How good are you?
Seriously. Think about it.
Most of the actors I meet aren’t talented enough to compete for mainstream roles. They have the basic skills but that’s about it. And mediocrity is a fast ticket to nowhere.
How can they improve? The answer is always the same. Stay in class. Study. Get better. That’s solid advice, but here’s the rub: There are a lot of struggling actors out there who have been training for years without showing much improvement. Why is that? The answer is simple: They don’t know how to study.
The bottom line is that there’s a right way and a wrong way to study acting. (Or anything.)
Let’s start with the class you’re in. Next time you’re there, take a look around. Are the other students better than you? Or are you the top dog? The right class is the one where you’re the least talented person in the room. You should feel slightly uncomfortable, like you’re being challenged on every level. True learning begins outside your comfort zone.
And you should give some thought to your teacher. It should be someone you respect, not fear. A person who understands your strengths and limitations. And most importantly, the right teacher has to be someone you can talk to without feeling uncomfortable.
READ: The Sign of a Good Acting Teacher
Now let’s go deeper.
Once you find the right class and teacher, you have to give some consideration to your scene partners. Who you work with and how you work with them can make all the difference. And there are two ways to go here.
First, figure out who the most gifted student in the room is. Then go and introduce yourself. Explain how much you admire their talent. See if they’re willing to work with you. Trust me. There isn’t an actor in the world who won’t respond well to a little flattery.
Depending on who you are as a person, this might involve an ego check. We don’t like thinking someone is better than us. Or that we have a lot to learn. If that’s the case, get over it. Ego is your enemy.
READ: The 10 Most Influential Acting Teachers in History
Second, figure out who the worst student in the room is. I’m talking about the actor who just doesn’t get it. Approach this person too and see if they’ll work with you. The key is to find a way to help them improve. Why? Because one of the best ways to learn is by teaching.
If you want to be truly talented, work with actors who are better than you and help those who aren’t. That way, you’re constantly learning about what you know and what you don’t.
When I was starting out, I was in the training program at a blockbuster agency. I’m talking about the kind of company that has three initials as its name. My first move was to lobby for a desk with a top agent, someone I respected and would make a great mentor. My second move was to help the assistant in the next station because man, that poor bastard just wasn’t getting it. And by lending a hand, it helped me understand my strengths and limitations. Two years later, I was promoted and I became a real agent.
The way to becoming great is by learning and teaching at the same time.
For more acting advice, head over to Backstage’s YouTube channel!
