Acting

Hi Penelope Ann Miller ! What a gift this AMA this - thank you for being so generous :)

I have two craft-ish questions:

1) you've mentioned navigating the shifts among screen, & stage - but what do you find never changes for you as an actor in your process, no matter the performance environment?

2) realizing your prolific body of work may render this question difficult, what is THE one role you are still searching for?

Thanks so much again for sharing with us.

Leonardo Ramirez- I appreciate this question since I do have a daughter who is an aspiring actor, and obviously, in this business, we deal with rejection more than we get offered roles. It's very hard at this young age to do more self-tapes than in-person auditions, and it's hard to build these relationships with casting directors. She looks at actors who are working all the time and may have been doing in-person auditions before COVID. But I tell her, "to compare is to despair", we all have our own journey and our own time, we have to trust that and have faith. If she has belief in her ability, in her talent, she just needs to continue to persevere and not let rejection be a signal or a sign that she isn't worthy or good enough. Everything is a learning curve, and it's an opportunity for growth. I've even seen my daughter continue to grow as an actor. She will also be a lot more resilient as a result of the rejection and not having success that comes so quickly. I think it's just all part of the process. She just has to continue to work on her craft and to study and believe in herself. I would say this for all actors, not just our daughters, of course. Hang in there and know that this is part of the process. Thank you for your question. I hope that is a helpful answer for you!

Thank you, Pamela Jaye Smith, for your question. I think that the difference between a studio versus an independent is money. That's the main difference: a studio project usually has a lot more money; therefore, you have more time, there are more perks, and it's a little more luxurious. Independents are just more challenging because you have less time, it's harder for production to get everything they want because they don't have the money for the things that make a movie superior quality. But that also makes it challenging sometimes in a good way, because it creates a bond between the team. I don't view independent or studio film any differently, as far as how passionate I am, how hard I work, and the research I do. I look at it all the same. I feel that that's the best way to look at any project, even if one has more challenges to it. I think we all have to just dig in, and if it's a great role and a great story, it's always worth doing, even if you don't get paid a lot. As far as the newcomers are concerned, it's a process, and there's a lot of rejection, but don't let that define you. Hang in there and continue to believe in yourself and work hard, know that what's meant to be yours will be yours. Try to grow and not let it set you back, but move forward, and look forward. I just like the work in general, so I'm happy to take on whatever the budget is, especially if it's a good role in a good story. If you're working with a great director and great actors, it can be fun no matter what the challenges are. I hope that helps!

It really is Penelope Ann Miller and it means so much that you took the time. I've had to deal with it myself so I can share with her from experience but I've not heard the phrase "to compare is to despair". I will carry that. Btw, her middle name is Faith.

HI Penelope Ann Miller thank you for taking the time to do this AMA. What a privilege. To piggyback on another question, have you had a role that was emotionally draining, and how did you "dump" so you could keep playing the role day after day?

I think using Instagram can help actors, writers, Alexandra Stevens. I post about Stage 32 blogs, events, etc. on IG, and I post pages of my scripts on IG, but I haven't really used it to network yet.

I think posting a lot about yourself on Instagram can make you too ordinary and over-exposed as opposed to bigger than life, but fans also like seeing a lot of posts, and fans like interacting with actors, filmmakers, etc.

I half-agree. Like most everything else, social media is a tool, and it can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how it's used. If you're famous then obviously you're subject to a lot more scrutiny than if you weren't, meaning if you post something in bad taste then chances are people will report on and hold it against you.

But even outside of the fame factor, social media, particularly Instagram, has been known to have a negative impact on your mental health because the algorithm pushes content that advertises a false, idealised reality, which makes ordinary people feel less good about themselves (not to mention the sheer amount of AI content exacerbating that). Posting a lot on there can also ruin, if not outright kill your mystique, leading to you not being as interesting as an artist.

All this to say he's definitely not wrong. It's a tool, and should be used responsibly.

Bricks I am laying this week----I am making a point to jump into the A&P Lounge twice a week.

Maurice Vaughan congrats, I guess you are even further along by now.

Suzanne Bronson are you working on a piece of writing at the moment?

Thanks, Alexandra Stevens. I'm on page 82 now.

Nothing I am going to share Alexandra Stevens

I think staying present in the moment Alexandra Stevens is the way to be consisent.

Suzanne Bronson yes so simple and yet no so simple in my experience

https://pro.imdb.com/videoproembed/vi4036345625?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Is that a memorable moment for you Jack Teague ? What made it so?

My apologies, Suzanne, didn't see your response until now. It was for me. IMO, it seemed potentially reflective of conversations hetero parents have with gay children who have been ostracized, capturing remorse, seeking understanding. Being totally outside my personal experience, I had to find that emotion.

I haven't heard those Brittany Christine but at parties people ask me to whip out a monologue like I'm a trained monkey there for their amusement. To which I say, "That's like asking a lawyer to do his summation here on the spot for our amusement."

The bizarrest that I have been told, was at 15 when I told my father I wanted to be an actress. His response, "You may as well become a prostitute then." Still have no idea what he meant by that but does give you insight as what type of people my parents are.

I haven't had any strange responses from men I've dated.

I am always amused though when I receive unsolicited advice from strangers/coworkers especially men. Like, "You should trade in your car, and pay a little more and get a 4door so you can drive Uber." (This was after I just purchased my very first new car a 2017 FIAT that I wanted. I wanted that specific car that's why I bought it, now a 27 co worker is giving me advice I didn't ask for because he wants to drive Uber.)

Between your comments and mine, I think we got a stand up routine.

I've been told by friends of the family and peers over the years that I should have kids, even though I've never had the desire to be a mother. I've had a family friend tell me that I would change my mind when I'm older. Well, that was in my late teens, early twenties. I'm in my forties now and still don't want kids. I have a cat ladies joke that I would perform at open mic nights and it's crazy to see how the younger men react to that. I find that the older men (Gen X and Boomers), don't care and can laugh at it, but the younger generations (Millennial and Gen Z men) act really offended that I don't want to have kids and they ask me, what if you meet someone who wants kids? I told the Gen Z guy, well he wouldn't be the one, Sir. lol!

Me too Haley Mary I think it's funny how everyone has an opinion on how someone else should live their life (I've been told what city NOT to live in because of politics) when they can't even get their own life together. I tell people, "I already have a dad. And you're not him."

Suzanne Bronson do you mean the Beyond Therapy clip? I love your bold acting choices in it and it is hilarious! Good on you for getting it out there. Interested to hear more about your process with it some time

Glad you found the video helpful. Jamie is such a sweet and loving pup. He and my wife volunteer for Pets On Wheels. They go into senior centers so the clients can talk and pet the pups.

Thank you. Yes Alexandra Stevens the whole reel is scenes. I also did The Hours, and A Trip To Bountiful.

Aaron Marcus, you're right. Acting reals are very helpful. Of course, famous actors don't submit actor reals -- especially actors who are on a TV series that everybody watches.

Well known actors will have parts written with them in mind. But, for most of us regular actors, they are crucial. Thank you so much for sharing,

That's great, Brandon Keeton. I've written scripts, made pitch material, given script feedback, etc. for free for friends. As long as I'm available to do something free for a friend, I will.

Great questions, Chikaima Uwakwe!

For me, it's all about the given circumstances and the dialogue. Those are the two things that you can't change. Then I break it down from there.

What I wish writers knew about actors work? Give us as much as possible. Write well, don't use cliches. It is very difficult to play a character with "nothing to do." I come from the theater where every character has a purpose. Every character drives the plot forward. I take that mentality to television and some shows like Law and Order are experts at making every count. It is like watching a stage play. Billions is another great example. But some TV shows....as a viewer who is an actor, sometimes I ask myself, "why are they there?" It's the old Star Trek joke. Whenever a new crew member suddenly appears, you know they're going to die.

First, I'd like to say actors are at different stages in development: Beginner, intermediate and advanced. Our education is everything from drop in acting classes to acting degrees from universities to community playhouses that offer onstage experience. And more options exist. I say this because there are methods and processes for actors to work through to develop their approach to bringing words to life. You get in front of people and deliver lines. Your instructor gives you notes. You are asked/taught to decipher a scene by answering questions like: What is the scene about; what are the qualities of your character; what qualities of the character can you relate too? Like a writer takes notes, learns structure, tells a coherent story and brings the characters to life. The work of the actor is always aided by the casting directors talent in matching them to the right character. Then during auditions there is input by instructors, coaches, the writers, the directors. The collaborative process requires a trained actor to connect with their character, but to enable that to happen, the actor for years must try, fail, learn, listen, give, risk it all and do so much more. It's like jumping out of a plane with a parachute, yet knowing everything about the plane, the parachute, the air speed, wind currents, the landing spot, the optional landing spot, the emergency parachute. When you are on stage or on set you have control of your physical and emotional self. You earned the booking, you have rehearsed the lines, and understand the character better than the writer and the director. That is a snapshot anyway. -- My ask of writers (I'm learning that craft myself) is to take two months of scene study and two months of improv classes. Step through the veil to learn our language. You may be happily surprised by the overlap between the two disciplines. Bringing the words, and therefor the character and story, to life, will be more evident, and hopefully closer to the results you are hoping for.

Really good questions Chikaima Uwakwe For me it's about reading the whole script and seeing how the character fits into the script. More specifically, what the function of the character is to the script, what the writer wanted to convey through the character. I then also look at everything the character says and everything others say about them to get as full a picture as possible of them.

for me it's about the circumstance and I also try to study that character ( the emotions, dialogue, storyline and character motivation)

Suzanne Bronson my favourite part of being an actor is getting to play at make believe. I also love the emotional depth and intimacy that can occur when the character i'm playing has a good connection with another character. I think because it has been 3 months since I last did any acting what I don't like is how quickly I can get rusty unless I make an effort to keep practicing i.e that it is a lifelong learning practice.

Neil Jaye love your question! Personally i like scripts where the characters have a lot of depth and nuance and quirkiness and are not just driven by the plot. For example the characters in Mike Leigh films. I also relish scripts which are about the relationship between characters and how individuals go about getting their needs and wants met by others.

It's simple Neil Jaye good writing. The script is everything.

I personally don't find self tapes hard. I also, wouldn't say something is hard because if you think it is, then it is.