Keeping It Reel: An Actor's Blog

Nobody walks into a job knowing everybody or everything.  It takes time to learn everyone's names and everyone's idiosyncrasies.  It takes time to learn how things are done.  The film and television industry are no different. Especially if you haven't gone to school or worked as an intern on sets. There is a rhythm to things and it takes time to understand that and move with it.  Even if you're new to a business, however, you know right from wrong. At least, you should. There are some really simple, basic rules to life that everyone should have a knowledge of by a certain age. Those important lessons we learned in kindergarten really are important and really do play a part as we move along in life.  Intentional disregard for the basic rules is no excuse.  Right now there is a storm brewing.  Clouds of discontent are forming and the winds are changing. Sides are being chosen. Voices are getting just a little louder...

"You like me. You really like." https://youtu.be/rl_NpdAy3WY Yes. We all remember that speech. We all remember the awkward reaction from the audience.  We've all seen the parodies and heard the jokes. It was 1984 and Sally Field had just won the OSCAR for BEST ACTRESS for Places in the Heart. Her speech was emotional and honest and I think that's where the awkwardness came from.  I think I can say with some certainty that nobody was upset that she had won the OSCAR. Field's performance in Places in the Heart is a heart-breaking and fierce. The awkwardness after she said 'You like me. You really like me" wasn't because people thought she was weird or crazy or egotistical or whatever.  In my opinion, the awkward applause and weird energy from those in the audience after she uttered that now infamous phrase, was a reaction to honesty.  Field spoke the truth and some people just can't handle the truth.  (Hello ...