In my commercial workshops when actors watch their class videos, their first comment is what they didn’t like or what they want to do better, even though their progress is obvious to everyone in the room but them. It is difficult for most students to be objective about what they do correctly or what has improved.
People in general, but so many actors in particular, are super critical of themselves. This kind of tough critique, for most, undermines confidence and makes personal and craft growth really difficult. Even though it does not work for most, actors continue to impose it upon themselves.
What I strongly suggest, is after doing a scene in class, watching video of your work, interviewing, auditioning, or working a job, start your self-critique by objectively considering what you learned or did well. Next, determine just three things you could improve. Notice that I didn’t say what you did wrong. I believe this wording distinction is empowering to your confidence and building craft. Then, go home and practice what needs your attention in order to improve. By working on three things after every class, job, and/or audition, you’re constantly working in an empowering way on your acting and auditioning craft.
By focusing first on what was good and where there was growth, you can then build on these successes. If you don’t own them, there is nothing to build on. When you only find fault with what you do then you are always starting over. Don’t get me wrong, you must see what needs improvement in order to grow, but you must also see what has been accomplished. If you refuse to see what needs to be worked on then there can be no growth. True self-evaluation must be a combination of both self-acknowledgment and empowering critique.
When you work on what needs attention then you can be constantly improving, even when you don’t do your best in a particular situation. It is all about commitment. So take care of your ego and confidence and also do the work to keep developing your craft, audition, interview skills, and work discipline.
Self-acknowledgement is a muscle. The more you use it, the better you get at it. Also, truthfully acknowledging others serves to remind you about acknowledging yourself. Plus, it will make you feel good about supporting others. Self-acknowledgement is an acting and life muscle worth strengthening. Why not really work at it and make it a 2015 resolution.
For more specific commercial audition ad technique training, study my videos and vlogs. Then practice the techniques you will learn from them.
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