MEET MY NEW GIRLFRIEND!

Okay....I don't have a new girlfriend. That would be gross. But I do have a bit of a crush on a lady. Wanna know about it? Read below...
By Geoffrey Kidwell (actor)

There are two very important rules to being a great actor.

1. When given the opportunity, sleep your way to the top. As a former professor of mine once said to me, "Remember, Geoffrey, they're hard when they're soft, but they're soft when they're hard." (Sorry about that one, mom.)
2. Never be afraid to look like a fool.

Rule number 1 is pretty self-explanatory, so I think we'll avoid any real discussion. If you have questions, just email me.

It's rule number 2 that I'd like to unpack.

I suppose I could write some long, involved dissertation about the importance of following one's artistic instincts without fear of failing or looking silly, but that would be super boring to read. (It would also be super boring to write and, let's face it, I'm pretty much always looking out for number 1 - and that ain't you. Sorry 'bout it.)

Instead, I'd like to introduce you to an artist/writer/crafter/actress who demonstrates perfectly the power in following one's creative instincts with no fear of the consequences.

Her name is Amy Sedaris and she's completely brilliant.

But don't take my word for it.

Watch these clips and see just how willing and able she is to follow her impulses without fear of looking like a complete fool.

Here she is as Jeri Blank, a 40 year old alcoholic prostitute high school student.

 

I mean...come on!! She looks ridiculous. She's saying disgusting things. BUT...she's committed and that's why it's so funny. 

Here she is improvising for a movie called, Full Grown Men.

 

What's so amazing about this, as far as I'm concerned, is how quickly she jumps from one creative impulse to the next. And because she avoids censoring or critiquing herself, she is able to come up with tons of hysterical one-liners. It's truly brilliant.

But perhaps my favorite Amy Sedaris moments come from her interviews with David Letterman.

 

Isn't she just brilliant? So funny and so willing and able to just go for it.

I could (and have) watch clips of her for hours.

So what's the moral of the story here, kids?

Fuck if I know.

Kidding...

The lesson we've all got to learn, as creative types, is to save the criticism and censorship for the critics and the censors.

Got it?

Good.

 

AND NOW...THE WEEK IN WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!

I know it's a few days late, but God bless America!!!

 

GEOFFREY KIDWELL Geoffrey is an actor/manny in NYC. He spends his days just trying to figure it out.
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