Michael Laskin Studio

We recently had two very special events at The Michael Laskin Studio: Ron Perlman came and spoke to my class about his artistic, professional, and personal journey as an actor.  And I also hosted an event called “The Actor and the Camera”, and our guest was the great cinematographer, director, and documentarian Haskell Wexler.  These two events were scheduled a few days apart, by necessity – not by choice.  But the unintended result was that we all got a mega-dose of inspiration in a concentrated intense burst.

Ron so eloquently said in my class, “You have to hold it right here”,  gesturing with great purpose to an aspirational spot just above his eyeline, and out toward the horizon.  He was referring to how we need to regard and approach our artistic lives. He recounted, seeing the great Irene Worth in “Sweet Bird of Youth” when he was a young actor – and getting absolutely nowhere in his career or artistic life. Her performance was for him, at that crucial juncture, a gigantic artistic peak; it inspired him to continue on. He said, “I knew that if I could have even a small part of what she accomplished that night, I’d crawl through whatever I needed to be able to effect people like that.”

And, as Haskell spoke of his incomparable career and work, there was an enthusiasm and genuine interest that many people half his age do not have.  He was engaged.  He was truly interested in what’s coming next.  He custom-tailored a presentation for us because he is still interested in what we are all attempting to do together. For a man nearing his 90th birthday, he was the most modern guy in the room.  His artistry is unquestioned, but his continued passion, curiosity, and engagement in artistic matters was an inspiration.

And, we need stay open to inspiration.  We must be reminded of what it was that made us so excited that we had to do this – despite all the nay-sayers who advised against it.  We need to remember our original impulse.  Becoming jaded and detached is an easy “go-to” place.  Don’t linger in that little cul-de-sac.

Ironically, I think now may be the best time to be an artist.  Go out into the world and try to do something “safe.”  A lot of the so-called safe choices don’t make much sense anymore in our changing world. Safe is so 2008; risk is now the rewardable virtue.

Last month I attended wedding anniversary party for my  sister and her husband, part of which was a ceremony where they renewed their marriage vows.  It’s one thing to know what’s in your heart, it’s quite another to publicly restate it in front of friends and family.  It clarifies, it distills, it leaves no doubt.  It was also very moving.

It occurred to me that as artists, it would be a good idea to renew our vows to ourselves; to declare what we are about, to restate our dedication, and our devotion to this pursuit we chose. This is a very difficult choice we have made, and it seems appropriate to renew that vow from time to time. Take a full measure of yourself – rededicate your passion, engagement, and focus.

I have certainly had many periods in my career when my dedication waned.  Being an artist is a wonderful thing in a vacuum, but the business part of being an actor was often fraught with compromises and disappointments.  Looking at my IMDB page, for example, shows a tangible record of work. But it doesn’t show the struggle.  From the outside looking in, it looks impressive. From the inside it was often a “war”: fighting to get that audition, losing jobs to those on the “lists”, hoping that the luck I saw bestowed on others would one day shine on me.  It’s a tough gig we have chosen, and it certainly can test your dedication.

Every so often the renewable option on our heart and soul comes up for review.  It’s at that juncture that we should formally renew our vows – to ourselves. So, put your stakes on the table again.  Remember your own “Irene Worth-moment”.  Reacquaint yourself with…..yourself.

We are the ultimate renewable resource.