“When I was 18, I went to college for two years and didn’t work for a year which was essential for me, because my identity had been so influenced by my being an actor, and I think I just needed to discover what it was to be myself, divorced from all that responsibility.

“So I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t acting out of habit, but because of a genuine interest and passion and I have lots of competing interests in, I wanted to respect that about myself and give myself a chance to genuinely explore other possibilities.

“I finally realized that yeah I did want to be an actor and it wasn’t out of habit, but I needed to grow up for myself and then kind of re-enter the industry with a sound understanding of what my sensibilities and my values are as a relatively formed human being.”

From The Virgin, The Whore, and Claire Danes – Terminator 3 Interview, by Paul Fischer filmmonthly.com

Photo at top from “Stardust” (2007]; bottom from “Shopgirl”
~~

Claire Danes, celebrity and personal growth, acting passion

Claire Danes on wanting acceptance

Claire Danes admits that when she was growing up, she “wanted desperately to please, to be a good girl. I wanted acceptance. I still do.”

Like many artists, she sought acceptance in renown: “A part of me desired fame because I associated it with love. That was a total mistake. Fame doesn’t end loneliness… I chose a public role, and it’s illusory to think that fame immunizes you from rejection. Famous or not, you can still feel invalid and unloved.”

Acting, she has found, has other payoffs. “We’re all on an emotional journey with each other. And the point of acting is to share, to connect. That’s why I act. Acting is the greatest answer to my loneliness that I have found.” [Parade mag. Oct 2, 2005; photo from Shopgirl 2005]

Linda Dessau on criticism

In her article 10 Tools for Dealing with Criticism and Rejection, writer and coach Linda Dessau notes, “Whether it’s feedback we’ve asked for, an unsolicited remark called out from the audience or a simple ‘no’ result of an audition or submission process, criticism and rejection are a huge part of our lives as creative artists. Sometimes we’re so fearful of being criticized or rejected that we keep our creativity bottled up and don’t let it out.”

Discouraged from trying

But discouragement may come from other people in entertainment who really should be more supportive.

In her recent Talk Back column, “Only Serious Actors Need Apply” [BackStage Jul 27-Aug 2, 2006], actor, writer, comedian and filmmaker Maria Menozzi [mariamenozzi.com] noted that casting directors, teachers and even fellow actors are often negative about pursuing the dream to be an actor.

“This is the only business I know of in which people are outright discouraged from trying or continuing,” she wrote. “I have spent thousands of dollars on classes, coaching, workshops, pictures…

“I’ve been rejected, rejected, refused, and ignored – and did I mention rejected? But I have persisted, practiced, and persevered… I am an actor, and I plan on stickin’ it out for quite some time.”

Being aware of negative messages – from both others and ourselves – plus being careful to keep encouraging a healthy self concept are among the ways to stay resilient, so all that rejection does not have to be crippling or corrosive.

Also see Self-esteem Products / Programs.
~~

Claire Danes, actors need for approval, artistic confidence, self-esteem products