Take Your Space
Copyright 2006 Mike Pniewski
You’ve got a big meeting or a major presentation in front
of people who can make or break you. You’re feeling
prepared but still the nerves are rattling you. You walk
into the office, where you’ve never been before, greeted by
the receptionist whom you’ve never seen in your life, and
your heart is pounding out of your chest. But you have
just minutes before you must be on and at your best—-what
do you do!?
Sound familiar?? Great preparation of your craft is a must
in these types of situations. But in spite of that, the
new environment, filled with unfamiliar faces can kill the
security of brilliant prep work. How do you prevent that?
Take the upper hand, because in reality, your prep work is
not done. Once you have rehearsed and studied until you
can do it in 3 languages, you must now prepare the space in
which you must deliver the goods. Your new surroundings
must be made comfortable and that is up to you.
I just started a new project last week, a movie for TNT (A
Perfect Day, airing December 18th). On the first day, I
often know few if any of the folks I’ll be working with. I
did reconnect with a couple of familiar faces on the crew,
but not many. But even knowing some of the crew isn’t
enough because this is a new project in a new place with
lots of unknowns, so it requires a new comfort ritual.
Once I arrived, I had a matter of moments until I would be
expected to be at the top of my game. So, I continued to
prepare by introducing myself to as many folks as I could,
actors and crew, and acquaint myself with the space which
was to be my character’s office in the film. And soon, I
would do the same with the star of the show, not going to
drop names, but a very well-known actor. (OK, it was Rob
Lowe.)Â All of this was designed to raise my comfort level
in these new digs with lots of new people so I could be at
my best. And I’m happy to say that once again, this worked
very well. Making a new space a comfortable space so I can
fulfill the promise of my preparation has been a staple of
my work ethic for a long time.
The next time you’re faced with a similar situation, be
sure to prepare your space. Do it with sincerity and
warmth in a way that relaxes your nerves and empowers your
performance. Introduce yourself to folks you don’t know.
Familiarize yourself with the office, conference room or
meeting space in a way that raises your confidence. Get
there early so you aren’t rushed through this process and
you can be as thorough as your nerves may require. There
may be those rare times when the comforting will be done
for you, but never count on it. Commit to continuing your
preparation and comforting yourself.
Once the door opens or you’re introduced at the podium or
the director yells, “action”—you’re on. It’s time to put
up or go home! Take charge of these moments and keep the
fear of the unknown out of your way. Your best chance for
success comes when you’ve got both command of your material
and command of your space.
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Mike Pniewski has been a succesful actor in film &
televison for more than 20 years, having worked with some
of the biggest stars in the world. If you’d like more
information about Mike, his extraordinary programs and his
strategies for success, visit him at http://www.acttowin.com
