Knowing What to Fear is Your Best Skill: Why Actors Should Be Like Harry Potter
Let’s face it. We are all scared of something. More than anything else, fear motivates almost every choice we make in the course of the day.
That seems like an extreme. That seems like there is no way that could possibly be true. BUT let’s look at getting up in the morning:
You set your alarm the night before because you don’t want to oversleep and be late to work. (You do this because if you oversleep and are late to work, you run the risk of being fired from your job. The fear of losing your job or that source of income which allows you to survive, motivates you to set the alarm.)
You get up - on time - and get ready for the day. You shower, do your hair, and put on clothes. You do your best to look good. (You do this because you want people to think you look good or maybe even attractive. Your fear of being seen as unattractive and as a result judged for how you look, motivates you to put in the effort to look your best.)
You grab a cup of coffee. (You do this because you know that if you don’t, you will be tired, and you won’t get as much done. Your fear of a lack of productivity at work or the concern that you might fall asleep and in return not getting your work done causing your boss to get upset with you and potentially impact your employment, motivates you to get the cup of coffee.)
You grab a piece of fruit or something for breakfast. (You do this because you know you have a crazy workload today and you might not be able to get lunch. Your fear of being hungry all day motivates you to grab this small little bit of breakfast.)
The list could go on and on.
Wanting something is a powerful motivator, but the fear of not getting it is even more powerful.
Let’s use Harry Potter.
I know, I’m a Millennial Aged Acting Coach - but hear me out.
Harry wants to defeat Voldemort - sorry, He Who Shall Not Be Named.
Voldemort - sorry, He Who Shall Not Be Named - wants to defeat Harry.
Harry knows that if he defeats Voldemort - sorry, He Who Shall… okay I get it. The bit is getting old.
Harry knows that if he defeats Voldemort, he will be able to save the Wizarding World from the sure destruction Voldemort will bring upon the world.
Voldemort knows that if he defeats Harry, he will overcome the prophecy and live forever - making him the most powerful wizard of all time.
Both of them know that in order to do this, one of them must die.
The fear of death is a huge motivator for both of these men. Yet, what each of them is really scared of is why (spoiler alert) Harry succeeds.
Harry is not scared of his own death. Harry is scared of the death of his friends, his newfound family, the wizard community that he has grown to love.
Voldemort is scared of dying. His death means he’s not the most powerful wizard.
Both men are scared. But Harry has the advantage.
Because he knows what he’s truly scared of, he knows that the action he can choose is his own death because he will get what he truly wants if he chooses that action. More importantly, he knows that his sacrifice, protects what he really cares about. His choice is authentic and honest – even if it is the most dangerous.
Voldemort chooses what he thinks is the right choice because of his fear. His fear causes him to choose to protect himself by killing Harry.
It’s weird to think of The Dark Lord having fear, isn’t it? His fear is always death, yes. But it’s the fear of dying without power. That fear comes from his powerless childhood and carried well into his reign of terror. If he doesn’t defeat Harry, he dies leaving Harry the most powerful wizard. His only choice is to kill Harry.
For Harry, the loss of his community was scarier than his own death. He chooses the authentic action in that moment. He could choose to fight Voldemort and run the risk of losing OR he could willingly accept death, knowing that will weaken the Dark Lord enough to be killed in another way.
Fear may not make the choice easy. But it more often than not, it makes the strongest choice more obvious.
Just like how a mother can gain superhuman strength to lift a car to save a child, fear can take us to extraordinary places for our characters. The mother’s fear of her child’s pain or death is so powerful she does actions she wouldn’t impulsively do any other time. Fear is powerful.
What is your character truly scared of? What will they do to avoid that thing at all costs? How will you help them avoid this fear? Try reassessing your actions in your pieces with this new focus and see what new things you can discover. What doors have you kept locked because of fear?
You’re Awesome. Be Awesome. I’ll See You Soon.
Best Wishes,
-Nate
