As actors, you may have to play characters you do not relate to in any way. You may feel this is difficult for you and challenging since you are passionate about your art, you really want to do your best and honor your characters with your truth. .
In order to sort this out, you may have tried to imitate your character, play a stereotype or figure out what this person looks like and what their energy is. In other words, you may get an idea of what this type of character is and just do that because you cannot find it inside of you.
Therefore, you will approach it from the outside. It might not feel great because it does not come from you. On the contrary, it may feel like forcing, imitating or doing a caricature of a human being. As a consequence of this, you might not feel much freedom or fulfillment. This can be really frustrating, especially if you want to lean into your creativity.
However, as human beings, if any of us can feel one way, all of us can feel that humanity too. For instance, if someone can be a killer, you can be a killer since the killer instinct is part of humanity. It does not mean we act on it, but it is inside of us. Regarding feelings, all of them are also inside of you: anger, sadness, happiness, etc. You are a whole human being.
Nevertheless, you may not have access to all of your humanity, although that’s your responsibility. Your job as an actor is to be able to cultivate an instrument that will be tuned and that will have access to all of its parts and energies. If you offer an instrument that is just the social, confident or people-pleasing part of you; unfortunately, you will give up to all the rest which is on the other side of the spectrum.
The work to do is to undo the conditioning that has raised you to behave, think and feel a certain way; so you can go back to the complete, authentic and free version of yourself, capable of feeling all of the things that any human can feel. Once you do this work, you will be able to embody and defend any type of character in any circumstance because it will come from you.
Watch the video below to hear all my thoughts on this topic.
After you watch the training, I'd love for you to join in the conversation happening in our private Facebook Group THE INSTINCTIVE ACTORS' SOCIETY. You can get answers for your specific situation directly from me and connect with THOUSANDS of like-minded actors across the globe, so we can move things forward faster together.
If you're not already a member, be sure to request to join ASAP here.
See you there!
Jo Kelly
Creator, The Reset Journey From Resistance to Freedom
P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are two ways I can help you:
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