Adventures In Acting - Flexibility!
- Tom Sawyer
- Jun 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 8
This Month's Collection of Acting-Related Thoughts and Feelings
Finding our way to truth can feel like juggling infinite objects — flexibility is key!
"The Man with a New Idea is a Crank — Until the Idea Succeeds."
Mark Twain - Writer of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Flexibility in Acting:
As actors, our task is to make sense of the words we are given. Then, we deliver these words as if they came from our very own authentic selves.
Some believe this skill is closely linked to the dark art of lying. However, I believe that in our attempt to "make believe," we reveal more of ourselves than we often dare.
By exploring how we adopt the feelings and opinions presented in the script, we discover what we truly think and feel in our "real" lives. Each actor's journey to articulate what they mean and mean what they say is unique and ever-changing.
Some actors immerse themselves in Meisner repetition to stay present and responsive. Others find substitution useful, while some analyze their characters’ objectives as if they were detectives deciphering a text. Techniques may vary: some actors swear by breathwork, others by journaling. There is no single route to success—only your willingness to remain open and curious.
Embrace the Weird, the New, and the Unexpected
You might find yourself in a rehearsal room where half the session is spent making strange animal noises or rolling on the floor. You may wonder why. A team-building exercise? A test of your capacity for humiliation? You might protest, or you could simply go with it. The more peculiar the exercise, the more it might teach you.
You could learn to let go of judgment—or at the very least, have a funny story for your autobiography.
Fun Fact! Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper participated in shared "dream workshops" as part of their preparation for Maestro.
Why Flexibility Matters (and Not Just in Your Spine)
Acting is fundamentally a collaborative art. Every rehearsal room, film set, or audition space has its own dynamics, rules, and personalities.
Being flexible means adapting your process, your comfort levels, and sometimes even your expectations. Each project requires everyone involved—cast and crew—to be onboard for the journey. For actors, this often involves trusting that your team will guide you through the process, regardless of bumps along the way.
However, flexibility does not equate to tolerating neglect or malpractice in the name of art. If a company fails to provide basic equity, accessibility, or care, then the pressure of those deficiencies unfairly burdens the artists. It's critical to know your rights, maintain boundaries, and prioritize your well-being—physically, financially, and emotionally.
Know what you are willing to adapt and clarify what's non-negotiable. You are your business, and your health and values must be central to how you operate.
Adapting to New Environments
Once upon a time, at a now-defunct drama school in London, I enjoyed drinks after class with my classmates. While there, my mom called. After a brief chat, my fellow actors looked at me suspiciously. I had completely changed my personality while speaking to her. Not just my phone voice; I was a different person altogether.
Why share this embarrassing tale?
We naturally understand the need to transform ourselves to fit our surroundings, sometimes even subconsciously. In our work, we can facilitate that transformation by having a clear method and specific goals.
Working with Different People, Different Ways
Every director has a unique style. Some provide line readings, while others ask deep, philosophical questions. Some remain silent, expecting you to figure it out. Then there are fellow actors—some rehearsal meticulously, while others thrive on spontaneity.
Being flexible means meeting everyone where they are.
Tom's Tip: Cultivate curiosity about others' methods. Observe how someone finds their confidence on stage or screen. You might discover techniques that resonate with you. The more tools you have, the more versatile you become.
Final Thoughts
Flexibility in acting isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about remaining open to different ways of working. From unpredictable rehearsal rooms to diverse directing styles, the best actors adapt while preserving their core values.
Curiosity regarding others' processes and a willingness to shift your approach enrich your craft. But remember: flexibility without boundaries isn't sustainable. The skill of saying "no" is vital for every actor, especially when your well-being or values are at risk.
Your health and ethical beliefs must be central to your business.
The journey of any actor is rarely straightforward. However, it becomes more rewarding when we explore it together.
If this resonates with you, you're always welcome to join me in the work.
Stay flexible!
Stay playful!
Adventures In Acting New HQ
We have a home! Come say hi!
What better place to play than Playhouse East!
An incredible hub for creatives in the heart of lively/lovely Hackney, right by Haggerston station on the Overground (Windrush line).
Self-tape help, personal acting coaching, script analysis sessions, and more offerings are waiting to be discovered.
Let's play!
The ABC of Acting
Acting Book Club:
This wonderful little book follows Michael, a business owner struggling with burnout, who crosses paths with an insightful carpenter. Through their conversations, the carpenter shares timeless lessons on leadership, perseverance, and the art of creating something truly valuable.
The book is packed with practical wisdom, emphasizing that love, service, and care are the real cornerstones of success.
For actors, the lessons in this book point back to our "why" regarding our career paths, helping us maintain focus on our reasons for embarking on this rocky road.
Enjoy!
Send me your best acting book recommendations.
What's My Motivation?
The scene for this month's analysis is chosen by Philip Wolff.
Philip Wolff is an actor, writer, and director. He is a Senior Lecturer in Screen Acting at Leeds Conservatoire, where he facilitates and explores with his students approaches to screen acting that allow for the greatest authentic expression within the creative framework of filmmaking.
Phil comments on the scene:
"The context of this scene is key to appreciating the acting brilliance of Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano. Both play characters whose status is entirely reversed at this juncture in the film. In order to build his oil pipeline (and protect himself from a murder rap), relentless and insatiable oil prospector Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis) must submit to his most loathed adversary, the arch-hypocrite preacher, Eli Sunday.
Forced to admit his greatest shame in front of a church community, Daniel Day-Lewis commands the defiance and vulnerability of Milton’s Satan iParadise Lost. The kid gloves are entirely off as these two remarkable actors match each other, punch for punch - and quite literally in Dano’s case!**
It’s impossible to take your eyes off Daniel Day-Lewis’ irreconcilable internal conflicts, but Paul Dano is equally mesmerizing in his sheer, fanatical commitment and joy at seemingly having been handed the opportunity to bring his persecutor to heel."
Some context on the film:
There Will Be Blood (2007) is a riveting historical drama set during the early 20th-century American oil boom. Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), an ambitious and ruthless oilman, clashes with the charismatic preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). Both men seek power in a rapidly changing world. Through themes of greed, faith, and betrayal, the film explores the cost of ambition, the illusion of success, and the corrupting power of unchecked capitalism.
Click on the video link below and then check my short interpretation underneath:*
Themes of sexual abuse; viewer discretion advised.
This is a screen acting masterclass so intense and visceral that you could watch it a hundred times and still find a new delicious acting choice or a deeper layer of psychological torment lying beneath the surface.
For a bit of fun, let’s assign nicknames to our titanic performers:
Daniel Day-Lewis shall henceforth be known as DDL, and Paul Dano shall be referred to as Rev Eli.
This scene is a brutal, operatic tug-of-war between pride and power, submission and dominance. It's Shakespearean, Biblical, and unforgettable—it’s DDL and Rev Eli at full throttle.
We drop into this scene where Rev Eli seems to hold all the spiritual cards, having DDL by the head in a tight close-up shot. This clearly rattles our prideful DDL.
You can see DDL's face contorting with suppressed resentment as he struggles to hide his desire to be anywhere else. When Rev Eli first mentions abandonment, DDL subtly hangs his head in shame. Tears form in his eyes; this is a man who does not bow to anyone. Yet, here he is, forcing out the words, “I am a sinner,” through gritted teeth, as if chewing gravel.
Moment of Appreciation:
Actors, let's pause to appreciate the magic we are witnessing! We know that DDL is a fan of the 5 P's:
(Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance).
Even with his extensive character work, line learning, and collaboration with essential movie departments, the power with which he processes Rev Eli's line, “you have abandoned your child!” comes from a dedicated effort on the actor's part. Personalizing that line requires an in-depth exploration of your own experiences with abandonment to serve the role.
This ability results in one of the most human moments captured on screen. I will never tire of watching great actors do their work.
Rev Eli, sensing his moment, doubles down. He sees the power shift and relishes it, milking the moment for all it’s worth. He insists DDL repeat the painful admission louder and LOUDER—“I have abandoned my child!”
The words spit out in pain and rage until it appears DDL is about to faint from sheer humiliation.
Then the slaps!
It’s easy to overlook the intensity required to serve this scene—the heightened listening, the emotional depth, and the physicality on both sides—all conveyed in under two minutes.
As DDL reluctantly submits to the baptism and Rev Eli’s intensity gives way to the ceremony's end, we can all breathe a sigh of relief after such a charged moment of venomous energy exchange.
Stay safe, everyone.
And drink your milkshake.
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Thank you for your attention—stay playful, people!
Tom
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