6 answers
Sabina
Student
Burbank, California
1
Question
Updated
1183 views
Why did you choose to have a career in filmmaking/acting/screenwriting ?
How do you keep confident in your art and your work when you don’t feel original?
6 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sabina !
Of the three disciplines you have mentioned, acting is the one that I believe a person never loses originality in. Although an actor brings a lot of unique creativity to a role, both externally and internally, it is a collaborative job and other creative forces are also at work. The writer, director and sometimes the producer are directing the story and the characters according to their concept. At times, actors suggest nuances and it works or the director wants them to do it the way the director tells them to do it. The actors' look and sound is their tool and they bring that to every role. An actor expects to be shaped into the role the way the director wants it to go. So, you never really lose originality, you just build upon it on each very different job. The confidence comes with your love and desire to do the job to the best of your ability according to the directors' perspective. Confidence also comes with education and learning techniques and when you receive positive and constructive feedback.
I chose to go into acting because of the storytelling, communication, entertainment and education elements an actor offers. I realized my future career at a young age so I had a lot of time to learn that one must approach it grounded in a realistic philosophy. I realized how competitive it was, that it is an opinion business and greatly dependent on contacts and getting to know the right people. I established the mindset way before stepping foot into the profession. I had to make sure that I had something to fall back on because one never knows what will happen as an actor. I believe that all of the "chance" part of acting didn't bother me when I knew what the business was all about and had a second field of work that I also loved. This is why I went into acting and didn't mind - but loved - relocating to both major cities that are the hubs for acting work. I also saw that I had the freedom to be in such an iffy career, too.
I hope this sheds some light on the acting segment of your question and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors !
Of the three disciplines you have mentioned, acting is the one that I believe a person never loses originality in. Although an actor brings a lot of unique creativity to a role, both externally and internally, it is a collaborative job and other creative forces are also at work. The writer, director and sometimes the producer are directing the story and the characters according to their concept. At times, actors suggest nuances and it works or the director wants them to do it the way the director tells them to do it. The actors' look and sound is their tool and they bring that to every role. An actor expects to be shaped into the role the way the director wants it to go. So, you never really lose originality, you just build upon it on each very different job. The confidence comes with your love and desire to do the job to the best of your ability according to the directors' perspective. Confidence also comes with education and learning techniques and when you receive positive and constructive feedback.
I chose to go into acting because of the storytelling, communication, entertainment and education elements an actor offers. I realized my future career at a young age so I had a lot of time to learn that one must approach it grounded in a realistic philosophy. I realized how competitive it was, that it is an opinion business and greatly dependent on contacts and getting to know the right people. I established the mindset way before stepping foot into the profession. I had to make sure that I had something to fall back on because one never knows what will happen as an actor. I believe that all of the "chance" part of acting didn't bother me when I knew what the business was all about and had a second field of work that I also loved. This is why I went into acting and didn't mind - but loved - relocating to both major cities that are the hubs for acting work. I also saw that I had the freedom to be in such an iffy career, too.
I hope this sheds some light on the acting segment of your question and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors !
Patricio Lagos
Filmaker
1
Answer
Lima, Callao Region, Peru
Updated
Patricio’s Answer
ever since i was a child, i had wanted to tell stories. i believe telling stories is one of the oldest forms of expression/communication that allows for the formation of relationships, for the creation of collective. we tell stories all the time, we ourselves, our identities, are stories we tell cosntantly. and the film medium takes its language from reality, it's the language of our dreams and memories. it has the capacity of bringing togheter everything that makes us human, the rational and emotional.
confidence is a tricky thing. it comes and goes, even for the veterans and genius minds it's not always a constant. i think you shouldn't seek for it in your art and its reception, but rather in what you want to tell. and that only requiers honesty. if your honest, if what you want to tell if true to yourself and comes from your soul, the rest should be irrelevant, you will be able to touch hearts always as long as your honest to yourself. if you change your focus from the final product and its reception to your process with the art and the tranformation within yourself, then confidence (and the lack of it) will lose relevance in the long run.
i hope this finds you well, Sabina.
confidence is a tricky thing. it comes and goes, even for the veterans and genius minds it's not always a constant. i think you shouldn't seek for it in your art and its reception, but rather in what you want to tell. and that only requiers honesty. if your honest, if what you want to tell if true to yourself and comes from your soul, the rest should be irrelevant, you will be able to touch hearts always as long as your honest to yourself. if you change your focus from the final product and its reception to your process with the art and the tranformation within yourself, then confidence (and the lack of it) will lose relevance in the long run.
i hope this finds you well, Sabina.
Thanks for the help.
Isabella
Yvonne Chen
81
Answers
Updated
Yvonne’s Answer
I pursued a major in scriptwriting and directing for film and television, driven by my authentic passion for cinema and television series. Films serve as powerful mediums to convey emotions and connect with like-minded individuals. For the fields of film, television, and acting, originality is the lifeblood. It's the unique viewpoints and creative concepts that make these art forms truly shine. That being said, it's also crucial to learn from and reference the masterpieces of the past, which have set the industry standards. Although some imitation may occur during this process, it's essential to firmly establish your unique style. The ultimate achievement is when others can immediately recognize your work just by the style of the film or show. That's the true mark of success.
Christian Wolf
Producer, director, manager
9
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Christian’s Answer
I have always had the desire to be in the entertainment field. First as a performer, then producer and director, later as a writer.
There wasn't a "decision" to get into the field... it was the fact that I had no other choice. It was something I had to do.
Thankfully I am able to make a living at it, but if it didn't support me, I believe I would be doing it as hobby or volunteer.
As to your second question about keeping confident in your work?
That's the million dollar question and one that artists fight with every day.
Just know... deep in your heart... that whatever story you have to tell is worth being told. That whatever your idea is, it deserves to see the light of day.
A video that I would visit from time to time has helped me:
https://youtu.be/GHrmKL2XKcE?si=v-zkY4sEhk6caWrP
Wishing you all the best-
There wasn't a "decision" to get into the field... it was the fact that I had no other choice. It was something I had to do.
Thankfully I am able to make a living at it, but if it didn't support me, I believe I would be doing it as hobby or volunteer.
As to your second question about keeping confident in your work?
That's the million dollar question and one that artists fight with every day.
Just know... deep in your heart... that whatever story you have to tell is worth being told. That whatever your idea is, it deserves to see the light of day.
A video that I would visit from time to time has helped me:
https://youtu.be/GHrmKL2XKcE?si=v-zkY4sEhk6caWrP
Wishing you all the best-
David Coram
Photography/Video Production/Editing
2
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
David’s Answer
I love the creativity of photography and video media. Each picture and each video records a moment in time and you can edit it and if you want and/or write about it. They are a form of art just as music or drawing but in this case I use a camera and with practice and a desire just about anyone can do it.
David Coram
Photography/Video Production/Editing
2
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
David’s Answer
I love the creativity of photography and video media. Each picture and each video records a moment in time and you can edit it and if you want write about it. They are a form of art just as music or drawing but in this case I use a camera and with practice and a desire just about anyone can do it.
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