An aging ham ponders life
I was at a presentation just recently, talking with a fellow actor about the change that occurs when you are "on-camera", or "on-stage". Something I, and I think most actors, can relate to. There is a strange transformation that takes place the moment you either walk on stage, or the director screams "ACTION!" It is... Continue Reading →
Lee Sheppard suggested that I write a post on "When to say 'No'." Based on another suggestion for a blog post, I address the matter of when to say no. As Lee was not specific in his suggestion, I will take it as saying no to a show, or a role. Now, why should this... Continue Reading →
I question I have been asked, and I am sure has been asked of many an actor, or even public speaker, is "How can you do that?" Usually quickly followed with "I'd be too scared." Usually some derivative of this discussion follows when you introduce yourself as an actor to "non-actors", and I use that... Continue Reading →
I recall a TV show (Forgiving Dr. Mengele) about an elderly Jewish lady (Eva Mozes Kor) who went on a journey through her own childhood and her time in Nazi concentration camps. As a child, she witnessed the horrors of the genocide of her people, and the death of her parents. She returned to the... Continue Reading →
Following on from my previous posts about selfishness and control, I toyed with a few follow up ideas to talk about. One of these is about expectations. I have formed my own opinions about expectations and I don't see such opinions being echoed much elsewhere, so this may be in conflict with mainstream dialogue, and... Continue Reading →
We have all heard it, and I am sure many of you have even said this once or twice. Heck, I know I have said it myself some years back... *cough*. I have heard it many times within the domain of theatre where rivalries, jealousies, back-stabbing and gossiping can often develop in unhealthy levels. It... Continue Reading →
An actor does not, and cannot work in isolation. What good is an actor who is writer, director and audience also? An actor needs an audience, be it live in a theatre, or via delayed telecasting (i.e. film and tv,) because that is what an actor does his craft for. You're not an actor without... Continue Reading →
As an actor, I have made the conscious decision to try any sort of role. Very recently I was asked to help out with a style of show that once I may have simply walked away from. That was then, a time when I found discomfort too confrontational and best avoided. A time when I... Continue Reading →
I think we should all be more selfish. Now that sounds wrong, so let me try and put a little context around it. We should do things because we want to more often than because someone else wants us/expects us to, because it make us feel good about ourselves. Let's call this positive selfishness, or... Continue Reading →
Reflection of a Ham 