Inspirations

The Importance of Acting in the 21st Century:

In the 21st century we find ourselves interacting with machines far more frequently than with our fellow citizens on the planet or even with family. When an actor truly reveals himself/herself in a role, the audience identifies with their experiences and often times are moved to feel emotions they have not felt in a very long time, or perhaps have never dared feel, let alone express. I think this is the gift that very fine actors today can give our emotionally stunted world.
In theatre or film, when an actor breathes life into a role, the audience believes the stories they are in. And telling our stories is important. The stories and the telling of them to an audience, is a very old, shared human experience that is essential. It holds a mirror up and allows us to see where our society is going and where it has been. These stories reveal our society's successes and failures, make comment, or simply entertain.
For these reasons, I think actors and what they do is important work. I have been fortunate to be involved with actors for close to thirty years, struggling with them to find how to make great performances happen. It takes a great deal of work to create what appears to be an effortless performance. But most of all it takes passion - a passion for expressing ideas, and a passion for telling stories.
My passion in life has been to seek ways of tapping into what makes a great performance, which then makes for great storytelling that sometimes can change the world.
Bernadette Jones/Teacher, Director, Acting Coach

"Great acting isn't safe. It should be shattering." Richard Harris

KNOW THE FACTS - KEEP THE PASSION ALIVE:

FACT: Every year the statistics come out regarding the percentage of actors who make a living solely at acting. That number is always 2%. It is always hard to believe that the percentage is so low. Actors need to know the facts and still try to make it happen.

FACT: There is no guarantee for actors, at least no guarantee of monetary success, which of course is not your only goal. But there is no formula: (A + B + C) = Successful Acting Career.

FACT: The dilemma about 'what it takes' to achieve the career you want is always going to be there. Your passion for acting must sustain you, but being pro-active, and finding ways of increasing the odds for success should also be considered. For example: it might be you need to work toward going to a larger market like LA or (in Canada) a less populated market like Vancouver vs Toronto if you have not established yourself to your satisfaction. Or if you are from less actor-populated centre in Canada and have built a substantial resume, perhaps it is time to move to Toronto. Be realistic and flexible. It is also a good idea to make plans for assessing your career in 3 / 5 / 10 year segments.

FACT: You will likely need to find ways to constantly feed your development and interest – classes, script reading, student and indie films, watching people on the street and taking notes, staying connected to your community and participating...anything and everything.

FACT: Most actors will likely need to find a way to sustain him/herself with regard to the practicalities of life – money for rent and basic living. So, an actor needs to find something else that they love to do in order to earn enough to sustain them. Try and find work in the other areas of interest in your life.

But always remember: "We get up everyday for our dreams, not reality."

FACT: A painting is never finished - the artist eventually stops applying paint and just walks away. A film is never completed, the editor/director says ‘that’s enough’ – done.

You as an artist/actor will never have a perfect performance. Some would go so far as to exclaim: ‘Perfection is death when applied to creative endeavours.’ I tend to agree. A performance is never perfected, the play and performance simply - end. Or in case of film acting, the director calls, “Cut! Let’s move on.” And you move onto the next shot. Sometimes never even getting the feedback that it was a job well done.

You, as an individual will continue to develop throughout your life. And you will also continue to develop as a performer. Isn’t that part of the appeal? Never being in a static state, instead, always inventing and finding new ways of expressing yourself?

Keep yourself nourished and keep growing – that is the healthy thing to do when we think of living as an artist. Know in your heart that it is you who knows when you have done the work and executed it to the best of your ability – and when you do, congratulate yourself and say, “Job well done!”

Bernadette Jones/Teacher, Director, Acting Coach


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	Inspirations The Importance of Acting in the 21st Century: In the 21st century we find ourselves interacting with machines far more frequently than with our fellow citizens on the planet or even with family. When an actor truly reveals himself/herself in a role, the audience identifies with their experiences and often times are moved to feel emotions they have not felt in a very long time, or perhaps have never dared feel, let alone express. I think this is the gift that very fine actors today can give our emotionally stunted world. In theatre or film, when an actor breathes life into a role, the audience believes the stories they are in. And telling our stories is important. The stories and the telling of them to an audience, is a very old, shared human experience that is essential. It holds a mirror up and allows us to see where our society is going and where it has been. These stories reveal our society's successes and failures, make comment, or simply entertain. For these reasons, I think actors and what they do is important work. I have been fortunate to be involved with actors for close to thirty years, struggling with them to find how to make great performances happen. It takes a great deal of work to create what appears to be an effortless performance. But most of all it takes passion - a passion for expressing ideas, and a passion for telling stories. My passion in life has been to seek ways of tapping into what makes a great performance, which then makes for great storytelling that sometimes can change the world. Bernadette Jones/Teacher, Director, Acting Coach "Great acting isn't safe. It should be shattering." Richard Harris KNOW THE FACTS - KEEP THE PASSION ALIVE: FACT: Every year the statistics come out regarding the percentage of actors who make a living solely at acting. That number is always 2%. It is always hard to believe that the percentage is so low. Actors need to know the facts and still try to make it happen. FACT: There is no guarantee for actors, at least no guarantee of monetary success, which of course is not your only goal. But there is no formula: (A + B + C) = Successful Acting Career. FACT: The dilemma about 'what it takes' to achieve the career you want is always going to be there. Your passion for acting must sustain you, but being pro-active, and finding ways of increasing the odds for success should also be considered. For example: it might be you need to work toward going to a larger market like LA or (in Canada) a less populated market like Vancouver vs Toronto if you have not established yourself to your satisfaction. Or if you are from less actor-populated centre in Canada and have built a substantial resume, perhaps it is time to move to Toronto. Be realistic and flexible. It is also a good idea to make plans for assessing your career in 3 / 5 / 10 year segments. FACT: You will likely need to find ways to constantly feed your development and interest – classes, script reading, student and indie films, watching people on the street and taking notes, staying connected to your community and participating...anything and everything. FACT: Most actors will likely need to find a way to sustain him/herself with regard to the practicalities of life – money for rent and basic living. So, an actor needs to find something else that they love to do in order to earn enough to sustain them. Try and find work in the other areas of interest in your life. But always remember: "We get up everyday for our dreams, not reality." FACT: A painting is never finished - the artist eventually stops applying paint and just walks away. A film is never completed, the editor/director says ‘that’s enough’ – done. You as an artist/actor will never have a perfect performance. Some would go so far as to exclaim: ‘Perfection is death when applied to creative endeavours.’ I tend to agree. A performance is never perfected, the play and performance simply - end. Or in case of film acting, the director calls, “Cut! Let’s move on.” And you move onto the next shot. Sometimes never even getting the feedback that it was a job well done. You, as an individual will continue to develop throughout your life. And you will also continue to develop as a performer. Isn’t that part of the appeal? Never being in a static state, instead, always inventing and finding new ways of expressing yourself? Keep yourself nourished and keep growing – that is the healthy thing to do when we think of living as an artist. Know in your heart that it is you who knows when you have done the work and executed it to the best of your ability – and when you do, congratulate yourself and say, “Job well done!” Bernadette Jones/Teacher, Director, Acting Coach