Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 6/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kenneth
  I would like your take on acting.I am trying to get through to myself.On how to function like an actor emotionally & mentally. And not a person who is trying to act & one who struggles with the thought of expressing themselves in from of others.What mindset is needed. How to express sadness,excitment etc.. in a scene,with out feeling emberest.I'm interested in acting & I see that people that are acting.I notice that they are carrying around their own life story.That seems to give them permission to do what is asked for.In acting out the emotions of the character.That isn't even be in them at the time.It seems to just flowing through them.These's emotions with great confidence,no resistance.This support of not be put of by anything it seems to act as a support for them.And they,in what ever scene they do, is done with no resistance.They express them selves not a thought given to how it will look or what reaction they may get from people watching.They do the emotion that is asked for in the scene.Fulling & with no hesitation.For me,it's the opposite there is resistance and I don't understand.I feel so strongly about expressing myself but my mind blocks me. What would be going on with my mind that won't allow me the freedom? What is it that I need to understand about becoming an actor, a character so much so that I leave myself behind.Interms of my personalty, fear of being rejected,fear,thinking thought's of feeling not being good looking enough.Worthness most of all.   THANKING U DEEPLY

ANSWER: Hello Julie-ann.  Well, you have identified your problem which is the first step. Now you have to solve it which might take a while. First of all you know that acting involves your giving free and open expression of your emotions. But you are inhibiting yourself by worrying about what others may think of what you are doing (crying or screaming or whatever) and you are worrying about how you may look doing those things. The actor's mindset is that she doesn't care what people think; and furthermore she enjoys the opportunity to have free expression of her emotions. That is one of the joys of acting--society makes us suppress our emotions but acting allows us to express them fully which is a refreshing and enjoyable experience. Second, to be an effective actor, you have to get out of your head. Stop thinking about it.  Acting is not thinking, it is emotionally responding.  Acting requires that your entire being (all of your senses) focuses on the scene, and does not allow your mind to wander into thinking about other things. Concentration is one of the basic requirements for the actor.
Third, you can practice emotional expression without inhibition in acting classes or with a good acting coach.  And you can read about how such expression works and how it is the basis of acting in such books as How to Stop Acting by Harold Guskin and The Tao of Acting by Kenneth Plonkey. On my website there are several articles that may help you as well: "Modern Times Need Modern Methods", "Tao and The Art of Acting", and "More about Tao acting", or whatever my newest page is called. LOL> I have forgotten the title, but when you go to my web page at http;//tao-of-acting.org  you will find these articles under the Acting Theory button on the drop down list. Finally to address you last sentence: acting is not leaving yourself. In order to be effective you allow your emotions to be expressed. You do have get out of your head: stop thinking about what you are doing and just do it, and don't think about anything but the scene. You have to learn to like who you are and how you look and to heck with the rest of the world (as long as you are getting parts). It is not necessary to be a beauty queen to be an actor. It is necessary to be able to act without inhibitions. Experience on stage should help a great deal. Go to my website, read my book and the articles and ask me lots of questions. God bless, Doc

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QUESTION: Hi Kenneth
 Thank you deeply for your helpful reply,it's apprecaited very much.I am just about to check out your website.But,I wanted to say before doing so.Before I forget,at the last part of your reply.You said You have to learn to like who you are and how you look and to heck with the rest of the world (as long as you are getting parts). It is not necessary to be a beauty queen to be an actor.And I understand & are delighted you said that.Because what gets me is,any time I hear of actor's/actress's it's followed with the mentioning of their good looks.Their on this and that magazine for how they look.It's like it's not enough to be a good actor your looks play a part.It comes across to me in L.A Hollywood that,that's what they are looking for in order for you to succeed.I'm looking forward to reading all that you have on your website.

Thank you for your time.
Julie-ann

Answer
hi Julie-ann, You are quite welcome for the information. I am pleased to be of service. If you just watch TV and films closely, you will discover that a great many of the actors are not 'pretty people'.  There are tons of roles for those of us who are not cast as the lead lovers. I just saw part of an interview with a well known character actor who is working a lot, and I saw an interview with Will Smith. Both of these men indicated that what makes you successful is your training and experience and that you have to work harder than the the next actor in order to beat him out for the part.. I look forward to your comments on my website, my book and my blog. God bless, Doc