This video clip with Eric Bana and Leslie Mann is from the trailer for their new movie Funny People.

In a BackStage magazine interview, Mann says she is terrible at auditioning. “I get so scared, and I can’t seem to get out of my head,” she admits.

She appreciates casting directors who are patient with her, and notes there were many who were rude. “The people who responded to me were the people I respected,” she says.

“I remember the people who were rude and dismissive; I would watch the TV show or movie they cast, and it was always a piece of shit. Always. And the people who responded to me or were kind to actors, they always made the good stuff. So when people are being assholes, you might as well not waste your time and walk away..”

Good advice. Many actors get anxious about auditions, about not getting work, dealing with difficult people, and other issues that are kind of built in to the profession.

Energy psychiatrist Judith Orloff, M.D. works with many actors to help them overcome anxiety.

She says one approach is using beta blockers or Inderal, a medication to reduce stage fright by decreasing the fight or flight response.

But she thinks a better way is a three minute mini-meditation she teaches her clients, and includes in her book Emotional Freedom.

It helps people “learn how to breathe, center themselves, let their thoughts flow by, and focus on something really nurturing and positive for three minutes, which is a better way to shift your anxiety and really own the moment.”

Dr. Orloff also writes about how to deal with energy vampires, like some casting directors, acting coaches and, really, people in any field.

BackStage interview article: Isle of Mann

Audio interview with Judith Orloff, M.D.

Book: Emotional Freedom, by Judith Orloff.

Non-drug help for stage fright etc: Anxiety Relief Solutions

Acting articles

Talent Development Resources

“It’s important to present oneself as relaxed and confident..”

Gabriel Byrne commented that the audition process “is really a most inadequate way to determine if an actor is right or not for a particular role. Unfortunately, it’s a situation that most actors have to accept.

“Work on developing an unshakable trust in yourself and your talent. It’s important to present oneself as relaxed and confident even when you don’t feel it.”

From the book: How to Get the Part… Without Falling Apart! by Margie Haber

Quote from the page Acting3
More Books: acting
Photo from “In Treatment.”

Too much of a good thing

In her LAcasting.com article Relax into acting, Colleen Wainwright notes, “It’s great to have a little fire in your belly. But if you’re reading this, my guess is that your problem, if you have one, lies in the other direction. Because too much ambition, ferocity, gung-ho-ness is death to good acting, bad for the health, and not particularly attractive in an audition situation either.”

She adds, “We’ve all seen it: that high-strung actor who’s so intent on saying his next line, he’s barely listening for his cue. Or maybe (ahem) you’ve actually been that person on stage, having a scene go by you in a blur, kicking yourself for letting the scene play you instead of the other way around.

“For the speed-meisters, the simplest, easiest ‘hack’ to help you regain control of yourself in the moment is literally to stop yourself ever so briefly before responding in a scene. Take a beat and take in your partner, or, if it’s a monologue, the situation; let yourself check in with how you’re feeling and how your partner is feeling before moving on.

See her article for more suggestions.

Intensity vs anxiety

It isn’t that high energy is “wrong” – it is sometimes called intensity or excitability. Giftedness consultant Lesley Sword describes this in her article Overexcitabilities in Gifted Children as “an abundance of physical, sensual, creative, intellectual and emotional energy that can result in creative endeavours as well as advanced emotional and ethical development in adulthood. Overexcitabilities feed, enrich, empower and amplify talent.”

But there seems to be an enduring mythology about creative inspiration and performing as an actor, for example, that it benefits from an “edge” of nervous tension or even anxiety.

Creativity coach and author Eric Maisel, PhD comments in our interview Ten Zen Seconds (about his new book) that this really is a false and distorting idea: “It isn’t at all clear that tension or anxiety is what’s needed for peak performance and lifelong creativity,” he says.

“They may be unavoidable by-products of the difficulties that we face as we try to do large things and connected to our fear of failing, fear of making messes and mistakes, and so on, but they are not beneficial per se.

Passion without anxiety

“You want enthusiasm, passion, love, curiosity, interest, and so on to inform your work and to exist right in the moment, in the performance moment or the creative moment, while at the same reducing (or eliminating) your fears, worries, anxieties, and so on.

“Creating is not an energy-neutral state: it is a high energy state, with, at its healthiest, enthusiasm and not anxiety driving its engine.”

From my post To create we need high energy – not anxiety.

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Also see Overcoming Stage Fright and other Anxiety Relief Solutions, and Self-esteem Products / Programs.
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acting book, performance anxiety book, High sensitivity resources, entertainment psychology

Nervous excitement

“With any film and even theater, you never get over being scared and overwhelmed, because it’s a new character and that brings on a whole new set of circumstances.”

Alison Lohman is talking about one form of anxiety that actors experience, and may try to avoid or stifle.

But there can be value in that kind of energy, she adds: “That’s the exciting part of it – it’s those nerves that bring you to a higher level and makes you more hyper-aware. It makes your performance better.” [Quotes from Hollywood Reporter]

Anticipatory anxiety

Psychologist Eric Maisel notes in his book Performance Anxiety that fear can show up even before an event like an audition, and this anticipatory anxiety may be hidden, so you don’t even recognize it.

You decide, for example, not to go to the audition, telling yourself, “Oh, I’m not right for that role,” or “I’m sure that part’s pre-cast,” or “That director’s never liked me.”

You’re as worthy as they come

As many people point out, acting is not for the faint-hearted.

Author Monroe Mann [book: The Theatrical Juggernaut: The Psyche of the Star] says, “If you want to succeed in this business where the supply for actors is high and the demand is low, you better get any trace of negativity or pessimism out of your system from the outset…

“If you don’t think you are just as good, and just as worthy of success, as the stars, then you are doing yourself a grave disservice.”

Varieties of treatments

Anxiety can show up in various ways; it is not just a matter of stage fright, and it can undermine your self-concept, self assurance and drive.

If it is too strong, maybe you should look into getting help: cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or nutritional supplements can all be helpful.

Related pages:
Anxiety relief products/programs
Anxiety relief books
Supplements
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acting book, anxiety products, performance anxiety book, entertainment psychology

Commenting about her feelings this morning and her best-actress Oscar nomination for “Transamerica,” Felicity Huffman [left, as Bree in the film] said, “I woke up in fear and anxiety – which I know is the enemy of art, and in general.”

[CNN Showbiz Tonight Feb 13 2006]

Nicole Kidman admits, “Every time I star in a film, I think I cannot act. I’ve tried to pull out of almost every one I’ve done because of sheer terror.” [Reuters news story in 2003]

Her ongoing anxiety and stage fright is also related to impostor feelings.

Many actors and other artists reportedly struggle with anxiety: Kim Basinger; Barbra Streisand; Alanis Morisette; Aretha Franklin; author John Steinbeck; Nicolas Cage; Naomi Judd; Carly Simon; Edie Falco, among many others.

Anxiety can be positive

But anxiety has different flavors and degrees of impact on us, and it isn’t always a “bad thing” to be avoided or medicated away, unless it is really interfering with your ability to be aware and able to express any emotions and thoughts you want to.

Neuropsychiatrist Richard Restak, M.D. thinks “We’re all anxious and it’s a good thing that we are. At its optimum level, anxiety can help you formulate possibilities and imagine yourself in the future.

“When you ask yourself, Can I perform at the best level? you’re having an anxious thought, but it’s leading you to strive toward something.”

His book is: Poe’s Heart and the Mountain Climber : Exploring the Effect of Anxiety on Our Brains and Our Culture

Actor Alison Lohman notes, “With any film and even theater, you never get over being scared and overwhelmed, because it’s a new character and that brings on a whole new set of circumstances.

“That’s the exciting part of it – it’s those nerves that bring you to a higher level and makes you more hyper-aware. It makes your performance better. [Hollywood Reporter, Mar 5 2003]

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Heath Ledger on anxiety and nervousness

A recent news story provides another example of how anxiety shows up:

Heath Ledger is horrified that some people who watched him introduce a clip from “Brokeback Mountain” at the Screen Actors Guild Awards misinterpreted his stage fright as some kind of gay spoof.

There was no time for Jake Gyllenhaal and him to rehearse their introduction of the cast, Ledger said, and they were told to go out onstage. Gulp.

“I am not a public speaker and never will be… I’m just not one of those naturally funny, relaxed actors who enjoy the spotlight and are so good at it. And this was really weird because we were basically introducing ourselves, like here’s this brilliant cast and guess what, it’s us.”

So he got the giggles. “How can you say all that stuff – ‘two brave cowboys’ – with a straight face? It was just so surreal.”

“I am so sorry and I apologize for my nervousness. I would be absolutely horrified if my stage fright was misinterpreted as a lack of respect for the film, the topic and for the amazing filmmakers.”

[From article “Ledger explains his SAG giggles” by Elizabeth Snead on TheEnvelope.com / LA Times]

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Here are more resources :

Performance Anxiety: A Workbook for Actors, Musicians, Dancers and Anyone Else Who Performs in Public – by Eric Maisel, PhD.

Free ebook “Anxiety Tips” available from ConquerAnxiety.

Anxiety Relief Products / Programs

Anxiety relief books.

Self-esteem Products / Programs.

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anxiety products, anxiety books, performance anxiety book, anxiety and acting

[from Actors Ink interview]

> his book: Your Face Looks Familiar : How to Get Ahead as a Working Actor

> He also teaches acting – see michaelbofshever.com

> more books: acting
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casting call anxiety, Michael Bofshever , acting careers, performance anxiety products