On the Topic of Role Playing…

Acting is an art form. It is a skill that needs countless hours of practice just like any other trade. When you become proficient at something, there are things about it that you cannot describe to teach another person. I suppose that’s what you call a personal touch. Some people play one type of game for a decade and become unbelievably good at what they do. The same goes for instruments. If you do something every single day in routine it becomes part of your muscle memory.

Acting is no different. You develop a charisma, you learn to communicate body language, you literally have to become a different person. You have to think like the person who you want to be. Some actors will stay in character for days from wake to sleep. Personally, my talent is imitation. I have imitated people for humor since a very young age. When dreaming up a new role, my mentality instantly adheres to the sort of person this is. I’ve been playing dungeons and dragons since I could read and have countless characters stored away in a folder, each a unique one of a kind person. I can pull those people from the depths of my mind and become them in an instant.

In essence, what is acting? Well, if you want to get down to the nitty gritty, it’s professional lying. Now, when I was a child, my and my siblings played a constant game of cut throat. My mother was a monster and it felt like you had to lie as if your life depended on it. Same thing in school. You get attacked by three people and they fabricate some bs story about how you assaulted them, not only are you facing damage to grades, your teachers and principals will see you differently, but your parents are going to be furious. What do you do when you know the truth is useless. You fabricate something sound solid and complex on a dime. This benefited me greatly later in life.

You want a job? Your boss has to like you. You have to put on an act, a mask, a lie during that interview. Is that job with the public? Well then you better have good customer service skills. Better known as a fake personality, or synonymously, an act.

Acting skills don’t just land you a part in movies. It pays the bills and it keeps your belly full.