Ego - Don't Start Without One

Actors William Kephart and myself from the Web Series, Up the Creek.

Face it. If you didn't have some sort of an ego, would you really want to be an actor? Whether you admit it or not, we all have one, and the sooner you can come to grips with this, the better actor you'll become.

Now an ego doesn't mean throwing tantrums or making unrealistic demands of your director, cast or crew. No, save that for the diva's that have lost touch with the starving artist they once were.

In my book, an ego means confidence. In other words, knowing in your heart that you can step inside your characters shoes and wear them like you belong there. This comes from not only trusting the people around you, but also believing that you are the best actor to play this character.

Of course there are some actors (and quite good ones) that will often show no sign of an ego. They might be humbled on the outside, but trust me, they are driven internally to knock the ball out of the park.

Inner confidence is the first step toward giving an honest and real performance. But it takes work to get there, for confidence without effort is arrogance. And arrogance is shallow, which is something you don't want to be when you are creating a character.

Advice on Reading and Writing Resolutions

I used to have reading and writing new years resolutions. They were usually something resembling, "I will read 30 books and finish my novel." However, after years of rarely hitting my goals I have discovered something that actually works.

Now, instead of resolutions, I have benchmarks I aim for each month in reading and writing. And if there is a resolution at all, it is to get within a good range of those benchmarks as many months as I can.

Try it. I think you'll find yourself more productive. It has worked for me. I hope it will for you.

Dogs in Quicksand

Back in the early 1990's I landed a great job as Operations Manager for a video production company that specialized in producing industrial films. I figured with all of the access I had to professional equipment and crews, I should make a feature length film. So I did. The result was a mixed bag of art and insanity called Dogs in Quicksand. And yes, that's me on the video jacket.

I had been making short films my entire life, starting around the age of 12. Using my dad's World War II Bell and Howell 8mm movie camera, I would gather up the neighborhood kids and together we would make impromptu little movies.

Eventually I figured out that I needed professional equipment, as well as the ability to write an actual script in order for the finished product to be enjoyed by more than just my friends and family. And after years of making short films that were either too long or just not very good, I figured out what elements to include in my script and what should be left out.

Many years into adulthood, my short film, The Story of Mommy and Daddy, was nominated for a Vision Award, sponsored by Sony, and the American Film Institute. And since Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg's long time producer, Kathleen Kennedy, were on the nominating committee, I felt I was ready to write a feature length script. And that's when Dogs in Quicksand was born.

And even though the movie managed to get a distributor, the now defunct Sub Rosa Studios, I made little money, along with mixed reviews which were far from glowing. My shot at success had been handed to me and I blew it, or so I thought.

This actually turned out to be the turning point of my writing journey. It's an adventure that has given me more failures than successes. But as I dabbled in screenwriting, playwriting, short stories, and novels, I have begun to realize we're all nothing more than a work in progress. And it's our efforts, not our rewards, that control our destiny.

What the World Needs Now

Living in the Midwest, I, and many others, experienced yesterday 40 mile an hour winds, blowing and blinding snow, below freezing weather, a dangerous driving environment, and basically, blizzard like conditions all day long.

Having to be out in the weather driving for a portion of the day, I noticed how everyone on the road looked out for each other. After all, we were all in this situation together. People were friendly and helpful to their neighbor and there was peace and good will - at least on the roads.

During all of this, race, religion and political views were never an issue. It was just one day of helping our fellow neighbor without making judgements or having opinions.

Maybe the world needs a good old-fashioned snow storm to remind us that we're all in this together, and hatred, war, and gridlock is not good or helpful to anyone.

West Falls Revisited (A Book Review)

Covering multiple generations of the small town of West Falls, this book takes the reader on quite the journey. At times devasting, often relatable, and oddly optimistic. This is one solid, smart read that defies genre. I can only categorize West Falls Revisited as FANTASTIC.

Indie author, D.H. Schleicher has another novel, Then Came Darkness, which I hope to read soon, as well as two books of short stories.

Crushed

When I was in eighth grade I had a crush on a girl that didn't know I existed. I remember always taking the long way to certain classes so I could pass her in the hallways. I would attempt to make eye contact but must have looked pretty creepy as she would immediately shift her gaze. I tried to take advantage of the rare occasion she would peek in my direction, but they were usually followed by a quick turn of her head to avoid me.

A few weeks ago I was at a restaurant and that girl I had a crush on over 50 years ago just happened to be sitting in the booth across from me. I avoided eye contact with her while we ate our meals. When it was time for me to leave, I got up and glanced at her.

Our eyes met. I smiled. She turned away. I guess somethings never change.

Bridging the Gaps (A Book Review)

 

There is nothing more readable to me than a book driven by dialogue, and "Bridging the Gaps" is just that. Indie author, Kate Warren, manages to keep the age-old story of a man leaving his wife and kids for a younger woman, both fresh and humorous. It not only shows the strain of divorce on the husband and wife, but also how their friends, and each of their four individual children react to the situation.

Realistically dealing with the pain of letting go and the anxiety of starting over, this fast-paced read manages to weave many stories into one - all of which are every bit as engaging as the other.