Expectation

This week the first class of students that I didn’t teach for Step 1 become Step 2 students. For me, this means that handing control of Step 1 over to Ian Watt has been successful. Of course, the true test for Ian and his students is that they surprise me with their expertise, knowledge and commitment when they enter Step 2. This remains to be seen of course, but I have a feeling from the make up of the class that it’s going to be a good one.

My expectation is always very simple. I don’t expect my students to be uniquely gifted, I don’t mind if they are, but that’s not what impressed me. My expectation is simple, it’s GRAFT. That’s all it is. Ladies and Gentlemen, that’s the key to being an actor, are you willing to GRAFT or do you have the expectation of greatness without willing to earn it through graft? Our craft is pure graft and those willing to graft hardest and never give up grafting, they’re the ones that impress me, a lot. True, talent is a wonderful thing, but talent without graft is a waste.

In my classes, I just want people to show up early, sit down, listen up and put their time to best use. If you can do that, you can be a working actor. If you can’t do that, go waste someone else’s time. But as I say, I have a feeling that those entering Step 2 are ready to give it 100%, I hope so, because I am and nothing gets me going more than a group of people that really want to learn the craft of acting.