Act Like That

I was just thinking.......

I was watching some old movie the other day and it seemed like the actors were acting. I became engrossed by this and was imagining why they weren't acting right. Maybe they didn't know how? I don't know. Maybe it's my imagination.

I have never tried acting. That would be taking a chance of failing publicly, and I don't think I could take that kind of rejection. Imagine how awful that could be. Yet on the other hand I have clear memory of crashing my brains out on a moto-cross, in front of many witnesses, and felt empowered by the failure.
"Nope, didn't hurt a bit since I am properly equipped." I lied convincingly, as stars danced in front of my eyes.
"Oh, ya got it on tape.....good." I smiled while feeling like a heated screwdriver had been jammed in my lower back. "Good thing I had this kidney belt, I could have really got hurt with those guys running over me like that."

When I was a child I could act sick to avoid church or school. Or act well, as to access freedom while ill. Later I could act sober around authority figures after slamming down several cocktails. But I never really tried acting drunk when I was sober, I might look stupid. How many times have I heard myself or someone else take on an different character, for alterior motives of varying importance?

Now I hope you can understand my point here, which is merely an observation.

It is reasonable to say that most folks are in fact, quite good actors, given the proper challenge.

Of course, I would also say that I always found it best when I could just get on with it, devil may care.

 

Reviews

[Desert Dreamer]

There are times when we need to act, and I have done my share of acting to fit the situations as required but I find it exhausting. Usually I do whatever comes naturally which isn't always acceptable but I do find that it effects other people in a good way, and makes them feel comfortable to remove their own mask. I think my biggest acting has been when I was working professionally and I solved a lot of technical problems...I'd often act like it was easy, which I thought was best since it was my job and I enjoyed the work, I never explained just how much effort I put into my job even to my manager. I did this because I found it annoying listening to complaints of my coworkers...

I think I prefer my new way of life, I have thrown away the masks, which does leave on a bit vulnerable, but also open for whatever comes along...

Your story is good for thinking...

Your story has no category, it is "A by Tony". How did you do that?

[OT]

we all act - raiding our drawers for a different mask for different situations - whether it is a heavy act or a more simple one - the work act (would you talk there as you do with friends?), school act - friend act - it all attunes to our nature as humans! an interesting piece!! Are writers not mere actors with words?

[Devons]

Acting is very much a part of our everyday lives, I feel. People may not always be fully aware of the fact they are doing it but it does happen. It makes the world a little easier to deal with and makes other people feel better. That is acting within yourself, though. Actors do the opposite. Good ones do it well and look as if they are just being themselves. Bad actors do the opposite. It's an interesting observation that many people never really consider.
I've done a fair bit of acting myself in my time, and a friend of mine once told me that in one play he had to pretend to be drunk. As it happened, his fellow performers decided it would be amusing to substitute the cold tea (that masqueraded as whisky) for actual whisky. So he ended up getting drunk. Next day, in the papers, a local reviewer claimed that his performance as a drunk was "rather unconvincing"....
I don't think that in real life we'd get very far if we "could just get on with it, devil may care" - there are too many obstacles!
Nice bit of commentary to read, this. Conversational and thoughtful.

[luciddreamer]

I use to be the type who tried very hard not to act anyway than I thought I really was....imagine my horror and surprise when years later...reflecting...I saw a pretty decent actress in the mirror.
Peace
Robin

[Liza]

I took a couple of acting courses in my local acting school to expand on my body language after taking modeling; i felt it was a natural progression from being a communications student / toastmaster's member...
it was not easy; acting because on one hand you have to be comfortable with yourself enough to be in front of an audience and a camera while acting out these lines given to you that is not a natural in my usual way of speaking...
some say actors are good liars...
some say we act a part every day...from worker bee, to husband or wife to friend
some say acting is a way to escape and be someone else....
either way we look at it...we are all right....
but it definitely is a turn off when actors are hired for their looks not their skill but then opposite type casting is not always soothing but distracting to the eye....

[Vincent Esprit FMI]

some how this piece reminds me of shakespeare "All life's a stage"...congrats Tony.....thanks for sharing your gift with us!
regards,
vincent

[Ed Hart]

if there's thinking involved, it's a performance

[cest la vie]

I am so thrilled to have found you..
Your stories are short, but packed with so much thought, description, etc..
You really are quite the writer...
Lynne

[cartera]

mmm. Just some idle thoughts I think, but you write well in a way that I like: spare but yet descriptive.
Well done. have you a look at Goldman? (Sociology)
ATB
Alex.

[Dillon Cotter]

Tony, this is a really good write here. This is great!

-Will