For years and years I had more of a "hate" relationship with my actors than a "love" one. I just never understood why actors should dominate the priorities of my films (and to a large degree I still don't). That being said, I've spent the last three months living with a new sub-letter in my apartment, one who happens to be a professional actor. We've had many, many, many conversations about film in general and acting in specifc. I've been amazed by how much work he puts into his craft (we're talking hours and hours and hours rehearsing, running lines and delving into the depths of the characters psyche). It's not something I really understand, and it's not something I'd ever want to do, but it's impressive and I respect him for it...

While I think some grade-A actors are so self-absorbed, it's tough pretending to be someone else and nailing it. I mean really nailing it like doing the research and getting all of the little things like mannerisms, how you hold a cigarette, facial reactions, body language, a certain walk, a laugh, dialects, etc. Memorizing your lines, taking direction, feeding off of the other actor(s) and so much more make acting far more layered than just speaking the lines. Good actors make directors look better - and the other way around.

ACTING... that is the problem. Most people want to "ACT". This is why they come off (on camera) fake, shallow, winging it, superficial, ect...
Very few people put the hard work needed to transmit a "true breath of life" into that character. They say, "That part is so me, it was written for me....Bulls!@#. It's a paper-character...it come to life what you breath into it. BE a deep mix of yourself and the character. Most bad actors fail to prepare and cram (like a college final) before stepping on set. Acting take constant studying and process improvement, just like a doctor, lawyer, or any other professional. Would you want your doctor to wing it just before your operation? Then I present this to Actor want-a-bee's, practice, practice, study and practice. To director and casting agents...BE nice. Self-indulgence's and holyer-then-thou (old school directors and casting agents) attitude is the spring board the younger generation is capitalize on. Technology and an eagerness to work (to put the over-time in, not relay on their name only) is going to send the old bulls out to the pasture. In short... "Don't act... just BE."