How to Increase Authenticity
“Just be yourself”
Another piece of advice
Which emphasises the result
Not the process
Equivalent to saying
“Just be amazing!”
Yep
Thanks, Judy
Let’s rather focus on a process
And allow the result of authenticity to come to us.
Drum roll
How to technically be yourself as an actor:
Two focuses here
One
Presence
But
Presence is a byproduct
Of what?
Breathing
Focusing on your breath encourages a state of presence
Breathing = Presence = Authenticity
But there’s a catch here
Anyone can focus on their breath when things are easy
It’s harder to focus on your breath when your body wants to protect itself
It’s easy to focus on your breath in yoga class
It’s a lot harder to focus on your breath when the director yells “ACTION” on that multi-million dollar set
Therefore
Practice focussing on your breath
When it’s uncomfortable to do so
Two
Vulnerability
But
Vulnerability is also a byproduct
Of what?
Honesty
Being honest encourages a state of vulnerability
Honesty = Vulnerability = Authenticity
But
Once again
There’s a catch
Anyone can focus on being honest when things are easy
It’s harder to focus on being honest when your body wants to protect itself
It’s easy to be honest with yourself in your journal
It’s a lot harder to be honest with someone who’s opinion you really care about
Therefore
Practice being honest
When it’s uncomfortable to do so.
Authenticity is a muscle
You have the ability to build it
And
Just like a professional athlete trialling a new move
The first few reps don’t count
So
Give yourself permission to fall on your face
Multiple times
Before counting yourself out
Give your body a chance to start learning what it’s like to breathe
When it’s uncomfortable to do so
Give your body a chance to start learning what it’s like to be honest
When it’s uncomfortable to do so
Find comfort in that chaos
And watch authenticity come to you
Hope this helps
X