Today I was reminded of an acting class I was in about 20 years ago. During an improv set in an art gallery, a fellow actor pronounced Manet as "Man-eht." He said (and truly believed), "In America you pronounce French names differently." I not only pointed out the correct pronunciation, I made a joke at my peer's expense that maybe we should call the American playwright "Daveed Mam-ay" if we're in France or Canada.
I wonder, if my fellow acting student became a successful screenwriter and recorded that moment in his life, who would play me and how would I look to observers? Would I be the stereotypical asshole who bullies others to support their own ego needs? After all, it's his movie; I'd just be the "Eddie Haskel" supporting role.
But before you judge me too harshly for my actions of that day I ask you to consider the question: if they were to make a movie of any moment in time today, how would you be portrayed?
Really, take a moment to think about it. Think of stereotypes you've observed in films: naive love interests, superficial types who dwell on money, sex or prestige, dumb types, evildoers, gossips, supporting characters, resisters, and, as in my case, judgmental bullies.
If you were to be judged for the rest of time according to how you showed up in this moment, would you be okay with that portrayal?
Remember, even though we know that all people are multi-dimensional beings, with elements of good and bad, smart and dumb, in the movies we only have time for a few fully "fleshed out" characters. The rest get written in short, bold strokes and we only see what part they play in someone else's story in one moment or few.
So my challenge for myself, and anyone who'll "play along" with me, is to be aware, in every aspect, every moment of the next few days what role I'm playing and how it might be remembered.
Would I like the way I wound up portrayed in the movie of this moment and, if not, how can I turn it around into the character who makes an important difference in the "lead role's" life? After all, I've only got a few lines in the story of their life and I need to make them count.
Any thoughts? Comments? I promise not to be a jerk when I reply -- just in case you write a play about it.