Becoming an Actor: Self Assessment

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams

Stanislavski warned, "Young actor, fear your admirers!" It is pleasant to hear the flattery and praise of your adoring admirers because you want to believe them. However, you should not enter into this profession simply to amuse your followers. The naive compliments of friends and family, who are not themselves actors, will not help you grow as an actor. Talk to your admirers, but listen, understand, and even love the observations of a true professional. There is nothing more beneficial to your growth as an actor than the brutally honest words of someone who knows. Unfortunately, however, you will not always be lucky enough to have an acting coach who knows and cares standing over your shoulder giving you expert advice. Therefore, you must know how to objectively observe your own work.

Self Assessment is a learned skill. Beginning with your first acting class you must make honest appraisals of your own work. You cannot be totally reliant upon one person, always seeking their approval for your choices and discoveries. One of your teacher's primary responsibilities is to train you to be self reliant - to serve as your own critic. "Acting is Believing" says this:

"In the commercial world of theatre, film, and television, directors expect you to deliver a product. They are not your teachers. They will not hire your potential; rather, they contract your skills."

Therefore, you must be experienced and honest enough to continue your own growth and development as an artist once you leave the security of the classroom. Though the general public may enjoy your work, you still must objectively look at your own creation. You must assess your choices and continually work on your weaknesses. We are our own worst critic. I'm sure you've heard that plenty of times. That is not a bad thing, and don't let anyone tell you it is. Like I've said before, as an actor you should always be striving for perfection, even though and can never be reached. Even when your friends and family and even just some members of the community who saw your last play tell you you did great, you should still listen to your own inner critic. that is what helps you to strive for perfection. There is always something you could have done better, wether it was the delivery of a line, a different facial expression, or even just a slight movement that better transitioned into the next scene. To be a great actor, self assessment must always be a part of your acting routine.