Ask Questions!
I've always had somewhat of a knack for being approachable. I am not entirely sure what it is about me, but I have often had strangers tell me stories about their lives. I am sure this happens to most people from time to time, but for me it's almost a daily occurrence.
I spent two hours once at Starbucks listening to two elderly women tell me about their jobs at the Lay's potato chip factory prior to retirement- explaining in great detail how they got the job, what they did, the best part of their jobs, and how much things changed in their time there. It was interesting and unusual, and they told me things I never would have considered about life working in a potato chip factory. All of this with very little inquiry on my part.
I've been told by the woman at the deli counter at the supermarket about her previous work as a radio host, and her current studies in journalism, and why she chose to work at a supermarket instead of the radio station while she attended school. All of this without asking anything (actually, I did ask for a sample of cheese, but I feel that somehow is unrelated to the story she told me).
In classes at TA, one of our teachers had this theory that artists have this "energy" or "aura" about them that makes them just seem warm and approachable. I maintain a skeptical mind on auras and things of that nature, but regardless of the cause, I am appreciative of the stories I hear on a regular basis.
There is so much to learn about other peoples' lives. It is incredibly important to ask questions. Being open to these stories and really listening to what others have to say, their points-of-view, their lives, their motivations, their desires - this all can lend itself to your work as an actor. After all, in acting, you are sharing the point-of-view of a character totally different from you. There must always be a part of you in the character, and you find part of the character in yourself as well. Be open to other points-of-view. Allow new information to come.
Question everything. Especially yourself. You never know what you may learn.
I spent two hours once at Starbucks listening to two elderly women tell me about their jobs at the Lay's potato chip factory prior to retirement- explaining in great detail how they got the job, what they did, the best part of their jobs, and how much things changed in their time there. It was interesting and unusual, and they told me things I never would have considered about life working in a potato chip factory. All of this with very little inquiry on my part.
I've been told by the woman at the deli counter at the supermarket about her previous work as a radio host, and her current studies in journalism, and why she chose to work at a supermarket instead of the radio station while she attended school. All of this without asking anything (actually, I did ask for a sample of cheese, but I feel that somehow is unrelated to the story she told me).
In classes at TA, one of our teachers had this theory that artists have this "energy" or "aura" about them that makes them just seem warm and approachable. I maintain a skeptical mind on auras and things of that nature, but regardless of the cause, I am appreciative of the stories I hear on a regular basis.
There is so much to learn about other peoples' lives. It is incredibly important to ask questions. Being open to these stories and really listening to what others have to say, their points-of-view, their lives, their motivations, their desires - this all can lend itself to your work as an actor. After all, in acting, you are sharing the point-of-view of a character totally different from you. There must always be a part of you in the character, and you find part of the character in yourself as well. Be open to other points-of-view. Allow new information to come.
Question everything. Especially yourself. You never know what you may learn.
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