Want to Be a Better Actor? Drop Your Ego.
If you want to become a stronger actor, you have to learn how to drop your ego. That’s easier said than done.
When it comes to making strong character choices, you absolutely should trust your instincts. Make a decision, commit to it, and have the confidence to follow through. That’s a huge part of acting. But you also have to understand something: your interpretation of a scene isn’t the only interpretation that can work.
A director, casting director, writer, or acting coach may see the exact same scene completely differently. And that’s okay. I was sitting in on a casting call where a young actor was reading for one of the lead roles. The scene was between him and a female character. During the scene, his character eventually realizes he’s interested in her and asks her out. The actor made a clear choice from the beginning: he already liked her. It wasn’t a bad choice. In fact, it worked. But the director gave him a simple adjustment: “Don’t let us know you’re interested right away. Realize you kind of like her toward the end.”
Instead of simply trying the adjustment, the actor pushed back a little. Nothing dramatic or disrespectful, but he clearly believed his original choice was stronger.Maybe it was.But that really wasn’t the point.The director saw the scene differently. So who was right? Technically, they both could have been. There are often several ways to play a scene successfully. But in an audition, the director or casting team ultimately decides what version of the character fits the project.
That’s why adjustability is one of the most valuable skills an actor can develop. Good Actors Make Choices. Great Actors Can Change Them. Strong acting isn’t about finding one “correct” way to perform a scene. It’s about making a strong choice, committing to it, and then being able to completely shift that choice when someone gives you a note. Maybe your character is more confident. Maybe they’re nervous. Maybe they’re hiding their attraction instead of showing it. Maybe the objective of the scene changes completely. Can you make that adjustment without becoming defensive? That’s something directors and casting directors notice. And it’s one of the reasons on-camera audition training, scene study, improv, and character development are so valuable. The more you practice changing intentions and character priorities, the easier it becomes to adjust without overthinking everything.
Your First Choice Isn't Precious. Actors sometimes become attached to the way they rehearsed a scene. You’ve practiced it twenty times. You know where the pauses are. You know where you’re going to smile. You know exactly how you want to say every line. Then someone gives you a completely different direction. That can feel uncomfortable. Good. That’s where the real training starts.
At Dope Creative Studios in San Antonio, a big part of our approach to on-camera acting and audition training is helping actors become comfortable making bold choices while still remaining flexible. You shouldn’t be afraid to make a strong choice. You also shouldn’t be afraid to throw that choice away. Keep the Confidence. Lose the Ego.There’s a big difference between confidence and ego. Confidence says: “This is the choice I made, and I’m going to fully commit to it. ”Ego says: “My choice is the only choice that works.” Here is a link to our calendar.
Those are two very different things. Whether you're preparing for a self-tape audition, working with a casting director, taking acting classes in San Antonio, developing a character, or filming a scene for your demo reel, the goal should always be the same: Make a choice. Commit to it. Listen to the note. Then be able to completely change direction if necessary. Keep your ego in check, stay flexible, and always be respectful of the people you're collaborating with. That flexibility might be the thing that gets you hired.
