Actors are, generally speaking, some of the most down-to-earth, well-rounded people around. Alan Cumming is one of them.
In this interview, we can not only learn from his advice (and Scottish accent), but also from the way he carries himself.
His emphasis on the entertainment industry being all about collaboration and connection with the audience reminds us of the importance of humility as actors.
“There’s been so much mythology and overthinking about acting that has been planted on top of the world of showbusiness which has ruined it […]. This over mythologising has made people very selfish and they’ve forgotten that it’s a collaborative thing, that it’s not just about you.”
His honesty and sensibility is gripping. He combats the actor’s tendency to let the ego reign. “The less muck you have between you and them [the audience] the better.”
And with a smirk he mentions, “Overthinking is the biggest crime of acting.”
Let this be a reminder to all actors not to overthink but to play with a childlike imagination, to collaborate with one another, and to connect with our audience.
