“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” - Lao Tzu
The biggest pratfall to fall into as an actor is in
comparing yourself with your peers. It is the surefire trap I walk into again
and again, and the industry is set up so these little mines are everywhere.
From who you train with to who you meet in the audition room to people you
probably will never meet or work with in your life. The temptation to compare
your life path that those that surround you is so overwhelming that you could
be doing it even unconsciously.
Example: I watched the Oscars about a week ago, like most
other young women without a date on a Sunday night.
I have never wanted I man purely for his looks but if the shoe fits...
I watched Jennifer Lawrence
win her Oscar for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, and only on her
second nomination. She is 22. The exact same age as me. In fact she is ONLY a
month older than me.
…
On the other hand would you ever catch Jennifer spouting Shakespeare both onstage and in vineyards and such? More than likely not. Would she like to give it a try? I can’t honestly say… But I would pay good money to see her give it a try.
Welcome to my world...
The point? I’ve used Jennifer as an unfair example, but the
point remains the same. There are times when I get really sad and depressed
when I try to compare myself to those around me. Those that I went through my
sequence with. Those whom I’ve met though my various auditions. Even people who
are NOT actors, like at all. I’m talking people I see at the grocery store. THE
DEEP FUNK CAN GO THAT PETTY PEOPLE!
To combat this though, some very important people have kept
my head on straight. They have pointed me back to the work that I am focusing on
and the things I can control. I will be a major part of a production this
summer, I get to work with some amazing people in multiple companies, I am cape
diem-ing the heck out of every opportunity that comes at me. Will the Oscar dream
ever come true… I honestly don’t know. But I do know that when that audition or
performance chance comes a knocking I will already be mid pounce.
Oh, and just to clarify, I adore Jennifer Lawrence. I think
anyone that can be that funny/grounded AND have the talent to back it up it my
kind of person. So Jen have your people call my people, and let’s do lunch.
Cheers!
Tamara
