More Strengths

Okay. I'm kind of hooked on this exercise. So completely unprompted I'm going to add to yesterday's list (and because I like lists). Today's comprises more of a core for me as an artist whether I'm directing or writing. Not discounting yesterday's list, this is an attempt to go for more depth and specificity.

1. I'm not afraid to have those awkward conversations. Well, not entirely true. It's scary. But I will have them no matter how terrified because I want the work to be the best it can be without any unnecessary drag. So, yes, when I'm directing I'll have the discussion with the producer and explain why I won't cut a fellow playwright's play and I'll explain the scene and try not to sound patronizing and self-righteous. I'll explain simply and passionately and I'll bring the scene to life for him/her. Because I'm also good at pitching which is really about telling a story anyway. I'll fire the actor for whatever deal-breaking infringement they've made on the rehearsal process. I'll tell the freaky, sad actor that he/she can't break things against the wall and then smear his/her blood around (safety issues, you know) and that there might be more productive ways of dealing with one's pain. When I'm writing, I'll have the fight and the hours of silence when I tell one of my best friends in the world that the script she's commissioned me to write won't be including the serial killer scenario that she's counting on because that's not what the group is creating in the room through their improvisation. The group has decided what the play will be and she hired me to write that and in spite of whatever fear she's experiencing - these actors are creating amazing things. I'll take whatever help I can get from the director and the actor/writer in the last hour when I've written myself into a corner, I'm terrified, and we open in a week. I guess the corollary of having the awkward conversation is that I can swallow my pride.
   
2. This kind of goes along with number 1. I'm not that attached to being liked.
   
3. I have great instincts. (My weakness is that I occasionally ignore them and always end up regretting it).
4. I have an overwhelming sense of musicality. Some call it ADD, I call it reality. I experience the world as music. Which is why I'll put up with a lot of noise from my kids that would make most parents cringe. I'm not sure ultimately how this will work out for them.
   
5. I'm good at creating arresting visual images.