November
5, 2014-
What’s My Type?
Have you just ever
purposefully did something COMPLETELY out of your comfort zone? I mean just because?
It has a remarkable outcome, I must admit. Of course, sometimes it is a rude
awakening no less, but overall you learn something quite wholesome about
yourself. As a performer, I love to play against my “type”. Type meaning what I
would traditionally be cast as for a role or part.
I will never
forget when I was a sophomore in high school and I took my first Acting for the Camera class
and our second day assignment was to sit in a circle and one by one we went around
typecasting each other into roles. -_- Harsh
right? Exactly and it is funny because as I felt the circle closing in on me…I
already knew the answer. I didn’t fit in. And wouldn’t you know?? The class had
a hard time placing me in a type. The teacher, who to me is a complete crock,
simply put it “sometimes the best people in a scene are the people in the
background” What the fuck! Lol… I
know and I have to admit to this day that moment sometimes does pop into my
head. Especially when I see a casting notice come up asking for a “sexy,
alluring type” or “friendly, girl next door” or even…just a leading lady. I get
all knotted up thinking about where I fit in this industry.
Of course I must
be nuts because I went to still pursue acting full-time and lo and behold…I
still have never landed a lead. LOL…but I know my talent and drive level speaks
volumes. At least to me. So while I am not “pigeon holed” into a type or
whatever, I am enjoying exploring my range. Trying out different roles…something
new and different. Why? Because I can really push and see more. I am still getting
used to the fact that I am not what you call an “ingénue” or leading lady, but
I can bring more than that.
The worlds of
theatre versus the world of film are sometimes the funniest pair of best
friends. They both stress the importance of talent, skill, and blah… but the
truth is LOOKS still holds much precedence over most casting decisions. At
least with theatre, you can explore the range against physical type but all in
all, why is that looks are so important to a character or a role? Granted, ones
appearance does dictate how some may interact with a person, but in the end don’t
the manner in which they act matter more? That is seriously the conundrum of
being a performer. Am I getting this role because I DESERVE it or because I
LOOK like the part? I fit the “type”.
Hmmm…just
gives you something to think about…
Brit
Website: http://main.brittney-s-harris.com
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