Courage for self-disclosure
Try to be yourself first - to BE instead of playing! Truthfulness on stage or on a film set is one of the most important characteristics of good acting.
We are looking for the real thing. Why do we often find it so difficult to be real? It is often due to our lack of self-esteem. That is why we also lack the necessary portion of courage for self-disclosure. I am authentic as an artist when I have the courage to "be myself". If we consider ourselves valuable, it is easier for us to reveal ourselves.
Our fundamental fear of self-disclosure is: How do I look in the eyes of others? What do people think of me? This is often the cause of stage fright: a fear that is based on the anticipation of negative judgement by other people. That is why we often do not dare to open ourselves on stage or on a film set, to show human feelings and personal aspects.
It is therefore important that the character is not rehearsed and presented with a well-trained impressing and facade technique. No one cares about that and there is no possibility of identification with the character. The facade technique aims to conceal or camouflage negative felt parts of one's own person. In doing so, we want to keep the "unattractive" part of ourselves hidden.
«It takes a minimum of courage to be able to enter a stage at all, because it could be that my contribution allows unpleasant conclusions to be drawn about my "strange" personality... Already in school some people dare to ask a question with hesitation: I could disgrace myself... That's how we build walls, alarms and defensive cannons on all sides to make us feel safe. No one should be able to discover the negatively felt parts of my person.»[1]
We are looking for the real thing. Why do we often find it so difficult to be real? It is often due to our lack of self-esteem. That is why we also lack the necessary portion of courage for self-disclosure. I am authentic as an artist when I have the courage to "be myself". If we consider ourselves valuable, it is easier for us to reveal ourselves.
Our fundamental fear of self-disclosure is: How do I look in the eyes of others? What do people think of me? This is often the cause of stage fright: a fear that is based on the anticipation of negative judgement by other people. That is why we often do not dare to open ourselves on stage or on a film set, to show human feelings and personal aspects.
It is therefore important that the character is not rehearsed and presented with a well-trained impressing and facade technique. No one cares about that and there is no possibility of identification with the character. The facade technique aims to conceal or camouflage negative felt parts of one's own person. In doing so, we want to keep the "unattractive" part of ourselves hidden.
«It takes a minimum of courage to be able to enter a stage at all, because it could be that my contribution allows unpleasant conclusions to be drawn about my "strange" personality... Already in school some people dare to ask a question with hesitation: I could disgrace myself... That's how we build walls, alarms and defensive cannons on all sides to make us feel safe. No one should be able to discover the negatively felt parts of my person.»[1]
«The job of an actor is disclosure, not pretence.»
Max Reinhardt
Max Reinhardt
The actor's job is to open up and reveal himself to the audience. I have to strive for coherence, no matter what I do on stage. If I reveal something of my unloved side in my self-disclosure, not only will I not be rejected, but I will even come closer to the other! The audience recognizes itself, feels connected to what is happening on stage or in the film.
[1] Eva-Maria Admiral, Eric Wehrlin, "Vorhang auf!", Bundes-Verlag Witten
[1] Eva-Maria Admiral, Eric Wehrlin, "Vorhang auf!", Bundes-Verlag Witten