Recently there’s been a bunch of talk about ‘type’ and ‘brand’ in reference to the actor. As if we didn’t have enough problems with our identity, now we have to know how we are perceived and can be marketed.
Being someone who looks like a million other people (at least half my acting friends are brunettes in the 26-35 age range, REPRESENT) the idea of branding myself makes me want to take a long walk off a short cliff. I just want to be an artist. I don’t care about all the commercial, money making, Hollywood image, ‘how do I fit in your box’ bullshit. At least until my bank account says “screw you get a real job then.” Ok you win.
So where to start? Unless you’ve got some crazy charisma and a look so fresh Will Smith be hittin you up, you have to get creative. And, let me be totally honest, I was not a cute kid. I wish I was joking. I had a horrible awkward stage where they thought I had Lupis, I tucked every shirt into my acid wash jeans (even sweathshirts), my feet grew before I did (I still feel cheated that I’m not 5’8 like the doc said), I was underweight and pale, and I had a fierce loyalty to the disabled kids. I also read a lot and my brother was my best friend. Grades 1 thru all of school sucked balls. So the idea of embracing a part of myself that’s different is terrifying. Vomit inducing. And goes against every fiber of my adult being who’s fought to be accepted.
I’m not in the bonnet. Best friends! My poor bro.
My wonderful acting coach, Steven Anderson, always encourages us to walk into fear. Have your little death and embrace what terrifies you. Well this scares the shit out of me. I can’t even watch the playback on my films. I refuse to make judgement on myself and critique performance because once I break that seal I WILL NEVER BE HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME. *Sidenote: all acting teachers who made us tape our work, I have never watched those tapes. Shame on me!
But something interesting happened to me this last week. I auditioned for a larger film and for a great supporting role. I was terrified. I was shaking. I was like ‘WTF get your self together!‘ I really, really wanted this part. When I walked into the room, the casting director asked me how tall I was. Uh oh. I had on my 4 inch shoes and timidly looked down and mumbled “5’2 without shoes”. I waited for the laugh. It didn’t come. Instead she said, “That’s perfect for this role. Take off your shoes.” Uh excuse me? I kicked off my shoes and felt….liberated! I’m always the actress that needs the apple boxes, who’s pants need to be hemmed, that people see barefoot and say ‘oh you’re so miniature!’. It was exciting to let that go.
What does all this mean? I have no idea I’m still processing over a glass of Cab. But I have started thinking of myself in terms of what makes me different and branding. And for once it doesn’t make me throw up in my mouth. Progress!
How do you feel about branding yourself and identifying type? Any tips out there?
Great post, Lisa. I kind of hated branding for a while – I thought it was because I didn’t want to be pigeon-holed and such, but I think mostly because I really didn’t know how to do it, how the hell other people saw me and I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know anyway. One of the common things I hear down here is “the second part of type-casting is casting.” Well, amen. I’m finally learning to embrace that. And I don’t think anymore that just because I’m starting to embrace this concept means I’m taking a grand gesture and sacrificing my artistic integrity, etc etc.
And about the height thing – I’m 5’6.5″ and I used to round up on my height, now I mostly round down…there are a lot of short guy actors in town…
So kick off those shoes! 
And crossing fingers you book the film! <3
Thank you for the reply Jessica! It’s fascinating to hear what it’s like in LA and how it differs from here. And it’s encouraging about the height thing.
I love following your endeavors and adventures. I can’t wait to watch all the success unfold for yah.
Here are my thoughts. I’m in love!! You are an inspiration to my 5’2″ body! I love that you and I completely attacked a very awkward scene together…and found ways to make it even more awkward. I love that you’re gorgeously petite because I’m petite too and feel like a mini-person walking around the streets of NY in my flip flops, with 99% of the adult population towering over me. I often have thoughts of, “what am I thinking trying to be an actor?”, when all I see around me are women with long hair, long legs, and the money to make it all look like a million bucks. I have the exact opposite. But it’s women like you who INSPIRE me to believe that there are roles out there that I am PERFECT for. And to walk into a room and have them say, “Yes, take off your shoes” – Wow, that’s something to celebrate!!! <3
LISA!!! My height/name twin. I feel yah sista. Thank you for sharing your story. It’s hard being short, I aint gonna lie. But people like you inspire me to embrace it. And your spirit is so large and joyful that I forget you’re so tiny!
Well said, Lisa. You had me at “Awkward”.
I know “types” exist and actors ignore the realities of it at their peril sometimes, but in my heart I do believe that, even if it’s your looks that get you work, skill and talent are the things that will keep you working. Besides, weird sells these days. People are loving the quirky and nerdy and offbeat now more than ever. Maybe not in mainstream Hollywood circles (bean-counters hate variables), but so what? Those guys are becoming dinosaurs anyway. Who wants to party with a dinosaur? Okay, maybe I would… with like a Stegosaurus or something… cuz they have an extra brain in their tail!
OFF TOPIC!
Anyway, yes. Weird is good. Rock it.
When I read Stegosaurus my first thought was steak. And now I’m starving.
But in all honesty- thanks for the response! Sometimes it’s hard to even figure out what unique is. Or the cool type of ‘weird’. It becomes such a head game that I give up and just do the work. Hone the craft.
And you are probably one of the most unique people I’ve met. You definitely make a great and memorable impression- and that is something to be proud of!
Cheers to my fellow weirdos.