Are you an actor, a director, a writer, a creator? Then the gift of listening is not just your gift to others, but also your gift to yourself. You will be better at whatever you do if you are a good listener.
For actors, the camera is most interested when you achieve the great quality of unselfconsciousness. Listening is your pathway to that state. For directors, you are at your best as a collaborator when you can bring your attention to those you are working with. "Ask, don't tell," is the advice I give emerging directors working with the creative team on their projects.
QUICK, CHEAP, EASY
You know what? Curiosity and listening to other people is the quickest, cheapest and easiest pathway to achieve those elusive goals of unselfconsciousness with the camera, and easy connectedness with other people.
So, using this time of year as a crucible, I encourage you to conduct an experiment: Consider the quality of your own listening and observe how well others listen to you.
THE HOLIDAY SEASO…