Acting Advice

By Bob Fraser

Actors are always asking me for 'acting tips' when I meet them. I try to explain that this is not really a business of tips – but of large sprawling areas of knowledge. However, in order to help where I can, here are some really good tidbits of advice passed on to us by successful performers – and my own comments which will, hopefully, clarify the underlying meaning of these gems.

"There are two types of actors: those who say they want to be famous and those who are liars." ~ Kevin Bacon

It's okay to act as if you have modest goals. Just don't buy into your own act. ~ Bob

"I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point." ~ Michael Caine

Those who believe that it's all about talent, looks or luck – are unlikely to take the time to develop those all important professional skills. ~ Bob

"Acting is merely the art of keeping a large group of people from coughing." ~ Sir Ralph Richardson

It's all about the customers (whom we insist on calling an audience... I guess because we 'play' the king once in awhile). ~ Bob

"Just say the gags and don't bump into the furniture." ~ Spencer Tracy

You are a person. You are generally acting the part of a person. Don't insist on making it into something mysterious. ~ Bob Fraser

"Do your part and ask for your compensation. But in that order." ~ Cary Grant

If you are a professional, you should expect to get paid when you've done the job. ~ Bob

"Who told me not to fly, I've simply got to. If I take a spill, it's me and not you. Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?" ~ Lyrics from Funny Girl

If you insist on listening to other people's assessment of your dream, your dream will probably never become a reality. ~ Bob

"Make a way out of no way." ~ Halle Berry

"If opportunity isn't knocking – build a door." ~ Milton Berle

"The obstacle is the path." ~ Buddha

No matter how hard it seems, it CAN be done. Just remember Berry, Berle and Buddha. ~ Bob

"There's no lightning. It's hard work. You take a fairly good idea, you get yourself top talent, you pay attention to your instincts and you back it up with incredibly hard work." ~ Mel Brooks

Don't look for luck, don't look for 'connections,' don't look for short-cuts – look for what has to be done and then DO IT. No matter how much hard work it is. ~ Bob

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down." ~ Mary Pickford

Which reminds me of an old Chinese proverb: Fall down seven times – get up eight. ~ Bob

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers

The road to accomplishment is traveled by the vehicle of action. Knowing how to do it is not enough to get you to your dream – you actually have to DO IT. ~ Bob