In a previous journal entry, I mentioned my challenges with the commercial acting style, from smiling for an entire line to contorting my face so that the correct emotion is unmistakable. These elements are still abnormal and something I continue to reflect on outside of class. My reflections and this week's session pushed me to sit with myself and focus on these areas. As actors, we must remember how to use these hurdles to become more confident in our craft. This journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
However, it does not make the process any more straightforward. What makes it even more complex is how clearly Barry can see this struggle and does not hesitate to call it out in front of the class(for your benefit). When he gives feedback that I need to be over-the-top or have a bigger smile through a line, it feels like I am fighting with my body. I want to take his advice and run with it, but subconsciously I can still not remove those self-placed barriers. This causes me to put immense pressure on everything I do and makes me lose sight of the fact that I am still a beginner. We all have to crawl before we can walk, and this week reminded me of that.
As the class continued, many of us struggled to remember every word in each of the scripts. When Barry realized this would not stop anytime soon, he paused class to remind everyone to relax and remember it is better to push forward than restart if you mess up one word. He went on to make a point similar to one Ani gave - this time is not about memorization. Casting directors are not looking for robots; they want a natural performance. Focusing too much on ensuring you make zero mistakes with the script can result in a monotone performance. If the script you read concerns the difficulty of buying your partner flowers, you must sell that feeling. It is okay to forget a word if you understand the deeper emotions of the script. Outside of a branded tagline or phrase, focusing on these emotions will more often than not be what the casting director is looking for.
So, if it was not already apparent, class this week was a struggle. I'm sure many of you have felt this way in a class or audition. What can we do? Personally, reminding myself that this is a lifelong journey that does not need a deadline proves to be ever so helpful. No matter how hard a day can be, showing up and giving your best effort will always yield a positive result. Also, remember to lean on your friends or classmates. This does not have to be a solo journey. Supporting one another should be the standard, not the exception.
If you take one thing from this entry, let it be this. With everything that a commercial actor must juggle, you need to remember one thing: You are a salesman. While you try your best to give an authentic performance and tell a story, you must sell the audience at the end of the day. While narrative and traditional projects may cast you for your acting talent alone, commercial casting