I Think I've Decided To Quit Acting- Page 2

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 7:12pm

Singing well is a gift. Nobody can become Kristin Chenoweth from classes. I think performing is something that comes naturally to people who really are comfortable performing . People say anyone can act but everyone can't do it well. To really connect with something you are doing you have to really be able to let your emotions pour out.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 9:26pm

I know I was in a horribly depressed state when I wrote this, but...I don't know...I think the words are coming back to haunt me. I don't feel like I have what it takes to be a truly great actor. It's all this stage fright bull****. I don't know. It's all inside and it will not come out; no matter how many classes I take, no matter how many shows I try out for.

[tmm_fan]

Posted: 7/28/07 at 2:44pm

Any good vocal coach will tell you that it is not the natural talent, but the "passion," that will get you far. Same with acting. If ever somebody says that you cannot do this or are limited, walk away. My current conservatory music teacher (who, among other things, was Michelle Pfeiffer's vocal coach for the musical re-make of Hairspray, the coach for an actress in the film version of Dreamgirls, teacher at ACT in San Francisco, etc) says that he has met students who get to a point, gain a big head, and do not advance any further bacause they think they can do anything ... they never break out of a character, you know? He told of a student who played young Cosette in Les Mis, got a huge ego from people saying how good she was, and even at 18, could never break from that role because she would not allow herself to improve.

She did not have the passion.

You can "never" stop improving; keep saying this. The only one limiting you is you.

Updated On: 7/28/07 at 02:44 PM

[Gaby]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:55am

If you have stage fright try to read books about it, they tell you how to release that feeling, i've read many books and it works, at least for me.

[Pasty]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 10:44pm

Quit.

[tmm_fan]

Posted: 8/1/07 at 5:19am

My vocal teacher said something great today (which is so true and explains why I have both witnessed and read about students going from seemingly talentless to wonderful in relatively short amounts of time): the definition of talent is having an interest in something and being really passionate about it.

That is all performing is ... nobody was automatically born a great actor or with more advanced vocal chords lol. What they "were" born with was this amazing passion; and then they used that passion to become an extremely awesome and talented performer ... ie Michael Ball, Kristin Chenoweth, Judy Garland, Liza, Sam Harriss, Billy Porter, etc.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/1/07 at 10:08am

I would not totally agree with that. There are some people that are passionate about singing that can't even carry a tune. Look at William Hung!

[tmm_fan]

Posted: 8/1/07 at 11:43am

He was never passionate about singing lol

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/1/07 at 12:08pm

Finally.

[Ingenue]

Posted: 8/1/07 at 1:17pm

so much apart of this industry is rejection. Someone's opinion of you is the deciding factor if you get the job or not. If it's what you love and can't get enough of, you won't be able to quit.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 8/6/07 at 7:59pm

i guess the biggest problem is that i really don't know where to start. there really is no "handbook" for actors.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 1:53am

Snump!

[redheaded]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 2:45am

There are tons of handbooks for actors, just go to your local bookstore everyone seems to have something to say about acting and breaking into the business. "True and False" by David Mamet is interesting, you should check it out.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 6:43am

Cruel, I feel like that all the time-- that I'm not good enough and I'd be better off quitting. But it seems like theatre is something really important to you, and quitting would just upset you more. You don't need to be the best person out there to continue having a good time in theatre. And you WILL improve.

Just don't let anyone tell you you're hopeless. I have a friend who loved to sing but was completely tone deaf, but he gradually and painstaking worked on his voice until he became a great singer.

I think it's funny that Michael Ball would be used as an example of what you can be with training, since he's a wonderful singer who happens to be almost completely untrained. He's an example of a singer whose passion for what he does got him so far, not his training.

So don't be too hasty to say you're going to quit! Just look at Joaquin Phoenix!

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 7:16am

"Tips: Ideas for Actors" by Jon Jory

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:20pm

I hear you. It's frustrating trying to deal with rejection and insecurities. But then you have those great moments that make you not want to quit. Do whatever feels right.

[vivian_loves_bway]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 1:56pm

Really late but:

Hello, what the F are you doing?

Sorry for that,but it had to be said.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 3:04pm

I'm doing F-sharp! Thanks for asking!

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 3:08pm

LOL oh Schmergy, you're still the wittiest teenager ever

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 3:13pm

Let me say this. NOT EVERYONE IS AN ACTOR. Just because all humans have emotions doesn't mean they can act. Some people don't have strong imaginations, they can't make acting choices at all, and are not willing to be vulnerable and take risks.

There's a reason why there's a million more jobs out there...(Oh wait, no there's not...economy joke haaa)

I'm just saying, if you can't decide if you're good or not, chances are you aren't and you should pursue other things. The theatre world is not for those with doubts.

Also, if you have really bad stage fright...don't pursue acting as a career. Use theatre as an outlet to open yourself up to being outgoing and meeting new people. By all means, do theatre to have fun. But if you can do other things...do those things. Leave the audition spots to those who can only do one thing, which is perform.

Sorry bout it. haha

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:02am

This post has been haunting me for days. I've been thinking about where I stood then to where I stand now. And I realized that, while theater and acting are a huge part of my soul, I think my interests may lie more within the realm of performance art and voice-acting than conventional stage acting and singing.

I am definitely in a better head-space than I was two years ago.

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:22am

Acting as a career is for those who simply bleed and sweat theatre through their pores, those who wonder why anybody could possibly want to do anything else. People who step on stage and feel at home. People who jump at and down with joy upon seeing a cast list posted. People who during the curtain call are just thinking "Oh my GOD, there is no where else I would ever want to be than right here..right now..in this moment."
*tear*
Now if only our Orlando will get over his case of Mono so we can get on with our show!

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:29am

I think, acting-wise, if I could do what Tom Green or Sacha Baron Cohen do, I would be a happy camper.

[wizard2joe]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:40am

If you lie and if they believe you ur acting
(random)
i just had to put that in.
lmao

What happens to you when u get stage fright?
it usaully dont happen to me but when i do get stage fright my right legs starts shaking and i sweat alot
it sux
anyhow im sure lots of people get stage fright so im sure ur not the only one.

Anyways for singing you just need to practice and have passion like what other people say.
You usaully sing better when you have lots of feeling in what u r singing

[faithzilla]

Posted: 2/20/09 at 6:15pm

Just for the record, I think every theatre person I've known has claimed they are giving up at some point. I certainly have.
If you love it and it's really meant to be, you'll come back. You'll realize you can't do anything else.

Oh, and READ THIS.
www.jackplotnick.com