Habits and Allowing Freedom in Acting
As actors, we often impose limits on ourselves, whether we realize it or not. Brian Cutler highlights this in a lighthearted yet poignant lesson: “You’re putting a bit in your mouth and stopping yourself from going where your body really wants to go. So don’t stop yourself.” This idea of allowing freedom is a cornerstone of authentic acting.
Nervous habits, like Sydney’s unconscious lip-licking, can become distractions on screen. “With a fifty-foot head, you have a twelve-foot mouth, and if you have a twelve-foot mouth, you have a six-foot tongue,” Brian jokes. The takeaway? Awareness of your physicality is critical, especially when performing for the camera.
To illustrate his point, Brian draws an analogy to horseback riding. When riding correctly, you use your legs to guide the horse, not the reins, because pulling on a bit is uncomfortable and unnatural for the animal. The same principle applies to acting: let your body take control, not your brain. Overthinking can act like a “bit,” restricting natural impulses and creating stiffness.
Freedom in acting comes from trusting your body to lead and allowing habits to give way to intentionality. By releasing unnecessary tension and focusing on organic movement, actors can connect more deeply with their characters and create performances that resonate.
