Some acting truths
Acting is standing up naked and turning around very slowly, according to Rosalind Russell, one of the most successful American thespians in the ’50s.
Acting is the shiz. I’ve been a gun runner for international terrorists, a warring prince in some fantasy land, a surrogate father to switched babies, a loving brother to a gay adolescent, a legendary rock star by the name of Teddy Diaz — all in one lifetime.
Acting in television is a painstaking process. I have been blessed with two television shows, at the moment. My days are blocked off from Monday to Saturday. Marathon hours are something like this: you go to taping in Manila on Thursday, transfer to Subic the next day, work the whole day, go back to Manila at 5:30 a.m., just in time to make it to your 8 a.m. in Marikina. Did that make sense?
Acting is fast money. Especially if you have two shows. Some professionals even have three at one time. And there’s the out-of-town and out-of-country gigs that pay a lot more. Income in a single month can range from a second-hand car to a brand-new one fully paid. It is fast money — just be careful not to spend it in the same manner.
Being an actor has a lot of perks. You get extra attention from people in skirts. It gets you into clubs free of door charge. You also get free drinks if you meet the owner. I went to a restaurant once in Cagayan De Oro and they gave me a small cake. Of course, they spelled my name wrong.
Acting allows you to pursue other things. You’re not acting 365 days straight. Most of the time, it’s not even half of the year. That’s why a lot of celebrities go into business. A lot can maintain writing for a major newspaper. And a lot can waste time regularly updating a Twitter account. Ahem.
The acting industry should not have people like Carlo J. Caparas. I guested on one of his shows once and I got paid half of my normal rate. How much has he made from producing that lotto show? Over a billion pesos. My foot is a more deserving National Artist.
Acting in showbiz gives you credible information on gossip that “normal” people can only speculate about. Whether I admit it or not, I do like a little The Buzz fix from time to time.
Acting is always a personal process. Don’t take to unsolicited acting advice too quickly. There are a million methods to becoming an effective actor, but it all comes down to how well you can filter out the information. Throw away the trash. Keep only what works for you.
Acting is about acting all you can. Treat it like how you treat a big bowl of rice. Independent films. TV shows. Commercial movies. Theater. School plays. Workshops. Auditions. Your bathroom mirror. Yes, you will learn the basics from your mentors, like I did with my father. But experience has always been my greatest teacher. (Even seasoned thespians should go to auditions and workshops. It’s always good to stay sharp.)
Acting books should be more like The Power Of The Actor by Ivana Chubbuck. This book is highly recommended. If you want a lighter approach to acting, you know the guy who played Alfred the butler in the recent Batman films? Try beloved Hollywood actor Michael Cane’s Acting In Film — a fun read peppered with personal experience and wit.
Acting is about finding idols. Watch as many films and TV shows as you can. Follow the actors that blow your brains out. There’s so much you can learn just from watching these guys. Though never copy an actor or a performance, like say, Captain Jack Sparrow. Johnny Deep did not become Johnny Depp by copying James Dean.
Acting is about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It is about exposing what is real inside you, whether you like what you discover or not. It’s something we do sub-consiously every day, like whenever you think a person is fat, but you say the opposite thing. Acting is life.
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Want more unsolicited acting advice? http://twitter.com/PingMedina.
