Why I Act

There are a thousand things I could have done with my life - engineer, doctor, hedge fundie, politico. Hell, I was already a lawyer. Tried that for 3 years actually (which doesn't count the 36 months of Vietcong-style torture that is law school). I was rich by any measure outside of Wall Street, Hollywood, and Martha's Vineyard. I'd have been a millionaire in 10 years if not sooner.

I could've travelled the world or been an astronaut or at least an astronomer. I could've written books or poems or occupied my time with enlightening the minds of America's youth. But I chose to act.

Why?

I chose to act because I want to touch people's lives. I have no interest in fame (I'd do without it if I could). Fortune is nice, but I've already had that and it's not enough. I need to feel like I'm doing good in the world. Movies are universal. Regardless of your station in life or location on the planet, movies have the power move you. Whether you're in India, China, Russia, Belarus, Britain, Sudan, Argentina, or the United States, the feelings are the same when you see Andy Dufresne escape from Shawshank, Tom Hanks rescue Private Ryan, and Luke Skywalker save his father and the galaxy.

Aaron Sorkin is brilliant. He could have done anything other than screenwriting. But if he had, we wouldn't have The American President, The West Wing, A Few Good Men, and The Newsroom. What's beautiful about those stories is that they show us what we aspire to in political discourse, intellect, and moral fortitude. Whether or not such a state of affairs is even possible, it's important that we believe it is and even more important that we try to make it so. Seeing it represented on screen motivates us to strive for the greatness we see there. Sorkin used his ability to show us what we can be, and for that I am eternally grateful. I want to do the same.

Movies show us the best and worst of ourselves. They allow us to cry. They force us to laugh. They incite, inform, instigate, and inspire. They tug on our innermost heart strings and tickle our funny bones til we're blue in the face.

Good films make dancers and dreamers of us all.

I want to be a part of that. I would trade a dozen Oscars to be in one Shawshank Redemption, Apollo 13, or Seven Pounds. I want to do more than entertain. I want to help people escape, take them on an adventure, make them smile, and give them hope. I want to make people believe that Elliot's bike can fly over the moon. I want others to share in the magic of Harry, Gandolf, and Yoda. I want to make people believe in the impossible.

That is what I aspire to. That is why I act.

What do you aspire to?

(photos courtesy of Andrew Parkhurst, David Carangan, Will Wallace, Jonny Robinson, and Rashel Hagmayer)

-- Gabriel Voss

Comments

[Patrick Morgan]

I think you eloquently described, in your own words, what I've been trying to express for the past year whenever someone asks why I'm drawn to acting. The best moments of film are like good poetry in motion and with emotion, able to move and affect people.

[Gabriel Voss]

Patrick - Thank you so much for your kind words. I had actually settled in for the night and was going to watch one episode of The Newsroom before sleep. It happened to be the season finale and as you probably know, Aaron Sorkin (writer/creator of the show) is NOT to be trifled with when it comes to inspiring finales. I was so inspired I had to get up and pound out that blog because for once I felt I had the faculties and words to get it right. You are exactly right about the connection between film and poetry and I'm very glad to hear that my motivation to do this resonates with someone else. Thank you for stopping by and I wish you the temerity to continue to pursue this dream for as long as it brings you joy. Rather than wish you luck, I'll wish you the fortitude to push through on those worst of days we face as actors. Dum spiro spero.

[The Diamond Agency]

This is an inspiring blog posts that so many of our clients have expressed to us personally. Acting is a craft, and as an actor, you must face adversity several times in life. Stay passionate.

[Gabriel Voss]

Diamond - Thank you for taking the time to encourage. Knowing others are rooting for us goes a long way to helping us actors keep on pushing that boulder up the mountain. Hope you have a great week!

[Kathleen Sauer]

Perfectly Eloquent!!

[Gabriel Voss]

Kathleen - Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you are finding your passion as well.

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I think acting is a art of imaging thing & let them happen. In acting we also have to behave in front of audience & have to reveal our skills such as vocal representation, clarity of speech, ability to express emotional shades of all kinds. Apart from that very nice post thanks for sharing!

[Domiziano Arcangeli]

Gabriel:
i was touched and affected by your words.
We had actually met briefly during the casting sessions and later on a set of my very first film's (co)-directing endeavor, a movie i also produced for TLA Releasing and that i am not necessarily so proud of.
It actually turned out quite well, and, it made its way into at Shriekfest, and in Action on Films Festival's, while we're trying to help the marketing, before TLA puts it out there. I know what i directed,unfortunately or fortunately( i should not say that!) not your segment, but i recognize some of me in all the segments ( a good 60% of it i did direct) i had the opportunity to work on..
Despite a trite idea,and poor dialogue which Steve and I tried to re-work, without truly much benefit, also, due to certain time's constraints (the whole package was part of a deal i had to complete in order to free myself of my obligations for TLA), and, very little character's development,so, honestly, the experience was great learning aimed towards my true directing debut soon, and, the film is what it is, and such is life.. but, i can certainly say that it is always professional, entertaining, for those who may like Horror comedies, or even the more explicit fans of that Euro Grindhouse style and its over the top, yet visionary, exploitation's genre, a Classic of the 60's/70's.
It is funny 'cause, think that I started working as a child actor in Europe, just exactly when those flix were about to fade, but, i did certainly manage to be a part of a few very recognizable ones, before the end.
I don't know if we share the same taste in films,filmmaking, and/or writing: I respect Sorkin a great deal, for example, he's of course,so solid,never less than compelling,but my ultimate Goal, my call, my interior voice, the same one, you must hear, when instead of making millions as an attorney,as you stated, and, in a World of amoral principles, like the one we get to experience today, you chose to act!
I mean, I can only admire and respect, quote and feed even, from such a choice, and from your words, as well: especially when those blue days hit me, and at just about 40, i find myself lost almost, at times, in an industry I struggle to recognize or even enjoy for the most part! When everything (on those bleak sad days) feels grim and calculated, any audition could just get me almost uninspired, especially after suffering for the lack of emotions, or of any emotional narrative in their words or narration, all elements that for me, are a part of a much greater experience, which should also be assembled with a very personal, incisive, ground breaking ( that would be the top!) visuals! Yes, because for me, the construction of a movie (and i am not even thinking TV, however, like anyone else i have been pretty well impressed by some reinvigorating cable TV series,and, i must say with pride, i am in fact so glad to be working on one, just during these weeks, for HBO) and, besides, of course, a clever, personal, heartfelt concept, developed with analytical, but also always psychological layers of insightful, lite touches,one following another,the movie is not just on paper: it should be then happening on a set, with,at least, having the time to think, and explore, while on set! In fact, as you were saying, every single element,if possible, should be envisioned, tried, conditioned,and then let go.. adding some visionary and more profound camera's angles, and not just for virtuoso..no, but, in order to catch what it is real: there's always a different constantly available for those who can SEE IT, shifting point of view, that may change even completely the tone and the subtext's, it does happen if we give time to an always deeper and deeper visualization of space and light, objects and people, relationships and dynamic's: for me a director's eye should always be searching! We do, and, in the best conditions, these days, execute diligently a story board that's been approved by a Studio! Well, that, for me, it is not truly expressive or even creative enough anymore! And, not just as a Producer or as a Director, but, really, even as an actor! I feel often and even working at times in a little more ideal conditions, and budgets of those we'd experienced lol yes I still feel like "stalling".. like standing there hoping for more..somewhat of an undermined, overlooked, and misunderstood artist, who can only -sadly-give 40,maybe 60% of what i could instead give, maybe, with a truly different type of work and concentration, discipline and respect for the creative process! I find that lacking almost everywhere these days! I don't know about you, and i'd be very much interested in hearing your points and experience, but, for me, it is, and again, even in truly greater conditions, and with material of higher concept, it is disconcerting! I almost come to resent myself at the end of a day of shooting, with the result, that, after 34 years of professional work (I was in the Union already from 1980!) i end up going home with that slight sense of "castration" I am sure a painter would feel if he had to use- let's say- all colors not completely and vividly mixed. First off, and now, please don't get me wrong, i do not mean to pontificate or judge, but i assist more, and, more often, at sets where, that sometime feral, but, yet absolutely necessary true discipline and strict&severe respect- we were trained in the past with- in order not to get fired from a shoot, after a day or 2 of work,it is completely absent from even the best shoots! Only older actors can truly understand what i mean here, and i swear i am not a true vampire, but, really, If i were to think, at, let's say again, one of my best professional experiences, even as a small player, in the early 1980's, I could not imagine any of those directors, any line producers, accepting, or even, barely tolerating what today is an almost pornographic display of cell phones, and, other distracting web related products, that even if silent, just should not belong in the moment! Then if we add even all this constant talking, joking ..to be friendly and amicable with everyone, which is a great personal disposition, but, back then, we were amicable in the dressing room, then we had to be looking at the set, like at one of the most prestigious job's sites ever, like at a perception of a Temple or Sanctuary, of sort! Both cast and crew would talk only upon request or if necessary, but, at the end of the day, everyone would feel a lot more respected,and involved, not instead like we do today.. missing a beat, in a sea of small talk, little jokes, cellulars, whispering the Red Carpets projects for the evening! Maybe-for me at least- it is also that detrimental culture linked to this new World of Celebrities, of this new (!!!) profession," being a Celebrity",that is,but for what really, we will never know, because nothing really lies beneath the surface, it has been one of the most obscure and sad decline of our culture. That being said, and, now, not wanting to extend this, obviously to anyone (i have been told that on set with people i do admire today, like, PT Anderson's or Steve McQueen's -the younger black director,i'm referring to, of course- or of others, like Winding Refn -Drive-,or Over Owerman, Von Trier, Almodovar, Haneke,etc. it is still kept under control, because of the natural fervor and passion! )so my real dream and what keeps me connected and concentrated, what keeps me on going with the determination you well know, it is just all about finding new meanings and ideals: and, i don't mean just for acting or directing,but for creating, expressing.. i don't know it is a paradox almost, but, perhaps, i would love to get back in a way, where, as a teenager,because of pure luck and coincidences,i had started mainly with (besides the cult films, i was in a few very ambitious Art Films, one of them, directed by the great master Federico Fellini, that went on even to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign language film, back in the days..oh my, time is like a fire in the sky, it means everything, but, at the same time, it just does not mean anything at all, but, you are still very young to worry about such dynamics) and i am really motivating myself in this existential search for the real creation and achievement of the Arts, and of their potent message, their unique strength, their sole beauty,and, ability to talk to people, whispering to some, but haunting others, and influencing a new culture's re birth, a state of grace in life, politics, the environment, and some hope for the future as well, that is all what it still makes it worth, u r right on!
Will i be getting there one day? Who knows?
I have been trying desperately for over 30 years, and, quite a mole of work later, again, i keep on 'shifting like the breeze'.. and we actors, artists, that's how we are, it's our path..our nature: our lives have no destinations.. maybe just a wonderfully exquisite,and, unforgettable troubling journey.
It is obvious we've signed in, and, i feel honestly a lot less lonely, after reading your clever post!
Thank you!
Best Wishes, Domiziano Arcangeli.

[Gabriel Voss]

How To - Couldn't agree more with your characterization of acting. I was trying to focus more on why I want to be an actor rather than what I think acting is (which is ephemeral at best). Thanks for commenting!

[Gabriel Voss]

Domi - Thanks for the novella. I think your comment was longer than my post! :) The great thing about what you're doing is that you are actually making movies. Making movies is incredibly, incredibly difficult and people who've never been involved in the producing process don't appreciate the Herculean effort it takes. Rather than just talking about making films, you are actually out there making them. Even if they don't turn out as you envisioned them, you learn on each film and get better and better at it. Keep it up and keep your chin up. Rome was not built in a day.

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