4 Steps to Taking Criticism as an Actor - by John Essay

As a manager, I advise clients on career choices, groom them for the industry with guidance on new headshots, resumes, classes, and type choices. I also make professional introductions, and personally advise them on every step of their business, which includes some aspects of life coaching. 

Presumably, actors know this—and want this—when they are seeking a personal manager, or other forms of representation. Yet some actors come into my office thinking I am going to be amazed at how talented, professional, and on top of things they are, and they seem to think I will simply agree to represent them with no advice to offer. When they hear my suggestions, they look stunned and uncomfortable. I can't tell you how many times I have met with an actor for the first time—for our "interview"—and started to tell them something they didn't want to hear—that I was unable to represent them, or that they needed to get new pictures—and watched them "tune out." I can watch it happen before my eyes. Their eyes glaze over. They nod like they are listening, but I can tell they just want to get out of my office as soon as they can.

I wonder how well these actors take direction on stage or on screen. I wonder what is going to happen if we decide to work together and we encounter a crisis. How can I help someone who can't listen to my advice, or accept anything they feel is critical of them?

A happy life and a fulfilling career require personal growth, and understanding criticism is essential to personal growth. Criticism is everywhere so try to use it to your advantage.

Here are some simple steps to constructively deal with criticism: Hear it, evaluate it, learn from it, and take action.

1. Hear the criticism. Just listen. Resist the urge to justify, excuse, or defend yourself. If you're not ready to analyze the critique, analyze it later.

2. Evaluate the criticism. Does this criticism apply to you? Is the critic speaking truth or are they off the mark? If you are unsure if the critique is true, ask someone close to you that you trust.

3. Learn from it. If the criticism is justified, you have been made aware of something you need to adjust, change, or do. Accept this knowledge.

4. Take action. Once you have figured out what action you should take, do it. This is a typical time for procrastination, but I urge you to make the changes instead.

This process of handling with criticism will be a tremendous advantage to you as an actor. I wish you much success!
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Why You Need to Keep Growing as an Actor - by Robert Curtiss

“I'm too old to start now.” “It's too late for me.” “I'm too old to change.” How many times have you heard someone say these things? Have you ever said them yourself?

It’s sad how often we repeat these beliefs as if they are the unquestioned truth. The more we say something, the more we come to believe it is true. These beliefs limit us. When you say these things—when you really believe these things—it means you've stopped adapting to the world around you. It means you're stuck in the past and not adapting in the here-and-now. It is not a healthy mindset. I am often struck by how many people talk about dealing with their problems, yet they don't actually deal with them at all. They shun the idea of therapy by saying, “I can handle my own problems” or “I'm too old to change,” but they don't truly deal with their problems by talking about them. They don’t try to change their problematic behaviors and instead keep repeating the behaviors that cause the problems!

Older people also use the phrase “In my day” as a way to make the present inferior to the way “it used to be.” However, they use it as a way to excuse their non-participation in the present. Think about it—is today not your day?? Are you too old to learn something?? Of course not!

Sometimes we get complacent, and trying something different feels scary. However, remember that a flower in a small pot can only grow so far. An actor in Wichita, for example, who stays in Wichita, will only go as far as is possible in Wichita. That is fine for some people—being the big fish in the little pond can be satisfying. However, if you want to achieve greater things, you need to grow, to push your limits.

We all must keep growing until we die. It is the nature of all living things. It is never too late to start something that can enhance your life—be it piano lessons, or therapy, or quitting smoking.

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Take Action & Don't Worry About the Outcome - by John Essay

“Take action” should be a guiding rule in all of our lives. We all have good ideas now and then, and we all have second-guessed them when it comes time for us to actually do something about them. The only people who can actually win the lottery are the ones who actually take action and buy a ticket! If we are to succeed at running our businesses, we must always take action regardless of the outcome. (Be reasonable, folks. I’m talking about running your business not robbing a bank!) Not every action may lead to the result you had planned, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it. Try to resist the urge to procrastinate, or the common urge to “rationalize” why you shouldn’t take action on your idea. Here are some examples of excuses actors use.

“I’m not going to that open call because I’m too tired, and I probably won’t get the part anyway.” The important thing here is to go! Take the action regardless of the outcome! You may or may not get the part at that open call, but you might meet someone who may be instrumental in your advancement, or you might become aware of an audition for a different project, or hear about something that could lead to life improvement just by being observant.

Perhaps you find out that someone you knew or worked with in the past is now working at a theater or is in some position that could help you. Contact that person. What if they don’t respond? What if they don’t remember you? What if, what if … you get the picture. Send that email. Make that call. Go to that audition. Take the action regardless of the outcome. Without the "action," there will NEVER be an outcome.

Say you were thinking of making a video of some clever sketch idea to put up on YouTube, but get cold feet because “someone’s already done this before” or “maybe it’s just not good enough” or “it’s not perfect” or “no one will look at it” or “I don’t have any video equipment.” Take the action regardless of the outcome. No equipment? Your friends may have an iPhone or a video camera, and you can record on your computer with simple FREE software. Just do it!

If it doesn't work as you imagined it in your mind, so what? By seeing it for yourself, you have accomplished more than you could imagine.

1. You actually created something yourself. It doesn't matter if it is good or not. The fact is you did it AND it will most likely lead to something else that is creative and perhaps more appropriate or funnier.

2. Trial and error usually reveals things that you never intended to discover.

3. As soon as you can find a way to tape this project, you will then know how to do many others without much thought.

Take the action regardless of the outcome. You will be glad you did.

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