The Importance of Preparation (OR The Time I Foolishly Tried To Write A Baseball Metaphor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzq5hw5KSXU

Lately I've been coming to the conclusion that the act of performance should be effortless. That it's more a process of letting go and giving in, than pushing your creative vision out into the world. By putting this philosophy into practice, my work has improved significantly. I'm more connected to my scene partners, I'm more emotionally facile, I'm more playful, and I'm more relaxed. However, there is a danger in this.

Assuming that "whatever I do in performance is enough" has lulled me into a sense of complacency in preparation. Where I was once freaking out about learning lines, finding beats and objectives, and otherwise preparing, I now find myself sitting on the couch eating cereal whilst laughing at The Daily Show. So far this hasn't been a significant issue, but I foresee a time when it will be.

It's not difficult to trust in my work the only people who will see it are classmates. But, what happens when you raise the stakes?

Take your average Joe off the street who plays softball on Tuesdays. Ask him to throw a ball from the pitcher's mound to home plate in practice: no problem. Ask him to make the same throw during a game, he'll probably do fine. Now ask him to throw the opening pitch at a major league baseball game with thousands watching: he will inevitably choke; the ball will bounce in the dirt and maybe make it to home plate. Now ask a major league baseball player to make the same throw: he'll do it, it'll be precise, it'll be fast, and to everyone watching it will look effortless.

What's the difference in the amateur and the professional? Preparation and a history of past success.

Effortlessness doesn't come about through lack of effort. It's quite the opposite in fact. Only through regular rigorous preparation do you have reason to trust in your craft in high-pressure situations. In the case of the major league pitcher, it took many years and countless throws to achieve the distance, speed, accuracy, and consistency necessary to make a throw to home plate look effortless.

All of this is to say: Prepare for every part as if your career depended on it. Treat every performance opportunity seriously, no matter the size or budget. Without preparation you'll never develop a craft steady enough to lean on when it really matters. Only through a history of past success will you have the faith you need to let go and play when [insert favorite professional actor/actress] is standing in front of you and the cameras are rolling.