Acting is Believing

A friend of mine once told me a story of his experience working with Tyne Daly.  I remember watching Ms. Daly on the 80s cop drama Cagney and Lacey in which she was fantastic. 

They were doing a play on Broadway when,on the opening night, Ms. Daly, who was the lead actress, huddled all the actors together before the curtains went up.  She said...

"Whoever believes the most, wins."

This was an important lesson for my friend and it has been for me, too.  I often think about this story when I forget what acting is about.  It keeps it simple and it keeps me focused.  I can forget about the crew and the camera and just believe in the world and the circumstances that I find myself in.

Tyne Daly has won 6 Emmy Awards, a Tony and has been nominated 5 times for a Golden Globe.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax_JN-_A_T4&feature=related

I've never had the chance to work with Tyne Daly but I've had some fantastic teachers in my life.  I've had some really bad ones, too.  The sort that think acting is therapy.  Bad therapy.  I once spent an entire lesson crying over the song Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd.  I won't mention the teacher's name but she was in an 80s movie about an alien who wants to go home. 

I feel very fortunate to have met my acting coach early on in my career.  She's not a guru nor a pseudo therapist.  She just helps me believe. 

My friend and acting coach, Jeanne Hartman, is back in Hong Kong to teach her amazing 2 day intensive acting classes.  If you wanna join us,  click here for more details.