Great latitude

[haphthat]

Mr. Downey, you have a new fan.

After studying acting 20 years behind the camera and in the edit suite, I finally decided to act professionally. It's been a little over a year and I've already had the pleasure of turning down work because of other projects. I hadn't realized until now just how much you had a part in my education.

Netflix has given me the pleasure of catching the earlier seasons of Lexx that I missed. I had forgotten how much latitude your acting has. I watched your character playing the hapless rube, the hero, the voice of reason, the letch, and the confident coward. That gambit seems like too much latitude for a character, but you pulled it off seamlessly. I haven't yet had the pleasure of catching your other works, but now I'm actively doing so. I just wish I had caught up with your performances earlier.

Do you consider yourself a character actor? I hope your answer is, "Yes," followed by a bit of wisdom on what a 43-year old late-blooming character actor should keep in mind when entertaining.

Marvelous job, sir. Thank you for sharing your remarkable talent.

[Brian]

EVEY actor is a character actor... that's what we do. We assume the guies of another personality - a 'character'. Look near the beginning of a publication of a modern stage play. One of the sections normally reads "the characters" and lists the names of the characters, and, usually who has played those characters. The idea of "star" is simply that - an idea. It was conceived by Hollywood to sell more tickets, and make more money. No matter what medium you work in - stage, film, TV, radio - it is ALWAYS a team effort. There will forever be the occasional actor who gets a larger billing than others, and will be a complete asshole to the team (read Russell Crowe or Val Kilmer), but these are the exception. And one must never forget, that the crew are every bit as much a part of the whole process as any actor. Want to do a film without a good camera operator ? Or without a good steadycam operator, or a good lighting team?
And don't hope to get lucky - prepare for it.
brian

[haphthat]

Thanks so much for the insight. I will have to emphasize your point of teamwork at my next rehearsal. I'm currently directing The Hasty Heart for a community theater. Our 30-year old female lead likes to grab the lime-light whether it's her scene, during break, or monopolizing my attention during any minute before, during or after we are working. She has less maturity than our 17-year old male lead. I work with a few other actors in my community that have the same attitude about grabbing attention, but you are right; they are a very small percentage.

Thank you very much for your time and your feedback. Your impressive acting, professional attitude, and availability for your fans puts you far above any "star."

Steve Trigg
Maryville, Tennessee

[Brian]

In an effort to help you as much as my experience allows, here are a couple of suggestions that may assist in dealing with difficult actors... try calling a meeting of all cast and crew people, and thank all for their hard work, acknowledge those who you KNOW are really doing a good job, and remind the entire assembly that NO ONE is greater than anyone else, that "WE" are a team, and if anyone fails, "WE" all fail, and if anyone succeeds, "WE" all succeed !

[haphthat]

Well said, sir. Teamwork is one thing I've understood as a corporate and documentary videographer and more recently as an actor, but something I was ill-prepared to convey once I took the director's reigns. As crew and cast, it was a notion that I could believe, but never had to present as professional guidance.

I've only received two pieces of professional advice in my life: "Persevere," from the Bishop of the Dallas Diocese, and your kindly advice. The former advice got me through my first 20-year career. Your insight has given me good footing to launch myself into the next two decades.

Confucius is attributed with saying, "A man who loves what he does will never work another day in his life." It is the professional and giving people of the art community such as yourself that has kept me from having to actually work for a living. If I can ever be of assistance to you in the fields of documentary or commercial video, please feel free to ask.

[haphthat]

Followup: I hope you don't mind, I shared your sage advice with the actors in my community. You are very popular in Knoxville, Tennessee today.