Meet Joe Carson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Carson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe , so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

I recently noticed my propensity to set ridiculous standards on new projects, like a composer meticulously refining his latest symphony. I’d get so excited about an idea and start writing, but my interest would slowly dwindle when it wasn’t perfect, leaving me with a half-baked concept. I realized this pressure was a significant source of my writer’s block, fueling a greater creative anxiety that made it difficult to get anything done. Instead of obsessing over the result, I’ve begrudgingly learned to embrace the process, which is inherently messy because it has to be. As simple as it sounds, I now try to create without judgment. I don’t care how nonsensical the new material is or how it may not fit the bigger picture; it’s about momentum. Eventually, that spark will return; when it does, you’re far better off staying in motion. Even staggered motion is better than stagnation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an actor, but since graduating college, I’ve accepted my second love for filmmaking. This passion motivated my relocation from New York to Los Angeles and sustained my productivity through a turbulent period in the film industry. I’ve been acting since I was 12, when I enrolled at a fine arts school in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. From there, I trained at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and recently studied at the Baron Brown Studio in Santa Monica. The most unique thing about acting, hands down, is its ability to mirror society directly and engagingly. Not to put down the other arts, but acting is the only one where we see life as it is, boldly and bravely. Authentic acting’s ability to cut to the core of one’s soul is why we’ve always performed, going back to cavemen. Human beings desire to see our complex little lives represented wholly and truthfully. When I’m in character, it feels like harnessing electricity, running with the bulls, and even walking on the Moon.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Being open-minded to new methods of training has helped me tremendously. There’s been an obsession with method acting since the 1940s, and for good reason: it has given us the greats from Marlon Brando to Daniel Day-Lewis. However, choosing a method and adhering to it until death is outdated. Acting and the film industry have evolved exponentially in recent decades; therefore, actor training should change. I’ve learned to try new methods, take what works, and leave the rest. If a particular method or coach isn’t working for you, it doesn’t mean you’re not talented; it just didn’t work for you. Conversely, you must advance to the next if you no longer feel challenged. We’re all building our methods and modifying them accordingly. It’s a never-ending, ever-changing process.

Furthermore, building the stamina to embrace the demands of our profession is vital for progress. Enduring long rehearsals or being on set all day demands a resilience you can’t buy; you must forge it. It’s not always fun or gratifying, but essential for growth. This also means learning how to rest and take care of yourself. I was surprised when my work improved because I stopped overscheduling myself and implemented routines for rest and recovery. Only when you take the time to reflect on the work you’ve accomplished thus far can you tackle what lies ahead. I didn’t want to admit it for the longest time, but structured rest has yielded tremendous results. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but you really can’t burn the candle at both ends; try trimming the wick instead.

Finally, exposure to art and, ultimately, the world has been my greatest asset thus far. You have to foster a sense of artistic curiosity that my professors hinted at but never explicitly stated in school. Half of my growth as an actor has come from consistently going to the movies or the theatre. Whether it’s watching an old film and researching the cast, seeing the latest Broadway sensation, or even watching reality TV, it all compounds in a way that shapes you artistically. It also extends further than acting. In college, I’d go to the park to people-watch, a common New York pastime, and find all these profound ways people were effortlessly existing. An old woman feeding the birds, a couple breaking up, and all the busy people flying to their next destination; their physicality, their cadence, each one a finely crafted narrative. Going deeper, being truly curious about the world, and choosing to engage with it has made me a better actor and person. I’m fortunate enough to have traveled a decent amount, and those experiences inevitably shaped me as an artist. However, I’ll never forget driving from New York to Los Angeles two years ago. I bought a car, packed up my apartment, and hit the road. I was not quite mentally or emotionally prepared for what was in store. Along my route, along the endless stretches of highways and horizons, I saw all the lovely things people commonly reference. I also interacted with my surroundings in a way I previously took for granted. Perhaps it was just boredom, but I fully engaged with people who led different lives than my own. We voted for different candidates, worshiped different gods, and watched different movies, but I noticed we all generally had the same fears and aspirations. For the first time, I connected with strangers in a way I hadn’t allowed myself to before. I was getting to know them and not some caricature my phone’s algorithm or the news showed me. I listened to their struggles, triumphs, and what they wanted in life. I saw unacceptable poverty and unimaginable wealth. It was this willingness to engage with the unknown in a nonjudgmental manner that shaped me more than any acting class ever did. I learned something about people and our shared existence, which profoundly affected me. I encourage you all to do the same.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I try to isolate the source of whatever is causing it and examine that. For example, I’d be in a play and stressed about learning my lines or an accent because I was busy with other commitments. I realized that was a time management problem. Finding time to dissect the issue and eliminate those distractions so I can focus on what I need to accomplish helps ease that feeling of being overwhelmed. If the problem is outside of acting, I usually schedule time to meditate and journal for further reflection. I also can’t stress exercise enough. I love going for long runs; it clears my mind better than anything, but if you’re a yoga-in-the-living-room type of person, more power to you. It’s just important to keep moving. At some point, you have to give your brain over to your body and allow it to process whatever information your mind can’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/joecarson
• Instagram: @_joecarson

Image Credits

David Finestein
https://www.instagram.com/davidfinestein/