Analysis of Health and Well being + Strategies
Contrary to how actors and performers may perceive themselves, or be perceived by an audience, actors are also human beings. They will experience emotions like other people, possibly even more extreme due to the emotional scale of actors generally being much higher than the average person. As a performer, I have found performance stresses easier to deal with than life problems. I have found performing an escape from my life problems. During the productions I have been involved with, I am often a calming influence and positive presence, whilst others are getting stressed and anxious. Contrary to belief, I do suffer from stress, mental health issue and feel pressure. It's how I deal with the feelings and normally, when I am in a stressful situation, I will become more organised and focused. I also find pressure stimulating and pushes me to work harder.
The performing arts industry is can be stressful and extremely high pressure. There is also the times when a performer is unable to find work and this can lead emotional states such as depression. As an actor, the roles can also be emotional challenging. Techniques such as method acting, or emotional memory, may require the actor to use emotions such as anger or to tap into their own personal experience.
Another side effect is that performing can be a buzz, a high and even euphoric experience. The aftermath of which can be a massive comedown, that can lead to strong emotions such as depression or even suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is important to have strategies to help a performer to be able to offset or compensate for the strains of working within the industry.
Useful tools I have been able to been able to gain during my life time are one such as CBT, that uses Behavioural activation and NLP. For example, if I am thinking negatively, I am more likely to experience depression or anxiety. Black and White thinking is also potentially dangerous and it is wise to see the grey area or a neutral territory when dealing with challenges such as social difficulties. Mind reading is negative thought process, where we perceive to know what the other peoples thinking in regards to how they feel about you. You may perceive that a person does not like you, but this is not often the case. It is our misconception that drives much of our social anxiety. I try to think positive of a situation, what do I gain at the end? What can I do to improve the situation? Is the situation as bad as I feel, or is it my thoughts that make the situation difficult? The tools I have learned in the past from working with Cognitive Behavioural Therapists will be valuable going into the future as a performer.
In the past I have been too much of a perfectionist and would put to much pressure on my self. I am now more relaxed in this regards and this alone, improves my performance. The work is a life long process, I will improve naturally over time and with experience as long as I keep working on it. I do realise that it will take months, years, decades.
Yoga has been a useful tool for dealing with stress and helping to relax. Flexibility is important for performers, particularly dancers. Breathing techniques and yoga are useful for bring an actor into the moment and helping performers to relax.
I attend regular massage therapy, which I use to help with various muscular issues I may experience. The therapy is beneficial for helping to maintain my health and well-being. On top of helping with muscular issues, massage therapy can also be mentally relaxing. The therapist is also supportive and provides advice on stretches, or helpful activities. They may suggest causes of issues and actions I should avoid to help improve my condition.
As a performer, we will often have to deal with awkward people, just as we have to in life. The main social problem for performers is trolling or virtual bullying. A performer may release material and people may abuse that person or be harshly critical. Although I have been affected by trolling and been upset by it, I have come to see trolls as people who criticise others, but would never be prepared to put themselves in the same position. They hide in a cave. If we were all trolls, there would be no new art, no new inventions, no progress. We would still be living in the dark ages. If you want to be a performer, you want to do something new, as tragic as it may be, you have to be prepared to be trolled. It's part of the progression to creating something new and its has been important to develop the confidence to beat trolls.
Before considering a career as a professional, I also need to take steps to work on my life issues. An example of some of the issues are insomnia, addictions (smoking + coffee) and social anxiety. I have already taken steps in regards for example, addiction, by limiting the volume of consumption and moving to less addictive or safer alternatives. Long term I would recommend that I do not consume tobacco, as not only will it improve my general well-being, but also protect my voice.
As a performer it is important to have a strong support network outside of performing. As I not have any close or support friends or family, I have found that I am able find support elsewhere such as being member of varying groups. Within these groups I have many friends and I I feel that is a safe place for me. For example, I may not feel safe at home, but I will feel safe within these groups. Most of the groups are performing based, such as choir, so this also allows me to to gain experience and work on my skill. Despite my oddness, I am generally accepted within these groups, where as I may be considered too weird anywhere else.
The New Normal
The Pandemic - The pandemic has lead to changes within the performance arts industry. This was obviously due to the lock down preventing live performances taken place. The knock on effect of this was that theatres were unable to generate an income, actors were unable to work. This means many theatres potentially were forced to close and performers have considered looking outside the industry for work.
To compensate for the lock down, theatres are now exploring the idea of broadcasting live performances to streaming services. This means that the can stage plays and musicals and be produced using a cast, but without the need for a present audience. Theatres would be setup to specifically film a version of the performance for streaming. This service was popular during lock down as it allowed people to gain access to the performance. It is now used on many professional performances and it allows the production to become accessible to a wider audience.
Film has also been affected. Films scheduled to be released in cinema were instead released directly to streaming services. However, it was extremely challenging for Film productions during the pandemic. The volume of films being released is still at a trickle and many films productions have been delayed for periods of months or years. During the period, films were produced that used small and isolated cast members. They were able to produce films by editing their own parts together.
Due to COVID 19, their is now a new role known as a COVID officer. Although the situation is now more relaxed, their role would have been important for helping to start working on productions during restrictions. The officer would check that cast and crew are following protocol. This was important as 1 COVID outbreak could potentially bring a production to a freeze.
During the lock down, it was possible for actors to still gain work as voice actors. This lead to many actors switching from live action to voice acting. Voice acting can potentially be performed in any location, in complete isolation. Voice acting is therefore worth considering as a career option as it allows actors to find work during situations such as a lock down
The #metoo has been been a platform, a voice for women who have been abused be men in positions of power. The performance arts industry has been notorious for the methods in which women have been abused, particularly the way in which producers have used a 'casting couch' to seduce women and to offer 'potential' roles in exchange for sexual activities. The most profound instance is probably that of the producer Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein was a big time Hollywood producers who had used his position to sexual abuse female actors and was also known for hosting 'parties'. Women, mainly female actors have since come out and testified against Weinstein. Not only has Weinstein been sentenced, the case has lead to similar action being taken elsewhere again producers, actors and powerful people in other industries. The increase in reports has been called the 'Weinstein effect'.
The #metoo does not deal exclusively in sex crimes against women, but it is also a voice for equality. This is important, especially within the performing arts industry where often women will be paid less than men within similar roles. Women will also be asked to do more than men, such as they may be asked to wear revealing clothing. Overall, the movement has been positive, but there have also been many drawbacks from the movement.
The #metoo movement is open to abuse. Although most of the times there would be a legitimate reason for women to make a claim against a male, it has been used by women to make false accusations against men. A women may claim discrimination, even if they have been fired overlooked for legitimate reasons. If they are not given a job, they will claim that this was because they are a women, or have been judge unfairly. Also the #metoo movement allows women to make claims against men without proof. A male may make a comment that is considered sexist or derogatory. The man may touch a women innocently, such as on the hand or arm and this may be considered encroachment. The man is considered guilty without trial. Even if the man is innocent, their career could be ruined by one false claim. Although the #metoo movement was for a time necessary, I feel an official platform would be the best way to move forward and progress. This is too avoid false claims and to ensure everyone is actually treated fairly and equally. The movement also reveals hypocrisy, because when its the other way, men do not have a leg to stand on. If a woman grabs or touches me, says anything sexist or discriminates against me because I am male, I do not have the same rights as a female.
The main change to help prevent claims and situations occurring in the future, is the creation of roles such an an intimacy coach. The intimacy coach ensures that all performers feel comfortable with what is being asked with them, particularly during intimate scenes such as sex scenes.
There is also still a disparity between the pay of men and women working in the industry. As a performer, a male is likely to paid more than a female playing a similar role. There has been little improvements in closing the gap over the last 40 years. This is not exclusive to the performance and is generally the same across all industries. Within film, males actors are paid roughly 2% more than female actors. To look at an example of how a male lead is likely to be paid more than a female lead is that there has only been one major film where the female lead receive a higher income. In the film Notting Hill, the lead roles were played by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Although Grant has been in many films, Julia Roberts is an A list Hollywood actor. Therefore it's not surprising she is paid more for the role. However, if her reputation was on Grants level, she would most likely have been paid less. Despite this disparity in pay, the gap between male and female actors, is much smaller than the national average across ALL industries,
Women are also under represented behind the scenes. It is far more difficult for a female to become a successful director or producer. This is not because of lack of skill, abilities or artistic vision, but is generally for cultural reasons.
One of the fundamental issues in regards to film is the representation of disabled performers. Most often, disabled characters in productions will be played by 'able bodied' actors. A example positive example of inclusion being in the TV series Breaking Bad, Walt Jr is a character that suffers with cerebral palsy. The real life actor who plays the character, also suffers from the condition. There representation is more accurate and tasteful. Often when an able actor plays a disabled role, it often seems distasteful. There may be reasons for able bodied people to play disabled characters, such as the condition is too severe. Another reason may be that the actor possesses the characteristics required of the character, or that a part is written for them. Overall, I think the industry will become more inclusive overtime. In the past, it was the case that most actors were able bodied people, the pool did not contain enough performers to represent varying parts. This is no longer the case and it is seen that people from any background and condition can become actors. Many troupes and companies such as DV8 are specifically focused on inclusivity and the fringe of society. They has used disabled performers in their productions and it has ADDED artistic value.
Changes have been made, for example is now deemed distasteful for white performers to play ethnic roles. Stereotyped characters such as Chinese or Japanese, have also been frowned upon. The general trend is now moving towards performers being close to their character in terms of background.
Although equal representation and inclusivity are progressing, there is the danger that it could have a negative effect. For example, it may be that a film is considered too PC, that they are choosing performers to appear inclusive, rather than casting performers because they tick a box in a diversity chart.
The performing arts industry has the potential to create a culture sift than any other industry. The is because performances create social norms and can be representative of life. There is great diversity in life, people of different backgrounds on the streets. Performances should therefore provide equal opportunities for performers of all backgrounds. When the performing arts industry is able to make this change, the rest of the world will be forced to pay attention. At the end of the day, we live in an imperfect world and we can not expect things to be fair or perfect in one day. However, are moving in the right direction and progress is being made. I know this because there are many different groups of people who have been successful in the industry. The industry has provided a platform for women and ethnic groups. Yes, before the 50's/60's the industry in the West would have been dominated by white majority, but the industry has allowed change. People enjoy art of any form, regardless of the origin.
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