So I'm sure I can't be the only one who sees other actors and becomes jealous of their acting ability. It is especially hard in class when you see someone who is just such a naturally gifted actor. Argh, I know it's bad to compare yourself to others but I kind of can't help it. What do you do when you see such a talented actor who may end up becoming your competition? Is drive in the end more important than pure talent?

I think you are the only one that gets jealous Peanut Butter. Hate to say it. :-) Just kidding of course!

I suffer through the same thing constantly. I strongly believe that hard work and drive will win out over laziness and talent. As far as seeing someone kick ass and wishing you could've done that, I'd just say know that your best is enough. You don't have to be THE best, you should just worry about doing YOUR best.

To be jealous is to be human.

I think Prospective is right to say that "You don't have to be THE best, you should just worry about doing YOUR best."

Everyone brings something unique to his or her acting.

I get REALLY jealous of people with killer hook-ups. I have the talent.

There's a really good book out right now called "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell (he also wrote "The Tipping Point").

You may want to check it out. It's a study of those from various fields who became extraordinarily successful (hence the term "outliers") and tries to distill some common things that helped them get there.

He talks about talent -- it's one element, but not THE most important one.

It's practice. He often talks about the "10,000 hours" concept - that people who become extraordinarily successful get there because THEY WORK THEIR ASSES OFF. By the time they're in a position to succeed, they have spent 10,000 hours practicing their craft. That works out to around 10 years (3 hours a day for 10 years).

Interestingly enough, quite a number of actors really establish themselves after 10 years (you may not see 10 years of IMDb credits before their first lead role, but they've been at it longer in the shadows).

I believe even Meisner said something about how it takes 10-20 years to become a good actor. Yes, for some it comes a little easier, but we ALL have to work hard.

And it's the ones who work hard that have the greatest chance of success. Not necessarily the most talented.

Preparation meets opportunity. It's cliche, but that's what it's about. Preparation = hard work.

Think about it with other fields.

Try sports. The 22 year old kid who got drafted by the NBA? He's been playing basketball since he was 12, maybe even younger than that. I remember hearing an interview with an NBA player some time back (can't remember who) who tried to explain why African-Americans basically took over basketball -- he mentioned that for white people basketball was a sport; they'd play it in gym class, and maybe in practice if they played on a team. For black kids, they played it in gym, in practice, AND on the playground all the time. It wasn't just a sport, but a way of life. By the time they're in high school, many of the black players logged in probably twice as many hours playing the game in their lifetimes compared to the white kids - it's because of all those hours on the court that it's simply no contest; the black kids have played it so much that it's in their blood. Same goes with why Canadians are so good at ice hockey, why Brazilians are so great at soccer, and so forth. It's practice.

Same with other professions.

It takes approximately 10-15 years from the time you start law school to the point where you become partner in a law firm. Same with Wall Street bankers and business school.

This probably isn't any secret, but it comes down to logging in your time.

Also, after a while "talent" and "hard work" becomes fluid. What's the difference really? All you see is the result.

When you see some guy or gal blow you away on stage or on screen, how do you know whether it's innate talent or the fact that the person may have worked twice as hard as you may have? Even in class where we all think we're "peers" - how do you know that person who's really good hasn't worked twice as hard as everyone else? No one likes to admit they work their asses off. It's much sexier to be casual about it, to let others hold onto the mystique that you have "talent".

Just because it looks effortless and seems effortless doesn't mean they didn't work their tails off so that it becomes effortless.

Well I do not know other actors, and feel jealous to any certain actor.

I don't get jealous with people in general, since I believe I am still better in my other qualities besides one quality. I think it's great that a person is smart or good looking, but is the person "me"? No, the person will never be "me", and there's no jealousy. I see competition as a healthy way of improving your oneself, if you feel like you aren't good enough. I know my weakness and I plan to improve them.

I personally think the idea of "naturally gifted" simply means that this "naturally gifted" person just feels completely comfortable and relaxed when on stage/screen or in class.

I took a workshop this summer with one girl who was just purely NATURAL. What I mean by that is, when watching her, every single facial expression, movement, and word that she said came across so smoothly and easily.

I just watched her in awe. Of course I was a little jealous, because I am usually at least a bit nervous when I'm performing up in front of the class. Its the "classroom" thing, you know? You don't want the other students to see you mess up, because you're all supposed to be learning something and getting better.

I felt like if only I could be that relaxed up there, I could do just what she did.

Getting put on the spot really IS tough.

To be jealous of other actors is human, to be better than other actors, divine.

www.robertkim.com

quote:

Originally posted by Robert Kim Photography:
To be jealous of other actors is human, to be better than other actors, divine.

www.robertkim.com

I like it.

thanks for your words of wisdom!

no way, man! no way! jealous? based on what you think is "better"? we all have out "thing". work your thing. be happy for that other actor, never, EVER, jealous! learn from what you think is good, and think of how you can grow. but if you are feeling jealous...your not placing your emotions, your headspace, and your efforts in the right place at all. do not compare yourself. easier said than done, i know. but, we all have some thing about us as individuals. ive seen actor who may not be the best, but they are engaging and they work all the time. just continue to work and explore your range and your abilities, and not in comparison to any one else.

I'm envious of Shia labeouf. He got to meet optimus prime for christ's sake.

Pallaspallas and Matthew~ I feel your two comments both~ but that is what is exciting about the profession, because you never know when you will be amazing~

Well said DONQ- me myself I never understood how one could be seriously jealous of ones success. I mean I too get bothered when I see the Lindsey Lohan, Brittney Spears, etc. get famous than F&@ks it up over drugs or something stupid. I get bothered when here it is I'm struggling to get out there, and they seem to be taking it for granted with their frivilous antics. But jealous I wouldn't say, because no one is doing nothing in this world that I can't do. Some may get there faster than others due to what ever reasonings that may be. But I'll get there better late than never as the saying goes. lol !! That's just my individual take on "Jealousy of other actors"

If you get jealous when you see someone who is a better actor, then do you also get jealous when you see someone who is simply being their self?

Truly, acting is what you bring to the table, what is unique from you. If you don't have a lot to bring to the table, I suggest traveling, having real life drama, adventures. Enriching your identity through sensual experience of life, trials, and tribulations.

I don't envy the aspiring actor who comes from a sheltered, spoiled, provided for past, where the only drama in their life was their parents arguing over whether to get a minivan or a station wagon. It is going to be really tough for someone to get meaty roles when they are coming from such an uneventful past.