of the world is simultaneously encouraging and intimidating. To look towards the future and know that obstacles are unavoidable, and that I don't know precisely where I will end up makes me feel small. But in the unknown lies the heart of all potential for success.
It is so encouraging and warming to see so many great and well known actors talking to students about these timeless and inspirational ways of thinking about what they do. In many ways acting is such a difficult and tiring job to take on because actors have to find comfort-ability in discomfort. They have to transform into somethings sometimes completely opposite of who they are or what they believe in. Not to mention the countless blows against your opinion, ideas, and ultimately who you are as a person that come with countless rejections at countless auditions, as George Clooney so greatly puts. As you can imagine, it is very easy to lose hope that your talent will ever be recognized at all. It is also very easy to lose your passion for what you thought you loved. I know I have, more than once.
There is something that strikes a chord in me though, in the way that Meryl Streep puts why she acts. I always thought I'd act for myself, I'd get myself in the moment and live there truthfully and if anyone wanted to watch, great. When she says she does it to give a voice to those characters that don't have one, it makes me wonder how greatly an actor can influence a culture, a generation, or even a single misunderstood kid. It inspires me to know and understand all types of situations and unheard stories in the world, and let my flesh and blood be a vessel for those stories, clawing and screaming to be heard. To be all that there is in the world and give that knowledge of experience and feeling to an audience.
Maybe I agree, or maybe its hard not to be desperate to cling onto the quotes of great idols as I search for a love of acting. As Dustin Hoffman says, playing it safe is the greatest sin there is, and I couldn't agree more. Why limit yourself when it could be so much more freeing to strip yourself of everyday life superficial behavior and tell someone how you really feel. The stage is so great because that is exactly what you get to do. You get to behave completely and utterly natural with absolutely no judgment and no worry of judging another, because it's all a "play." It's real and in the moment, and that's the best part about it. You get to experience "unacceptable" things, things you'd never feel comfortable doing outside of theatre and broaden who you are as a person so you can be the best, most original, intelligent, most awesome version of you.
Well, I think this comment has helped me find out why I like to act!
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