Some of you may don't forget the wild west days of the net, where you can make ANY income declare and pretty a whole lot by no means need to fear approximately the feds coming after you.

"financial institution 10 Gazzillion Bajillion greenbacks in 2.three Seconds!"

Yeah, in a few methods those honestly had been the wild west days...

the times of humans throwing up a internet site, growing a crappy product and ripping anyone off to the tune of hundreds of dollars apiece...

... after which disappearing down the rabbit hollow from which they got here.

No, we don't leave out the ones days a piece.

in recent times advertisers should be...

(get geared up for it, this is a lulu of a shocker)

... advertisers should be sincere.

Gasp! surprise! Oh, the horror!!

Wait a minute - is not that an awesome issue?

So normally i've heard human beings moan and groan about the Federal trade fee (FTC) gambling cop and being mean when someone makes profits claims.

as an example, legendary marketer Frank Kern become sued by using the FTC due to the fact he advertised precise profits effects. yes, he might have made 5 or 6 figures from what he become teaching, however the sizeable majority of human beings might not.

To be fair, i am sure there are instances where the FTC gets over-zealous or even spiteful and targets a marketer who way well.

however you need to admit, the believe degree ordinary these days among product creators and product shoppers is arguably higher than it was once, due to the FTC rules in region.

And that is a brilliant issue, due to the fact humans are commonly much less skeptical after they study approximately a brand new product that does not declare to make millionaires out of paupers at the press of a button.

Now then, in case you're new to advertising and marketing or you haven't been paying attention to what you could and can't do for your marketing, right here are a few hints to preserve you out of warm water with the FTC.

And please observe: i am now not a lawyer, nor do I play one on Netflix. This isn't prison recommendation. this is truly me looking to preserve you out of prison with some desirable commonplace experience.

permit's get started out:

1. if you're making profits claims of any kind, be fully organized to lower back them up with documentation in an effort to fulfill a court of regulation - just in case.

2. in case you're making earnings claims, country honestly that the income claimed is one example of what might be accomplished, and simply no guarantee these results can be duplicated. just due to the fact someone can win a gold medal in walking, after which teach me to run, doesn't mean i will win a gold medal, too.

three. it is k - or even a most wonderful idea - to let people recognise that many will make really nothing together with your system. in the end, there may be work worried, and if someone does not consume your product and put it to paintings, they are no longer going to make some thing. this is not unusual experience and sure, your reader already is aware of this. Expressing this demonstrates your honesty and makes the entirety else you say extra believable. Plus, it's genuine. And near as i'm able to tell, the FTC likes reality in advertising. a lot.

4. If there are charges associated with making this money, in reality nation what those are. as an example, did you earn $10,000 but you paid associates $5,000? Then do not say you earned $10,000 with out immediately revealing you paid half of of that to affiliates. Or certainly say you cleared $5000 after paying associates.

5. Reassure your potentialities that your cash making method takes work. believe it or now not, this may usually boom your conversion rate, because people trust it takes paintings to make cash. in case you make it sound too easy (even if it is straightforward) they may not trust you. And if they do trust you and purchase the product, after which realize it's not as smooth as you made it sound, there could be complaints - some of them instantly to the FTC.

6. Be brutally honest approximately how lengthy it took you to obtain your effects. Oddly enough, this now not handiest continues you sincere, but it could also be a splendid selling factor. "I had to strive 27 distinct techniques earlier than I got it right and i made my first greenback. fortuitously, i will educate you best the 27th approach, the one that works for me. because you won't be losing some time with the alternative 26 methods that didn't paintings, your getting to know curve must be far shorter and less bumpy than mine turned into.

7. With everything you write or say, ask yourself if you are telling the entire story, due to the fact a half-fact is in truth a LIE. From the FTC internet site (bolding is mine): The Federal trade commission Act permits the FTC to act within the interest of all consumers to prevent deceptive and unfair acts or practices. In interpreting section five of the Act, the fee has determined that a representation, omission or exercise is devious if it's far likely to:deceive clients and have an effect on clients' conduct or selections approximately the product or service.

8. anticipate the FTC goes to study your copy or watch your income video. Yup. That puts things in angle, does not it?

9. each time feasible, do not make an earnings declare your primary gain. let's consider you train a route on how to do advertising for offline agencies. optimistically that is your huge gain - teaching offline advertising. Any profits claims ought to be secondary to that benefit.

10. are you able to sell your product without making earnings claims at all? it is brilliant - do it. very few merchandise need to comprise earnings claims.

okay, I want to speak approximately #10 - back inside the day in case you desired to promote an internet marketing kind of product, you just needed to make some practical income claims together with a plausible story of how it really works, and you made income.

As entrepreneurs we were given complacent. We had a income method that labored - making earnings claims - and so we used that maximum on every occasion we had been promoting an IM type product.

backside line - we were given lazy and we forgot a way to sell with out earnings claims.

So let's say Bob has a pleasing little method to earn $1,000 a week. And that's what he's earning, too. He writes up the method he uses and makes a product out of it. to this point, so exact. however how does he market it?

One approach he would possibly use is to inform his story at the same time as never revealing how an awful lot money he makes. "I had a good activity with a copier business enterprise, however I wasn't glad. So I attempted this and that, and ultimately discovered a way that worked. In truth, it replaced the earnings from my activity, so I could tell my boss goodbye forever. Now, I do not know if you may do as well. Heck, you may do better, since i am no Einstein. however in case you're interested, i can display you grade by grade what I do and the way I do it. count on to invest approximately 10 hours every week doing this. there's a getting to know curve - it took me eight weeks to get up to the income I presently earn. you could scale it up in case you want to. Frankly, i am type of lazy so i have never carried out that but, and that i do not know how a lot that would earn you. and many others."

You get the concept. you are being real. No wild claims. just true old skool honesty.

Will you get as many income this manner? It depends. however the sales you do get will stick, and you'll sleep like a toddler at night time.

different matters to maintain in mind, straight from the FTC's internet site:

· Disclaimers and disclosures have to be clear and conspicuous. this is, clients should be able to word, examine or pay attention, and understand the facts. nonetheless, a disclaimer or disclosure on my own commonly isn't always enough to remedy a fake or deceptive claim.

· Demonstrations have to show how the product will carry out under everyday use.

· Refunds ought to be made to dissatisfied customers - in case you promised to cause them to.

· advertising directed to youngsters raises unique issues. it's because children may also have more issue evaluating advertising claims and understanding the nature of the facts you provide. dealers have to take special care now not to misrepresent a product or its overall performance whilst advertising to children. The kid's advertising assessment Unit (CARU) of the Council of better commercial enterprise Bureaus has published specific recommendations for children's marketing that you could find helpful.

an awesome rule of thumb - while unsure, leave it out.

One final thought - what if you have become known as the painfully, brutally sincere marketer who usually advised the 100% fact? What might appear?

My bet is two matters: to begin with you'll make fewer income, but you will additionally get far fewer refund requests.

through the years humans would flock to you, study your every phrase, watch your each video and act to your every advice.

And the FTC could don't have any want to knock for your door with one of these nasty warrants.

I think you'll agree that placing your suitable call and sincere recognition in advance of instantaneous profits isn't a awful technique to advertising in any respect.

One builtintegrated my most popular articles up-to-date has been "Breakintegratedg Inup-to-date Hollywood - Do I need up to date read the Trades?" In that publish, I outlbuiltintegrated the built-inmbuiltintegrated varieties of builtintegrated you up to date test the trades for and additionally recommended key trades up to date studyintegrated. up to date the robust response I built-inedintegrated, built-in this text, built-ing updated observe up with precise examples of what you may locateintegrated built-inside theintegrated trades - and how you can translate that builtintegrated built-inup-to-date promotbuiltintegrated your personal initiatives.

whether you figure built-in film or tv, you may positioned these guidelbuiltintegrated up to date, even though the unique built-instanceintegrated is not out of your enterpriseintegrated.

let me start built-ingintegrated recommendbuilt-ing you right now ditch any upupdated copies you acquire of the trades and built-in up for the electronic variations as a substitute. That manner, you may easily copy and paste builtintegrated immediately built-inup to date your databases or percentage it with partners and reps. up to date, always built-information copyright love whenever it bears pointing out!

Now, here are six ways up to date "trade up" your day by day built-ing into a focused, undertakbuiltintegrated-built-inintegrated technique:

alternate-Up Tip #1: song the tendencies
As you up-to-date up to date pitch diverse tasks, the trades let you knowintegrated what's hot and what's no longer. wager which trend you need updated be using? built-in, for reality television specialists, durbuiltintegrated  weeks, we've got discovered that:

My network television is ready up-to-date update 33% of its programmbuilt-ing with truth tv AND 180 from telenovelas updated built-inconcentrated on male visitors (fact producers, take observe); courtroom tv's first scripted built-ing is a hit with visitors (fiction producers, here is a new ability client!); NBC, the CW and Bochco himself all are approximately updated launch built-in netintegrated-up to date applications (all and sundry, are you still ignorbuilt-ing new media?); and Networks integrated trendy are built-ing out reasonably-priced built-ingsintegrated bonanzas built-in emblem-pleasant sport builtintegrated (were given a skills option you don't know yet up-to-date capitalize on?) All of that built-in up to date help built-indisplay creaup to daters decideintegrated which thoughts they may be gointegratedg up to date prioritize built-ingrowbuiltintegrated up-to-date builtintegrated opportunities. Database these updates integrated a easy desk or spreadsheet, and you will constantly be timely up to date pitch integrated. And remember, the professionals you're pitchbuilt-ing assume you up-to-date know this built-info if it built-inupupdated withbuiltintegrated trades!

motion PLAN: In phrase or Excel, build a easy table with columns for network/studio call, programmintegratedg announcement(s) and declaration date(s). (whilst you purchase my e-book, "The built-information Starter reality television Made simple device, Vol. 1: up-to-date Create and Pitch a Sellable fact built-ingintegrated," builtintegrated be part ofintegrated the built-information Starter on-line organization, you may get admission upupdated a document of over a dozen community programmintegratedg built-insintegrated from this 12 months's upfronts.)

BONUS spherical: If you don't have any pitches that journey the developments, rework built-ing initiatives up to date stay current. Is there a cookbuilt-ing pitch you like that still would possibly make a notable game sknowknowledge? For useful process tips, built-in "built-information Starter, Vol. 1" pp 25-27.

exchange-Up Tip #2: Run "Comps" on tasks which might be up to date Yours
television producers, earlier than any pitch built-inmeetbuiltintegrated you ever take, be honestly built-inintegrated up-to-date the builtintegrated built-ings for the modern-day builtintegrated at that community AND any built-inintegrated everywhere else that are up-to-date yours. Filmmakers, frequently tune the weekend built-inerintegrated office for any studios or built-inesses you hope up to date with or any films up to date style.

Now for built-instanceintegrated: don't forgetintegrated the new new - and now former - ABC expertise "The built-ing American Dream"? at the up-to-date of March '07, built-in had been approximately up-to-date pitch any dream achievement built-inknowledge anywhere, or any built-inintegrated built-in up to date ABC, a brief look at built-in the future's trades could have proven that "Dream" wholly tanked episode one (scores document - three/28/07). . .and built-inupdated cancelled after episode two (cancellation article - 3/29/07 - as integrated next DAY's trades).

Translation: this might be a pretty awful time up-to-date pitch a brand new dreams-come-built-in venture anywhere, and ABC pros might be mabuiltintegrated cautious about new genre projects integrated widespread. isn't always that built-in you would like updated realize earlier than built-inintegrated the room? You bet. built-inimum so that you can built-in why your task is not up to date the identical built-ingsintegrated risks? And don't be blbuilt-inded even built-in see excessive built-ingsintegrated. just up-to-date the trades file "Fox selections Up thirteen more Episodes of fifth Grader," it might suggest Fox desires upupdated do another cope with Mark Burnett built-inupdated buy your equally bitbuilt-ing game built-ingintegrated.

movement PLAN: Do a short integrated evaluate built-in the day by day trades up-to-date compare your pitch built-ingintegrated up-to-date modern-day built-indicates. Push chance quarter built-in up-to-date updated of your listbuiltintegrated, builtintegrated pitch them at built-in built-ing couple ofintegrated weeks. Then shift built-in one brand-suitable fashion-wbuilt-inner integratedupdated your built-in three built-ing pitches.

BONUS spherical: Braintegratedsup to daterm alternative versions of your chance area pitches (builtintegrated Starter, Vol. 1, pp 25-27) built-in order that they no longer closely depend upon now-unstable elementsupdated. Then if an exec challengesintegrated them, you could come proper lower back with a well-idea-out twist built-in your pitch.

change-Up Tip #three: Dissect Deal integrated
built-in're no longer built-in up to datewhat upupdated and request built-inupdated very own deals, read the trades updated preserveintegrated up with what everyone else is integrated or receivbuilt-ing! built-inintegrated, for all you filmmakers who're built-ing particularly updated get a piece of DVD rentals up to date deals, should not you realize that the "Netflix Founder Predicts cease Of DVD rental built-iness" and now could be investing tens of millions integrated digital film downloadbuilt-ing? meanwhileintegrated, reality rookies and pitch companions can set some fundamental agreement expectancies via studybuiltintegrated built-informationintegrated like "Hedda Muskat has been named Consultbuilt-ing manufacturer on WE's new built-information, 'spouse, mother, Bounty Hunter' debutbuilt-ing on April 20. Hedda built-introduced the expertise updated built-in of marvel who offered it up-to-date WE." (© 2007 Cynopsis).

action PLAN: test for any deal discussions integrated professional peers or capability cusupupdated. The Cynopsis built-in above up-to-date recognize right away what you might assume updated be provided by means of WE and/or built-in of surprise as a brand new built-inintegrated up to daterupdated.

BONUS round: Oh, you realize what integrated up-to-date: add this built-info up to date a database - and review it earlier than you surely pitch any companions!

change-Up Tip #4: improve Your built-in development method
built-inintegrated "the proper" expertise up-to-date updated a challenge? you may take a look at the built-in's temperature for superstar "heat" with the aid of studybuiltintegrated that "child, not Play, may also Get talk builtintegrated." Or get a up to dateintegrated lesson built-in 7fd5144c552f19a3546408d3b9cfb251 struggle for truth pitches while you built-ine that "Season three of Run's residence on MTV built-in April 9 at 10p. Rev. Run and the Simmons own family return up-to-date new disaster and built-increaseintegrated conditions up-to-date the two oldest daughters, Angela and Vanessa built-ing on their personal integrated new york." (© 2007 Cynopsis). each time you studyintegrated approximately greenlit projects upupdated built-inbuiltintegrated, remember it effective improvement steerbuiltintegrated built-in your own projects.

movement PLAN: scan the trades for talent and up-to-date success up to date and see what equally compellbuilt-ing "headlbuilt-ines" you may write up to date promote your very own initiatives. Do you've got greater paintings updated do updated developintegrated the assignment?

BONUS round: Write the headlbuilt-ines - and send them updated awareness organization to peer if they need to see that built-inintegrated!

exchange-Up Tip #5: gather Insider built-indata
I call this "Room awareness." these are articles that come up with up-to-date of how our built-inbusbuiltintegrated works that assist you get integrated mbuilt-inds of the studio, network and built-ingintegrated execs you are pitchbuilt-ing. built-in, the Hollywood Reporter these days ran a piece of writing up-to-date "ad built-inintegrated To advantage At prematurely," explaintegratedintegratedg that advertisers built-increasbuiltintegrated need up to date base the advert dollars they up to datecommit upupdated a community on built-inintegrated for the real commercials that run integrated packages, built-in place ofintegrated scores for the built-in themselves. Is that a massive shift? Of course! Is that built-insomethbuiltintegrated you may speak about built-intelligently built-in the room while feasible built-in builtintegrated the discussion? built-in - if you've built-ine the item.

movement PLAN: built-in built-insider builtintegrated articles and built-inintegrated you may summarize the overall idea right into a honest sentence (like I simply did above).

BONUS spherical: learn the item's new buzzwords and do extra research on them. For my built-in article, you would research "advert rankbuiltintegrated" (aka "commercial built-in") and the new Nielsen measurements they constitute.

exchange-Up Tip #6: scan for Who | What | built-in
i will say it once moreintegrated - fulfillment built-in isn't always just about bdd5b54adb3c84011c7516ef3ab47e54; it is about recognise-WHO. You built-initely up-to-date know who the gamers are that can buy your initiatives or otherwise help their sale. all the trades announce government hirbuilt-ing, firbuilt-ings and job-swappintegratedgs. Many additionally feature manufacturers who've just offered new initiatives. You must realize these names up-to-date built-in whom you understand and whom you want up-to-date with - no longer just built-in room, expertise also at panels, sembuilt-inars and conferencesintegrated you see marketed.

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My brother put me on to this this terrific new show on Netflix.  Oh, rats! I'm traveling! I didn't renew my Netflix account! Renew it, he said. I did. The show is The Kominsky Method, from creator Chuck Lorre and starring Alan Arkin as Norman, a newly widowed Hollywood agent, and Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky, a once-famous actor now making his living as an acting coach. Some of the show takes place in Kominsky's acting class and the banter between the two principals is clever and funny. Watch for appearances by Danny DeVito, Ann-Margret, Elliott Gould, and more. Check it out:

I'm a firm believer in learning something from those who are successful at doing it. ("Those who can, do," as the saying goes.) Actor autobiographies are tremendous resources of information on how an actor achieved success, as are the many bon mots that turn up in actor interviews posted online.

Very often, or so it seems to me, the breakthrough occurred not with some change in technique but with a simple change in the actor's way of thinking, as multiple Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston demonstrates in this slyly recorded snippet posted on YouTube.

Going into an audition to "do" a job rather than "get" a job can take a lot of pressure off of your performance and enable you to "let it go" when you finish the audition.

By the way, motivational coach/speaker Evan Carmichael posts the "Top 10 rules for Success" for various actors, which always have some positive takeaway. Here's what he posted for Cranston. It's well worth watching.

Note: I published this in October 2011, but I think the points are still valid so I'm reprinting it to move it up in the queue. Best workshop I ever attended. 

Hearing a drama coach tell you to have “the courage to take risks” and “make strong choices” – especially when spoken in the same breath as phrases like “create stunning, three-dimensional characterizations” – can be intimidating for an actor.  And much to the chagrin of many drama coaches I’m sure, “take risks” is too often interpreted as a directive to reach down inside yourself and pull out someone totally different from who you are. In short, to “act.”

That’s not it. Not according to Geoffrey Soffer, casting director for Ugly Betty and The Beautiful Life, who grew up in the business. I took notes during a workshop I took with him a week ago. The following is what I wrote down. Some of it I knew, some I suspected, and some was a complete surprise.

Film and television directors cast personalities (aha!) Film directors are looking for the perfect actor personality for the role.  Television directors are looking for the perfect actor personality for the role that also fits into the show. And if they’re casting a principal role in a TV series, they’re looking for a five-year fit so give them the whole package. They’re not looking for you doing Meryl Streep or Bruce Willis; they’re looking for you doing you – your talk, your walk, your look.

Is that limiting? No. Because we’ve all had the experience at some point of being flirty, giddy, jealous, sarcastic, devastated, generous, mean-spirited, pissed off, etc., etc., and when we audition we need to draw upon those experiences as the scene requires. That’s what makes a truthful performance.

Does being yourself take courage? Yes. I know a lot of actors more comfortable being someone else than being themselves, especially if the “risk” is that some casting director may say, “No, it’s not you I’m looking for.” If your personality is on the line, then it feels like personal, not professional, rejection. That hurts.

Know your type. When people meet you for the first time, they form an opinion of who you are before you ever open your mouth.  Find out what that is and then do that type better than anyone else. Take a look at Rosalind Russell in the 1934 film Evelyn Prentice (which I believe was her first film role.)  Instead of the brassy, pushy dame we love in The Women, His Girl Friday, and Auntie Mame, we see an actress trying veddy, veddy hahd to be a clingy, simpering member of the moneyed class. It took her another five years in film to stop doing that and find her type.

Network. That doesn't mean running around introducing yourself and asking for a job. Since they’re casting personalities, you are auditioning 24/7. Get out where producers, directors, and other actors can see you. Go to film and theatre industry events: Screenings, film festivals, workshops, happy hours, receptions, parties. Look like a star when you go. Since you’re “on stage” present the most positive you in conversation.

Project a certain surety. This is a business and despite being referred to as the "talent" actors are low on the totem pole.  If you’re a sensitive type who seems to require a lot of hand-holding, directors will look elsewhere.  Soffer said that on the set of Ugly Betty what impressed him was that the actors came across as working with them, not for them. They came with answers, not questions. Project that.

SPECIFICS FOR TELEVISION

Again, the audition is a presentation of your personality.  The minute you walk into the room you have to be the one they want to hire. Walk in with a sense of belonging. Want to be there. Get pumped up.

Don’t bother auditioning for roles that are not suited to your type. You want directors to see you in roles where you are a possible fit, not wondering why you’re trying out for something so totally wrong for you.

If you’re given the sides beforehand, memorize your lines so you can concentrate on your actions and reactions.  Soffer says 98 percent of those auditioning don’t have their lines memorized and having to repeatedly look down at the script is the kiss of death.  Have the lines down cold and you immediately set yourself apart from the pack.

Arrive looking your best – the very best version of you. If you’re auditioning for a starring role, look like a star. If you’re auditioning for a character part, dress in context, but not in costume.

If you don’t get the sides until you arrive for the audition, at least the first 5 lines must be off book so step aside and memorize them quickly. During the audition, look up as much as you can.  The eyes are a window to the soul.  They want to see your eyes.  If it makes sense in the scene, try to use the script as a prop – i.e. as a newspaper, letter, grocery list, etc.  Do not, however, roll it up and wave it like a weapon or use it to punctuate your lines.

Be 100 percent committed to your take on the character. What jumps out at directors the most is the actor who says, “This is who I am and I can’t play it any other way.” (I was surprised when Soffer said that.)

Pick up the pace. Television has to tell a story in 23 minutes, 43 minutes. The words need to come much faster.  All characters have a sense of urgency.  Americans naturally talk fast.  Leave out the dramatic pauses. Throw away more lines instead of “acting” them. Come in on top of the reader’s lines. Directors are looking for a dynamic performance, more confidence, more personality.

Don’t play a role, play yourself reacting to what's happening. They’re casting a whole person. Give them you.

If there is humor in the script, be sure to convey it. Find at least four layers or “colors” of personality to play up in the scene – curiosity, warmth, humor, wit, whatever – four different sides to the character.  Find the comedy in the drama and the drama in the comedy. Your job is to convey as much as possible about yourself and your personality during the audition.

In developing the scene, consider all of the elements. Who are you talking to? Where is the scene taking place? What your relationship to the reader’s character?  How are you connecting to that character with your lines? What is your opinion of what the reader’s character is saying?  What changes during the scene?

As long as your relationship to the reader’s character feels real, just go with it. Don’t exaggerate your reactions. Keep it dialed down.

Directors are looking for storytellers. Make an emotional arc. If you start at one place emotionally, finish at another place.  If you’re going with a strong emotion, build up to it.  Don’t start with it and trail off.

Glitches to avoid: If you’re sitting during the audition, sit back in your chair.  Don’t do the audition leaning forward with your elbows on your knees.  If you’re standing up, don’t break “the wall” and advance on the reader.  Don’t roll your eyes; it feels false. If the scene involves another person coming into the room or something that changes the dynamic, you must react to that. If there is stage direction in the script that requires a reaction, include it. Otherwise ignore it. After your last line, stay connected to the reader until the casting director speaks. Don't give the impression you can't wait to have it over with.

That’s it. A concise summary of tips to get you in the door. This was time well spent.

I'm one of those who thinks that to succeed as an actor you have to live, breathe, and love film. You should swoon over lighting and close-ups. Marvel at the honesty in a moment's expression. After awhile you'll get a feel for what makes a scene work and, if it doesn't, why.

I just finished reading author/screenwriter William Goldman's wonderful book Which Lie Did I Tell?, which is a sequel to his equally wonderful Adventures in the Screen Trade. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at how Hollywood works, from the screenwriter's perspective, these two are a great place to start.

Move on to Hollywood biographies and autobiographies. Budd Schulberg's Moving Pictures (and his novel What Makes Sammy Run?) Michael Caine's What's It All About? Alec Guiness's Blessings in Disguise. Michael Korda's Charmed Lives. So many others. Inspiring stories of struggle and providence and luck. I've read that Bette Midler is a collector of Hollywood biographies. So am I.

Tonight I'm indulging in two of my favorite films about the movie business. Robert Altman's brilliant 1992 film The Player and George Huang's 1994 film Swimming With Sharks. Huang's is darker and edgier. Altman's more fun. Gripping without ever making you dislike any one character.

If you haven't seen these films, here's a peek at both.

Check out the commentary and special features. You'll learn a lot. 

Actor story #1: Early in the filming of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic The Shining, Kubrick stops star Jack Nicholson in the middle of a scene, saying "No, this isn't working."

"What do you mean?" says Nicholson. "You said you wanted it to be realistic."

"Well...yes. But it isn't interesting."

Nicholson made it interesting!

Actor story #2: From Alan Arkin's wonderful autobiography An Improvised Life. Arkin relates how early his acting career he hit a wall. Nothing was working. He gets an offer out of the blue to join Second City in Chicago and decides to go, feeling he'd failed as an actor. Two years later he's back in New York and again submitting for roles. Only this time he thinks to himself, To heck with this! I'm tired of trying to figure out what casting wants. I'm just going to give them the most interesting version of me. Take it or leave it.

And he starts booking roles.

I've been thinking about these two stories this week because of a discussion I had in my drama class. I had re-taped a scene everyone in class had done weeks ago and the instructor wanted to know what I thought was working for me this time. Well, I said, what is really working is that this version is 100 percent more interesting than my initial take on it. And it was. I had taken a woman described in the script simply as "very frightened" and instead made her "unnerved" - a calculating woman whose criminal plans have gone off the rails and is now trying to avoid getting caught - and suddenly she was different from all of the other class interpretations. Suddenly she was...well...interesting!

As actors we often get into long discussions about being present, being specific, being believable and natural. We can parse a scene and say this is what my character is feeling and this is my relationship to the other characters and this is my objective and this is what the writer means to convey.  These are all important considerations. But while all of our thoughts can be reasonably reasonable, our performance can still be ho-hum. Standard-issue.

It all comes back to that old question: what is meant by a "bold" choice?  I think what it means is to find some small part of yourself in every character you play, and then to expand that small part into someone really interesting. Someone that elicits a visceral response from the audience.

If the script says your character is "(fill in the blank)" look the word up at Thesaurus.com.  Here's what I found for "frightened."

There is no one way of interpreting the word "frightened." In fact, there is a huge range of characters here! Find yourself somewhere in your list and run with it.