Be yourself, be natural, don't be somebody else. We all have heard these words sometimes in our lives or at least have reached this realization based on some experiences. Like you I too have thought about this sometimes in my life and work. The meaning of being yourself or being true to oneself sound a bit abstract concepts. Can it be explained in easier terms? Recently watching Jodie Foster's interview on Inside Actors Studio, she said something that stuck with me.
Jodie Foster on being asked a question about what should a new actor should show the producer to get his or her foot in the door. It sounded like a sensible question to ask. I am curious about what others' are interested in seeing in me that would make them like me or hire me or marry me! In others word I am generalizing myself for others' convenience. I am aligning myself to what society or media has deemed to be usual and suitable to be liked or hired or married.
Before wandering too far giving my own opinion on Jodie Foster's answer. She answered, "I hope you're not focusing on that. You don't try to be somebody else, try being yourself. You try to act cooler. But...acting is about being the un-coolest person in the room. If you can just be who you are and not apologize for that. Be the un-cool you that you are inside".
It is another way of saying it is your imperfections that define yourself. Imperfections are not your bad qualities but rather your own way of behaving or reacting. The most endangered species in our lifetimes is ourselves. We're constantly bombarded with ideas, suggestions, trends, judgments that reach the core of us. These create a natural reaction that is unpreventable if do not protect ourselves. Some things in us need to be changed but in the overall process the core shouldn't be lost. The un-cool I is the true I. It is sans of any modifications or vanities or false believes. It is curious and open to changes but at the same time protecting the truth.
Jodie Foster on being asked a question about what should a new actor should show the producer to get his or her foot in the door. It sounded like a sensible question to ask. I am curious about what others' are interested in seeing in me that would make them like me or hire me or marry me! In others word I am generalizing myself for others' convenience. I am aligning myself to what society or media has deemed to be usual and suitable to be liked or hired or married.
Before wandering too far giving my own opinion on Jodie Foster's answer. She answered, "I hope you're not focusing on that. You don't try to be somebody else, try being yourself. You try to act cooler. But...acting is about being the un-coolest person in the room. If you can just be who you are and not apologize for that. Be the un-cool you that you are inside".
It is another way of saying it is your imperfections that define yourself. Imperfections are not your bad qualities but rather your own way of behaving or reacting. The most endangered species in our lifetimes is ourselves. We're constantly bombarded with ideas, suggestions, trends, judgments that reach the core of us. These create a natural reaction that is unpreventable if do not protect ourselves. Some things in us need to be changed but in the overall process the core shouldn't be lost. The un-cool I is the true I. It is sans of any modifications or vanities or false believes. It is curious and open to changes but at the same time protecting the truth.
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