When I was a little boy growing up in Chicago, I used to play make-believe. I would pretend to be James Bond, the man who foils the evil plans of Spectre while driving the coolest cars in the world. Sadly, I didn’t grow up to be a secret agent—but I did become a talent agent, so I’ve got that going for me!
Over the years, I’ve sat in on a lot of acting classes, and here’s what I’ve learned: When you strip away all the craft and technique, you’re left with grown-ups who are still playing make-believe. Christian Bale as Dick Cheney? Olivia Colman as Queen Anne? They’re just two adults pretending to be someone they’re not. I want you to keep that in mind as I present you with some homework for the new year.
Let’s do an exercise: Using all that you’ve learned as an actor, I’d like you to cast yourself in the role of “industry professional.” I’m talking about the people you’re constantly approaching about something you need. Pretending to be one of them will help you understand how they think, and that might help you win their support. Take me, for instance: your basic Hollywood agent, but much better looking. Pretend you’re me and you’re taking a meeting with you. What do you expect to see? A well-rounded, likable human being who knows how to have a normal conversation? Or a fragile, needy performer who reeks of desperation? To be frank: Only one of these actors has a chance at getting signed.
READ: Thinking About Quitting Acting? Here Are Some Things to Consider
Now pretend you’re an agent who just happened to watch you perform in a play and is mingling in the lobby after the show. Would you like to get cornered about representation by an actor you’ve never met, or would you rather have an insightful chat about the play with someone from the cast? Only one of these people will be remembered fondly in the future.
For scenario No. 3, pretend you’re a casting director who’s watching you walk into the room. What do you hope to see? A confident performer who’s ready to book a job, or an insecure actor afraid of making the wrong impression? Only one of these actors has a shot at getting hired.
And for a final one, pretend you’re the star of a successful TV series and you just finished shooting a scene with you. What would you enjoy more during the break: an inappropriate request from a guest star actor who wants to be referred to your reps, or a sincere compliment about an obscure film you did that no one ever mentions? Only one of these approaches might lead to a real connection with future benefits.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “empathy” as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another...without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.” If you ask me, that’s just a fancy-pants way of describing make-believe. That means we all have the ability to be empathetic. It’s part of our DNA.
So there’s your homework for the new year! I want you to get in touch with your inner child and start playing pretend. It shouldn’t be too hard. After all, you’re an actor. That’s what you’re good at, right?
Ready to get cast? Check out Backstage’s Los Angeles audition listings!
