Can you imagine being so successful as an actor that you actively look for ways of stopping agents and casting directors calling you?
Bill Murray has this problem.
When he hit the big time, he started getting lots of calls. People would bypass his agent and call him at home.
He said this about it:
“I had a house phone, and it would just ring and ring. Finally, I’d pick up the phone and I’d say, ‘Who in the fugk is calling me and letting my phone ring like that?’ The agent would say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I’m calling for so-and-so.’ I’d say, ‘Look, you can’t do this. This is my house. If I don’t answer the phone, don’t do that because you’re making me not like you. “
Then he did this:
“I just unplugged the phone, and then I got this 1-800 number, which is very handy,” he said.
A 1-800 number is a bit like a 0800 in the UK. People can call the number and leave a message. Then, now and again, when Bill fancies it and not before, he dials in and retrieves the messages.
And guess what, people want Bill Murray even more because of this because he isn’t needy. One of the biggest turn-off’s for agents and casting directors is neediness.
This toxic neediness not only affects actors ability to navigate the business, but it affects their acting too. There is an epidemic of “needy” acting being created out there by needy actors, and they all wonder why they never get the job.
Bill has figured out how to avoid all that and funnily enough, his acting is not needy either. He doesn’t need the approval of others; he knows how to deliver great acting.
So, I’m launching a new concept this week which is embedded into all my work – Anti-Needy Acting.
This is something all my Ultimate Acting Students get their heads around and start to execute day one of the programme.
Which reminds me, the next round of auditions are on 8th July, application deadline is 1st July:
https://www.briantimoneyacting.co.uk/ultimate/
Brian Timoney
The Master Of The Method