Rob Brownstein is an American actor, teacher and coach. He has spent decades working in theatre, television and film. His path into acting started by accident. In 1977, when New York City went bankrupt, his jazz major disappeared over one summer. With nowhere else to go, he walked into a drama-building audition. He didn’t get a part, but he knew straight away that this was what he wanted to do.

In this conversation, Rob and Radim talk about why great acting is never about perfection, and how the craft is like jazz: improvisation, new keys and new modes. Rob explains why he sees acting as exploring “inner space”. He tells the story of nearly walking out of an audition room full of faces he recognised, and how staying turned out to be a turning point. He also explains why he now believes talent comes down to openness rather than ability. Finally, he talks about the quiet power of accepting your place in your career, and how that acceptance let him start reaching higher.

Takeaways

• Perfection doesn’t exist. The perfect creative moment is imperfect by nature.
• Courage doesn’t have to last forever. Twenty seconds is often enough to get you over the hump.
• Let go of expectations. After the first nervous days on a challenging project, the work starts when you let the moments find you.
• Talent is openness. Many people could act, but not everyone is willing to feel and to drop the facades they wear.
• Knowing a little can make you more afraid. Experience brings comparison, so fear has to be managed rather than avoided.
• The best people are generous. Real professionals meet you halfway, and they’re fans of other people’s work.
• Celebrate where you are. Accepting your current place is what lets you look higher.
• Great stories need the whole cast. Supporting players raise the level and keep the leads from getting complacent.
• Stay a student. Classes, readings, observing people and new challenges keep the craft alive.
• Tenacity and love for the work carry a long career, especially when success doesn’t come quickly.

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

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