I will be going to sleep tonight feeling a tad unsuccessful and intimidated. Argggguugh.
I saw New Moon this weekend... twice. Once with Michaella and once with my sisters. It was a little much the 2nd time around but oh so delicious non-the-less. I don't really want to delve into a movie discussion but rather talk about something that now is bothering me...I got thinking about it after watching New Moon:
ACTING
In my opinion, Taylor Lautner and Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart all are NOT the most amazing actors. They're really not. They get the job done but its not like they're going to go on and be recognized for their phenomenal acting skills. I think that's how it is for most movies and TV shows etc. Especially in the teen genre. So I was just thinking about my life and future career and my MAJOR...which consequently is theatre/acting. And I just kind of thought well shit. How is this all going to work out?!
There are so many kids who I've met who tell me that they are theatre majors and I am kind of surprised...I don't want to be a total jerk right now but there are some people who think that they are going to make their living acting and I just feel like somebody should SHAKE them and say "NO. That is not the path for you!" And then I think,
"Am I one of those kids???"
I've been told I'm talented and should pursue my gifts and should go to New York etc etc etc and in the moment it's like "Yea! I should! You're right! This is what I want!" and then you realize: This was my high school musical. A high school with like 200 kids. 60 of which I graduated with....In Minnesota. And these people are my friend's parents. And total strangers who may or may not have anything to compare me too.
{I have a friend who told me he once got a personal note from Joe Dowling (Director at the Guthrie) raving about his skills and his future career etc and I'm like, now THAT is a reputable source! Something to base your insights on! Talk about a confidence BOOSTER.}
Do you know what I mean? Like the people who audition on American Idol who honest to god believe that they are talented because they love singing and have been told that they're good...Just to be slammed into the cold hard pavement of REALITY.
*Now I'm guessing it sounds like I'm having a little Catherine pity party and holding open the door for compliments and reassurance, but I assure you, that is NOT what I'm looking for. I think I'm having a quarter-life crisis. More like mid-quarter life crisis.
talk about D-RAMA
After googling "acting" (yes, it has gone that far), I found an interview with Joan Rivers and she said something to the effect of "if you are 'thinking' about whether or not you should get into this business, Don't. This isn't a choice, its a calling. "
But JOAN! How do you know?!? Where is the GUIDANCE?? Is this like the whole "you just KNOW when you're in love" crap????
Well then F My L folks because for me, it doesn't seem that easy...
Catherine! I really want to message you about this or something. I mean, as a friend who is myself going into acting, and came from the same high school, and was in the same college as you and has thought about the same things... I'd be more than happy to chit-chat about it if you wanted.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with the Joan Rivers quote btw. There's like no question in my mind what I want to do, and the more I learn (and I learn more about it every week) the more I know that if you want to do theater, it has to be a calling, because it's really hard. To quote my director/acting teacher/head of the drama department here, "It's not digging ditches, but it's *really* hard work."
Anywho, I'll stop before I get carried away! I hope you're not still having such a crisis over it!
Cheers!
~Thomas Sorensen