Almost every actor I’ve coached has the same challenge.
They wake up with this challenge everyday. Some days they know the answer like their own name.
The next day is filled with doubts.
What is the challenge that actors face almost every day?
* What sort of actor am I?
*What kind of actor do I want to become? There are a number of types of actors.
First there’s the thespian.
The actor who loves the live audience. These actors crave the challenge of going onstage in front of real people. The more intimacy the better. If you happen to forget a line there’s no retake. You must depend on your scene partner to cover for you.
Second is the film actor. The actor who loves being on camera. They love the thought of being seen on the big screen, even if it’s working as a background artist. The pace is extremely demanding and often requires many retakes and unlike a theatre performance, it can be seen by future audiences 50 years later.
Third is a Voice over artist. These actors like to remain anonymous breathing life into cartoon characters, industrial commercials or video gaming.
The fourth type of actor is the stand up comedian.
These people love the idea of breaking the fourth wall and meeting their audience face to face. It’s a skill that doesn’t come without much trial an error.
Robin Williams once said that his favorite times were making people laugh on stage.
So how do you know what type of actor you are? What kind you want to shoot for?
Begin by knowing yourself.
*What makes you smile?
*Where do you love to perform?
*What type of character do you love to play?
*What role would you play for free?
**The more intimately you know yourself, the easier it will be to choose the type of acting career you should pursue.
Discover yourself first, don’t rely on others to discover you.
David Thompson
