Artist Careers

Protect Your Genius

by Laura Interval

Have you ever doubted your work because someone else did? Have you ever changed an artistic decision at the suggestion of an onlooker and regretted it? When was the last time you went along with someone else’s idea and ignored yours even though you knew yours was better?

Why do we do this? Why do we allow ourselves to second guess our art?

One of my favorite acting coaches in LA, Larry Moss, stresses how important it is as artists to take care of ourselves. He isn’t talking about eating right and taking vitamins, although that’s good too of course. But, he’s talking about taking care of our “artist genius”. Protecting, nurturing, and standing by your creative soul and the choices your make. Your brilliance is in your choices.

Ok… granted part of an actor’s job is to take direction from the director. And I suppose a painter should listen to his client if he’s on a commission. But, where do we draw the line? Where does changing our art for other people begin to harm our creative brilliance?

The other night, I was watching an episode of “American Idol”. One of the finalists, Brooke White, forgot her lyrics in the first few lines of her song. She simply stopped, very calmly turned to the band and told them to start over. It was one of those awkward, kind of shocking moments that the producers would have edited out if it wasn’t live TV. As an artist, I felt a twinge in my stomach and said a silent “thank you” that it wasn’t me up there. Then, I realized that what she had just done was so brave, and so honest. She took care of her artist. She had to make a split-second decision when she forgot the lyric. Start over? . . . or continue and hope to recover. She had the confidence to start over, or at least the self knowledge to know she just had to. In the end, I thought it was brilliant.

The judge’s reactions were mixed. Paula, the performer, looked completely annoyed and shocked. She told Brooke that she had made a huge mistake. She said that a performer never stops, especially on live TV. On the other hand, Simon the producer, actually respected her for it and said he would have done the same thing. He mentioned the next night that it made her “human” to the audience… and that her decision helped save her from elimination. In my opinion, it did keep her from getting voted off that night. Whether she had the best performance or not, people voted for her because either they respected her art or related to her making a mistake… or both. I think she may have been voted off if she hadn’t started over and just tried to nervously continue without the lyrics… don’t you? She protected her artist… and stayed in the competition.

We are artists because we want to express ourselves, right? We HAVE to express ourselves. Then, we have to know what we are expressing, claim it as our own and back it up with the confidence to know why it’s the BEST way for us. Nobody will ever do it like you. Nobody will ever BE you and make the choices that you make… that’s your genius.

So, how to make sure you are taking care of your artist? It takes a lot of awareness. It takes commitment to what you are expressing. It takes constantly learning about yourself and believing in what you are doing. It is practice and discipline.

In preparing for an audition or presentation, be clear on what you are expressing. Make strong solid choices that represent you as an artist, and don’t let anything knock you off. For example, when you enter an audition room, take a moment. This is YOUR audition. Every meeting is a chance to show your brilliance. Bring yourself into the room and take in the environment. If there is something throwing you off, take charge immediately and change it.

I went into a callback for an ABC pilot, I didn’t like the way the furniture was positioned. I was really far away from everybody and I felt disjointed and awkward. I took that first moment and rearranged a few things as the directors and producers watched. Then, I began my scene. Later, the director told me that in his eyes, I got the job when I moved the first chair. The audition begins when you walk in to the room. Have the presence and the genius to take charge and take care.

Think about all of the times your art is challenged. Someone who doesn’t “get” your painting, a casting director who doesn’t respond favorably, a director who wants another take with “more” …it can happen on a daily basis. Just make sure that you are showing them who you are as an artist first. Show them what you are bringing to the table . . . your choices and your commitment. Then, you can make adjustments that you feel comfortable with and be aware of what you are compromising if you have to.

Being on a large film set can be intimidating. Being in front of a large crowd can be scary. But, you must make sure that you are doing everything you can to express yourself the way you intend. If your takes aren’t going the way you want them to go, step back a moment. Take control . . . remind yourself of your choices and execute them. Don’t worry about everyone else around you. Do what you need to do.

It is unlikely that anyone else will help you “bring out” your artist. Every once in a while, you will be fortunate to work with another artist who really understands who you are and what you are capable of. But, for the most part, it is up to you to bring your brilliant artist to every take, every painting, and every speech. Do not rely on other people to help you. They won’t… they are too worried about themselves. It is up to you to make your choices and protect them.

If you are committed to your artist; if you’ve taken the time to know what you stand for, people will respond. There is nothing more fascinating than an artist who believes in what he is doing… and has a real need to do it. Whether the audience “likes” the art often becomes secondary. In fact, if you stand by your art and you truly believe it’s the best; your audience will come to believe you and believe in you.

You have your own unique artist inside. Do what you do. Make your choices. Be strong in what you are expressing. If the audience likes it, that’s icing on your cake and hopefully money in the bank!

To read more of Larry Moss' genius:

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