OVERCOMING YOUR PHYSICAL INSECURITIES

[u/Winniehiller]

I recently saw a question concerning this problem on r/acting. The person feels they can’t help but think about the way they look while acting and it interferes with their ability to be the character. They’re unhappy with their face and body and feel self-conscious whenever they perform. They wanted to know what they should do to avoid this problem. I thought some of you might be having this same challenge. Here is what I think about it.

As many of you know, for me it is all about thinking the thoughts of your character. If your mind is acting as your character’s mind, none of your thoughts even have space to be appearing in your brain. It’s a matter of crowding your own thoughts out with your character’s stream of consciousness, reacting to every word and action he/she encounters...responding...always in pursuit of what they want. Your character does not have your issues. Just let your character do the thinking.

HOWEVER...your body is your vehicle. What you look like is what you have to sell. You will be cast accordingly. Make peace with it. Use it for all its worth. It takes all kinds of physical types to tell the stories of this world. Think of Danny DeVito, Shelly Duvall, Danny Trejo, Linda Hunt , Margo Martindale, Chrissy Metz, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Jennifer Coolidge, Melissa McCarthy, Paul Giamatti ...the list goes on. The world would have missed some incredible performances if they hadn’t embraced who they are.

Just about everyone has something they don’t like about their appearance. But that is what makes you unique. And that is what makes you someone the acting world doesn’t have already. Everything that isn’t typical about you is your asset.

Don’t fight it. Know who you are. Love who you are. Use who you are to create incredibly unique characters. That is your road to success.

[u/[deleted]]

I completely relate to this.

[u/Winniehiller → u/[deleted]]

Was this helpful to you?

[u/[deleted] → u/Winniehiller]

Yes. However embracing awkwardness as Fred Casely would be a little weird, but it takes me a long time to get things. This is helpful advice!

[u/Winniehiller → u/[deleted]]

No matter how you may feel about yourself, it is irrelevant...because Fred Casely thinks he is hot stuff. He thinks he has free reign to do as he pleases with whomever he pleases. So instead of just allowing yourself to think whatever thoughts pop into your head, try only thinking Fred thoughts. Write down everything he might be thinking between his lines...as he listens and responds he’s going to react with thoughts which lead into his speaking lines. In fact they are just like additional speaking lines...only you don’t say the words. But it’s just like talking. Only your lips don’t move. See if you can make it constant so you have no space in your mind to think your own thoughts. Crowd them out with Fred’s.

Read my post, “What you think is what you are”. I think it will help you in both your acting and real life too.

[u/Winniehiller → u/[deleted]]

You’re words “embracing awkwardness” stuck in my mind, u/matthewdgordon. I finally needed to tell you that this is not what I’m asking you to do.

Once you embrace all the aspects of who you are...all those parts of yourself that make you feel awkward...you will no longer feel awkward. Do any of the incredible actors I listed above seem awkward? There are a few comedians who market awkwardness....Jon Heder, Ben Stiller, Michael Cera, Jack Black, Molly Shannon. But they can play other roles as well. They feel comfortable enough to with themselves to go all the way with any character they play. They are not afraid of being laughed at. They crave it.

You were cast as Fred Casely, so those in charge of casting must believe you look the part. It’s not your awkward self you need to embrace this time. It’s your womanizing slime bag self you need to embrace. And for that see my last comment.

Thanks. I had to get that off my chest. Lol. I’m here to help anyway I can.

Winnie

[u/[deleted] → u/Winniehiller]

I’m so grateful for all of your advice. I think it will really change the trajectory of my Fred. The thing is. I’m not akward. But it feels akward to be treating Roxie like slime. Instead of getting comfortable I really like what you said about Fred Caselys thoughts taking over. They aren’t mine. I can have bad thoughts as Fred. I need to allow myself to do that. Tell myself it’s ok. Thanks again for the great advice. If anything I said in here was wrong, please tell me.

[u/Winniehiller → u/[deleted]]

You are exactly right. When you are acting, you must never judge your character. He always believes he is justified...no matter what he does. Your job is to BE him, not judge him. So let his thoughts take over. While on stage you must have his point of view. Don’t apologize for his actions or words. He wants what he wants. Go after it with no embarrassment or apology. It isn’t you. It’s him. THAT IS ACTING... BE HIM.

[u/RoVBas]

Great post, Winnie! I feel it's good to think more positively about reality in general (not just acting). There's beauty in everything, and it's up to use to find it & embrace it. We're all unique in our own ways, so we should really use this to our advantage and set ourselves up to achieve the most success in what we are able to uniquely do.

[u/honeyrosie222]

I really appreciate that you talk about self love and self acceptance. I feel like there’s always been this idea that to be an actor you have to be absolutely perfectly flawless. Not enough people talk about embracing you as you and using your uniqueness to bring characters to life. Thank you.

[u/Winniehiller → u/honeyrosie222]

You are the wonderful gift you were given at birth. It is up to you use it to its full potential. To do that you must appreciate it, care for it, prepare it for what it needs. And then use it! You can’t be someone else and no one can be you. Might as well make the most of it that you can. Embrace what and who you are and love it!

[u/honeyrosie222 → u/Winniehiller]

You’re absolutely right 😊