I’ve been a huge “Star Wars” fan for as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact, “Star Wars” played a huge part in my desire to become an actor. Yoda, in particular, was a huge influence for me with the wisdom he imparted on the promising padawans in their journey to become Jedi.
Yoda’s quotes not only offered me great acting advice but also timeless wisdom about life. Wondering how the Jedi Master can help take your acting to the next level? Here are five of my favorite Yoda quotes that can help you with your acting.
1. “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
When I was a younger actor, one of my biggest issues was the inability to make a definitive choice on and offscreen. The problem was, I just wasn’t confident in my choices. There was always the energy of try instead of do.
Imagine being in a scene. You get the nudge to make a particular creative choice and you only give it 50% of your conviction. This would be the energy of trying. Yoda understood that trying is just hoping as opposed to having complete faith in yourself and your decision. There’s no way he would’ve been able to raise Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing out of the swamp if he didn’t have 100% faith in his choice. This was the energy of doing.
This is a great lesson that teaches us that mixed efforts get mixed results. But when the decision is definitive, we set ourselves up to succeed. When the opportunity comes to make a bold choice, ask yourself a simple question: Which choice can I get behind 100%? You’ll know just by how it feels. Follow what feels good to you and follow it without hesitation or doubt. You’ll astonish yourself with the outcome.
Mark Hamill Is Just As Self-Conscious As You Are Watching His First ‘Star Wars’ Audition 2. “Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing.”
Here Yoda was stressing to Luke how important it is to be in the moment. Yoda felt that a lack of mindfulness was reckless when the task at hand requires immense focus and concentration. He couldn’t be more right with his observation. There have been so many times as an actor I’ve looked ahead to the next role instead of diving completely into the present role. In hindsight, I realize what I missed out on because I was somewhere else in my head while my dream was unfolding right before my eyes.
Whenever I’m on set, between scenes, I’ll set an alert that reminds me to take as much time as I need to be present and grateful for what’s unfolding for me as a performer right now. This not only makes you feel amazing, but it increases your awareness of all the fantastic things going on around you. Your acting will become more effective when you’re always present in the moment.
3. “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.”
Losing is a state of mind. A state of mind that’s only caused by another state of mind, fear. So when we take those out of the equation, you’ve absolutely nothing to lose.
I used to get so hard on myself whenever I wouldn’t book a role, but then I realized something. Even when you don’t book a role, you can learn something helpful. Some auditions were instrumental in my growth as an actor. Some auditions were teaching me how to let go of everything I feared to lose. I auditioned for the “Coming to America” sequel and got put on avail. It was such a thrilling experience, I began to think about what I would say to Eddie Murphy when I met him on set. But something else happened. I became attached to the role and it drove me crazy. Checking my email, voicemail, and text messages to see if I had anything from my agent. Honestly, it was a mess until I remembered Yoda’s message: “Let go of everything you fear to lose.”
It immediately gave me the insight to just let go and enjoy how far I’d gone up to that point. Sometimes we get so fixated on booking that we lose sight of the other things that are present for our enjoyment. When I was able to do that, I found that I didn’t need to be in every project, but only the ones that truly fit me and my character type. Every time I audition for something, I have a blast and try to learn something.
Feel the Force by Auditioning for These Disney + Sci-Fi Projects 4. “You must unlearn what you have learned.”
A great mentor of mine once told me, “Whenever you learn something that no longer serves you, you must unlearn it.” This couldn’t be truer in acting. I remember one of the first acting classes I ever took was more of a robotics movement class than that of performance. It felt so unnatural that I knew something wasn’t right.
Not long after, I went to audition for an indie film and put those same techniques to the test. Thankfully, the director was such an understanding guy. I did my first take and then he smiled at me and said, “Shaun, I can see your talent but your technique is getting in the way. So here’s what I want you to do. Throw it out the window! I’m just one of your buddies.” I took his advice and it was like I stepped out of an alternate dimension. I booked that day.
That director changed the course of my career. I think back on how frustrating it would have been if I went to every audition like a lost robot. Unlearning what I had learned was enabling me to evolve into the performer that I knew I could be. What have you learned that could potentially be holding you back? Take a real good introspective look at your career. There may be something you’re doing that needs to be unlearned. It’s nothing personal. It’s just the growth that’s essential if you’re going to realize your highest potential as an actor.
5. “Already know you that which you need.”
I saved this quote for last because this quote will give you the greatest confidence. You know what you need as an actor. Now you just have to tap into it and go after what feels best for you.
Throughout the “Star Wars” series, you hear the Jedi, as well as the Sith, say “search your feelings.” The reason this is so significant is because your feelings will reveal what’s right for you and your acting career. Whether it be about attending a certain acting class, auditioning for a particular project, or signing with an agent or manager, how you feel will always indicate the best path for you. The question should always be, “What is the next best step for me as an actor?” Taking stock of your feelings and taking things one step at a time is always best because this ensures that you don’t get overwhelmed when you think about all that needs to get done. One day you will look back and marvel at the progress that you’ve made by doing this.
Yoda has taught me so much over the years and I always discover new wisdom every time I watch one of the “Star Wars” films or television shows. May the Force be with you in your acting always!
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