'I would also like to thank Michael Cane ..."

A film teacher once recommended the book ' Acting in Film' by Michael Cane - giving the endorsement that this is the 'best book out there' for anyone intersted in becoming a better film actor. While he continued talking about the book I sat there trying to picture Michael Cane's face.

Then it hit me. He is the guy who played Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol! (Fact: Best Christmas movie ever.)

After class, I purchased the book and read it from cover to cover.  My teacher was right, this book provides a film actor with great words of wisdom and film acting advice (plus there is a DVD version!).  I also realized that my point of reference for Michael Cane probably shouldn't be the Muppet's.

The book covers topics such as 'Characters', 'The Take - Close-ups and Continuity' and 'Voice, Sound, Lighting Movement'. But as much as these helped me in preparation for class, auditions and for the one day where I am actually cast in a role, there was a chapter that felt strangely out of place.

Now keep in mind, this book is usually recommended to actors through a class, teacher, friend - actors who are just starting out or trying to become better at what they do - someone like me. So picture if you will that you are this person.  You have now come to the last chapter.  Your mind is filled with thoughts like: 'Wow - so glad I'm learning this now so I can nail that audition' or 'This is great direction for my upcoming scene' and 'No wonder Michael Cane rocked the Muppet's!'.  (Ok, so the last one was probably just me. But you get the point.)  And then you turn the page for the last chapter, and see the title called: 



'On Being a Star'


I'll pause for the irony of that to sink in.

Before even reading this part of the book I quickly made two assumptions. First, Michael Cane feels that only 'star type' actors are reading his book thus the necessity for this section. Or, he feels that his words of wisdom can make ANYONE a star, so you must prepare now on how best to handle your stardom.

I can't accurately articulate my reactions while reading this, so below I have listed the tidbits (excerpts from the book) that I plan on keeping with me -  through my obvious rise to fame: 

• 'Temperament usually comes from insecurity.  Real stars aren't insecure.'
• 'Fan mail is important, too (and you can usually write off the expenses). I don't personally answer every letter because that would be impossible. But I do sign ever photograph - I don't have a secretary who fakes my signature.' 
• '...when you are the leading man, you're always the one who gets sent to get the leading lady out of the dressing room if she won't come...She's probably still in there because her hair's not right, or she's not too keen on the director.  Very few leading ladies have to get the leading man out of the dressing room.'
• 'Hollywood is divided up socially into the A Team, the B Team, the C Team, and the Fun Team...Those people (the A Team)  don't mix with the B Team or the C Team for the simple reason that they don't want to be asked for jobs. But they do mix with the Fun Team.  I'm in the Fun Team.'