Actors=Risktakers
There are basically two kinds of actors: Those who risk and
those who don't risk.
No-risk actors follow a safe path of risk avoidance. Their low
tolerance of uncertain, possibly negative results, keeps them
safe from any rejection. They prefer to avoid any negativity or
criticism by not risking a personal character choice. They want
only to hear what is good and positive without having to go
through the pulse pounding effect of challenging their status
quo. They avoid any kind of challenge that might mean failing.
Actors, who duck risking, lack artistic courage. Their auditions
and presentations are predictably bland. They act the words of
the script or sides, not the story of the character. They fear
an unknown outcome. As a result these actors are not engaging or
interesting to watch. These actors take a step or two in a
slightly risky direction, but usually fall back to their safe,
predictable position.
On the other hand, an actor who is a risktaker, challenges
himself and others constantly. They expose their feelings and
ideas risking negative outcomes, such as tough critiques, bad
reviews or failed auditions, by presenting unique personal
character presentations. These choices mean that these actors
must reveal some personal trait or quality or some unusual idea
or thought.
An actor who is constantly a risktaker is not only affecting but
also exciting to watch, because they are never satisfied and are
always digging for more. They experiment and explore different
character presentations, as well as, challenging what they have
learned or been directed to do.
These actors tend to leap first, and then look afterwards. They
make a risk-laden choice, present it and question it afterward.
Risk-taking actors are alive and in turn, enliven an audience.
They seem to only comply with an inner drive to follow personal,
affecting choices.
All life is a risk. Risking love is to risk being hurt. Trying
something new is to risk failure. Exposing personal feelings is
to risk exposing one's true self. A full life is filled with
risk and loss and victory. You can't win or lose without risk.
Not every audition will be successful. Not every review will be
full of praise. Not every choice will be well received. But -
and always listen to everything after the "but" - to not risk
means that you will be like all the other actors with risk
avoidance. And, there are an overwhelming number of these actors.
Actors who risk are special, memorable and working.
Which kind of actor are you?