he’s there to keep it going

[flowplayer src=’http://www.bootrundle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charliechaplincitylights2.m4v’ splash=’http://www.bootrundle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/danglingprecarious23.jpg’]

“‘I had to climb a mountain. There were all kinds of obstacles in the way. I had now to jump over a ditch, now to get over a hedge, and finally to stand still because I had lost my breath.’

This was the dream of a stutterer.”

–from Joseph Campbell, Hero With a Thousand Faces

There is nothing more depressing than all those eager actors and actresses in the audience on Inside the Actor’s Studio. I mean, don’t you feel sorry for those people?
Johnny Depp sits up there with James Lipton, who has at least made something of himself by asking questions. Johnny responds humbly in his bizarre, pan-European accent. He reminisces about all his great work, and all the good times he’s had making all his famous movies.

That is so unfair.
How can he talk like that in front of all those struggling actors?
And he makes it sound like it’s no big deal.

No big deal?

But the smiling nobodies in the audience are feeling lucky to be there.
They are having a great time.

Yep.
These are the people who read the newspapers and magazines. These are the people that make the world go around.

They buy stuff when they feel bad.
Seminars and workshops. Gym classes, clothes, plane tickets, margarine. Movies.

Oof.

If they were just a little busier. If they were just off doing something they absolutely HAD to do.
Not everyone can be Johnny Depp.
We know that.

Still. So unfair.

I’m not saying it’s a tragedy. The people in the audience have plenty of cash, or plenty of ways to get some.
But they ain’t going to be working in Hollywood. Not as actors.

Tell them what to do. What can they do?
Wait tables, sell houses, teach. Teaching is great.
Teach the next generation of magazine readers and margarine eaters.

But today, with Johnny, they speak of craft.
So unfair.

film clip is from city lights by charlie chaplin
image is a painted toy, mexico, artist unknown