James Lipton is the esteemed host of Inside the Actors Studio on the Bravo network. He also has substantial credits as an actor, dancer, choreographer, television producer, pilot, and a few other delightfully lurid career stops along the way as he tells in his wonderful book, "Inside Inside," published by Dutton.

He knows what he's talking about and every sentence is carefully thought through. Here is a short interview with Mr. Lipton about careers in Hollywood.

Lipton shares Paul Newman's observation that actor wannabes who think they have talent and merely hope to be discovered are deluding themselves. Lipton adds that although talent is necessary, training is essential.

I totally agree, and to his elements of talent and training, I would add two more: learning and mastery. Learning a profession and mastering the skills and techniques required by that profession are more important to your audiences than the teaching or training you receive. Your education and training are extremely important, but you own the level of learning and technical mastery that you take away from your education and training.

At any professional performance, your audience is not thinking about your education or training. If they are, you aren't doing it right. Audience members don't care what kind of education you received; they only care how well you learned what you need to know, and whether you can do what needs to be done at the moment of that performance.

For those who want to get lucky and be discovered, Lipton's and Newman's advice is not unique. Louis Pasteur observed that "Chance favors only the prepared mind." And Oprah Winfrey said it more directly: "Luck is being prepared for opportunity. If you ain't prepared, you ain't lucky." And Robert Ringer makes it a little more useful:" A positive mental attitude is more a result of being prepared, understanding the realities of what it takes to succeed, and by being good at the necessary techniques."

Mr. Lipton's best advice: Either quit the business or get ready. The Performing Mind seminar will help you get ready.

See Also: Five Stages of Performing, and The Performing Mind™ Seminar Description

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