“First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill
“They are all discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.” Francis Bacon
“The Possible’s slow fuse is lit by the imagination.” Emily Dickinson
Why can’t we imagine having it all? We can. Just not all at the same time.
How does Meryl Streep do it? Well, I did notice she chose to make some really lousy movies just so she could stay closer to home. I wonder if her children appreciate those choices? And Madonna? Business woman, Rock Star . . . and mother? But can she cook? No. “Not one of my talents,” she told Entertainment Weekly recently. And yet she promises her son, “just as soon as this tour is over, I’ll cook for you.” How many compromises are made each day Balance, Rhythm, Power as we organize our thoughts into ideas, formulate a plan and begin to turn those plans into reality?
Mark Ruffalo recently talked about what he’s discovered as the key happiness in Hollywood (and anywhere else, I would think): BALANCE “What is happiness other than a negotiation between reality and your dreams?“
Have you ever noticed a certain RHYTHM to the universe? We can feel the energy and electricity of a full moon (there’s a “new” moon tonight as I launch this blog – traditionally a good time to start something new — or get your hair cut); we notice the synchronicity of timing (attributing it to “luck”) when something (or someone) seemingly “falls in your lap;” and we frustratingly also notice when whatever we try to accomplish gets hit with continual roadblocks. My personal mantra? Relax. Let go. Stay healthy, flexible, find the laughter in the moment . . . and keep moving forward. There’s POWER in that feeling of freedom.
Amy Jo Berman, former HBO Casting Director, lays out a game plan for actors to accomplish what she terms, “level-jumping.” I did it when I left Pippin to pursue “straight acting,” and I find myself doing it again as I continually strive to “expand my skill set” by carving out new areas of expertise. All the while dancing on Broadway, I was studying acting with Wynn Handman. Now, while technically unemployed, I find myself creating my own work (and helping others create theirs) sometimes as a producer, sometimes writing (mostly blogs) and all the while refining my broadcast and audiobook skills (watch for a fun title by Olyve Hallmark, one of our Rehearsal Club women, who penned a fun mystery TV – Live or Dead). I also just started recording young adult novels for Learning Ally. You have a good book you’d like me to record? Find me.
Amy Jo lays out her 3-step plan to the process of level-jumping:
1. CREATE A NETWORK – social media is an amazingly powerful tool (finding former fans of GL has been especially surprising and gratifying), but one to be used judiciously, cautions Amy. “Offer something of value, make someone laugh” and don’t waste precious time w/BS. SAG-AFTRA’s recent newsletter encourages its members to “Educate, Engage and Empower.” How do we do that? Join groups of like-minded peers in person and through the internet. A wealth of information is right at all our fingertips. All we have to do is fearlessly “educate” ourselves; “engage” proactively to inspire; and “empower” yourself to attract your heart’s desire. Looking forward to making The Articulate Theatre Company my home base for working with playwrights. Watch for our upcoming evening, Circling Back, honoring Circle Rep’s “rippling effect,” having inspired other groups to work as an ensemble, bringing playwrights and actors together to build art.
2. EXPAND YOUR SKILL SET – I happen to LOVE learning new. One of the reasons Guiding Light was so exciting for me was because I’d never worked in TV. I knew how to make a scene work on stage, but creating character over time, being able to focus attention away from all the distractions on a set, that was a whole new skill set. Later, when theatrical unemployment got the best of me, it was actually exciting to find a whole new arena in corporate law. I was again constantly learning new skills and unconsciously applying theater skills to creating a whole new character — without a camera recording my every move. How do those reality shows, do it? Beyond my skill set, that’s for sure. Today, as a senior, I continue to learn new and have been asked to share what I’ve learned along the way about social media at the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory this Fall. As it turns out, I was the only “twit that tweets” in a room full of union performers of a certain age. You looking to learn? Find me. I’ll be glad to help you.
3. CREATE AN EXPANSIVE, ABUNDANT MINDSET: I’ve always been a glass half full kinda gal. “Abundance” in my mind, comes with family; it comes with friends; it comes with gratefully being vested in order to draw pension plus social security — allowing more freedom of choice. It comes with trusting the universe that opportunity will once again knock and you will be prepared to walk thru the door — without fear — knowing you’ve taken the time to continually adjust and adapt to the changing world around you. My life’s goal is to create health and harmony for my family and the world around me. In between, I hustle to make $$ to continue playing the game called life and pray to attract projects and people who will serve my greatest good.
So, we’re moving forward in faith to continue playing the long game . . . staying in the moment, trying not to determine where it’s going. In Dustin Hoffman, The Master Class, 2015, he drops a few gems for those of us curious enough to join in:
“Keep your eyes on the road;” and
“Allow failure to be part of your experience.“
He continues to use Brando and deNiro as touchstones to “brilliance” in acting. Being in the moment; allowing the lines to live and inhabit your very being in take after take until “the one” perfect moment evolves. “Take after take?” Really? He never worked in daytime obviously and you would think the industry would have more respect for the actors who achieve that same “perfect moment” in one take. Part of the tools of that trade (and yes, it produces easy “go to” habits, but still . . .). I will forever be proud to be in the trenches with such talented actors — for however short that time might have been . . . daytime drama actors and dancers everywhere are equally disciplined and able to produce the goods because of their strong foundation in training. I am forever in admiration and gratitude to have been singled out to perform in both those arenas.
What is it that makes us act?
Laurence Olivier: “Look at me. Look at me. Look at me.”
Dustin Hoffman: “It’s a bitch to be in this game.”