I never set out to be an actor I wanted to be either a Lawyer or a Vet at school.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I never set out to be an actor I wanted to be either a Lawyer or a Vet at school. I took biology and chemistry amongst other subjects like English- which I excelled at because I love words and communication- that should have been my clue! After spending a day with a Barrister I then knew that this was not about the drama of the courtroom as I’d wistfully thought, but more about paperwork-these guys have trolleys to carry their bundles of papers to court!
After working with litigators in my coaching role in body language, there is a huge correlation between actors and lawyers, but the drama we see is ten per cent and for the screen and stage.
As for a vet, they have to be quite disassociated from the animal to treat it, I love animals too much to be capable of doing that!
2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
I studied ballet from age 5 to 16 years- very formative years for any person. It taught me self discipline and admiration for what the human body is capable of. However, I didn’t live for ballet and you have to be passionate about art to succeed. I realised that I loved to connect with people using both voice and body, so that’s acting and comedy for me, although comedy came to me later in life- women were not encouraged to be funny back then!
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
A strong intention is essential. Do you want fame and fortune? Then forget it...acting is about empathy and the ancient need of us all to tell stories- we began by telling tales around a campfire back in “cave-man” days when there was no TV/ internet. It’s an old, but powerful drive we have to connect with fellow man/ woman.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
A lawyer probably, they earn more!
5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
You will know if you have that inner drive and passion. If so take the good drama school route or if that’s not financially or practically feasible then the Internet is the star-making platform. I never had this back in the day, more is the pity. Use it! Make those self-tapes on your smartphones, write material and get like-minded people involved in helping you.
The collaboration is part of the journey and more importantly, part of the fun of why we do it. If you ever find it’s not fun, then stop. After all, this is playing, like when we were children, there must be enjoyment to it otherwise you are doing it for some ego reason and it will consume you. Also, it is called “show business” for a reason, get an agent or become business savvy. Too many gifted artists leave the biz side to fate, you can’t create if you’re stressed about where the next meal is coming from.
6. What is your mantra of success?
Can I leave someone, after a performance, with a deeper understanding of themselves or fellow man than before? If so, then that is a powerful gift to give and own.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Wuthering Heights is one of my faves, the drama of the windswept moors and a lovestruck couple who are fearless but doomed, its powerful emotive stuff particularly to actors who all start wanting to play the big emotions. MacBeth also- for the same reasons.
I played in a tour of this extraordinary play for 9 months, its fab and yes, it does have a few spooky connections as it contains parts of the black mass, although I think that the associated connection is because back in Shakespeare’s time, actor troops put this play on when they were in financial difficultly, as they knew it would draw an audience... but then all their competition would know they were in financial straits- go figure-
In brief, I have had the good fortune to be involved in classic theatre productions, TV in the UK that has won at The Soap Awards and films that have won awards internationally. Many fun commercials too, along with my Edinburgh festival one-woman shows and MC / stand up -hopefully, the journey will continue!
- Website: Andrea Gordon
- Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani
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