Not so long ago the Turner Prize-winning artist, Grayson Perry, built a house.
It’s no run-of-the-mill house; it’s an artistic expression.
You can see it here.
Grayson got a lot of stick for building this house.
Some have criticized it (especially the locals); others love it.
Such is the world of art.
Grayson was interviewed and was asked how appropriate he thinks the house is for the area, which is in Essex.
He laughed and said, “Appropriate…that’s not a word I really think about.”
Herein lies the lesson.
Great artists don’t think about being “appropriate”; they think about expression.
They don’t really care whether you think their expression is appropriate or not. In fact, your opinion is completely irrelevant to them. They just want to express and create. The outcome of that is for others to judge.
You can see when this attitude exists in an actor. When you watch the great actors of the world you can see that they have no problem expressing themselves and taking action.
They don’t second-guess whether their actions are appropriate. They take action first and look at the results.
Some actors can feel inhibited about taking impulsive actions because they start to think about what others may think of their actions.
If you find yourself in this situation, carry out the Jack Nicholson test.
(This is a wee test I have found useful.)
Would Jack be worried about taking an action?
I doubt there is very much that Jack wouldn’t express. He has become fearless.
And so should you.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. It will not be the end of the world if you take an action that someone else feels is inappropriate, and let’s face it, the definition of inappropriate changes from person to person.
So, here is the thing. To be a great artist it’s appropriate to be inappropriate. If you are always appropriate, you restrict your creativity and probably become boring.
And who wants that?
No-one, my friend, no-one.
Right, listen up. I have started auditioning already for next year’s Ultimate Acting Programme…yes, there are aspiring actors out there getting their ducks in a line, so they can start training next year.
If you want to get things sorted pre 2016 then the next audition day is December 2nd.
https://www.briantimoneyacting.co.uk/ultimate/
Brian