Acting is Acting. Period.

Around 1985 or so, the first classes for “On Camera Acting,” or as I like to call it, “The Appeal to the Lazy Actor,” or more factually, “The Greatest Ripoff/Lie Ever Perpetrated On Actors,” came into being.

Let me state this unequivocally: There is no difference in acting for theatre, film ,or tv; your job as an actor is exactly the same – creating truth under imaginary circumstances.

For those of you reaching for your keyboards to go flipping crazy, I'm not saying there're no differences in technical aspects, the most obvious being able to re-take scenes that aren't perfect for whatever reason in film and televison, and having much longer time to develop a performance through rehearsals in theatre. And yes, I think in some ways film and television is much harder than theatre because you're doing scenes out of order, and sometimes your physical space is constrained.

But that's not the way it's sold to actors. The perception is that “on camera acting” easier, and you don't have to get into all that “messy” emotion and physicality and of course, nothing could be further from the truth. The number 1 problem actors who think that “film and tv” acting is different have, is accessing their emotional and physical instruments, and they don't understand how much it limits them in being considered for the good roles. If all you want to do are commericials be my guest. But if you want a career worth doing, learn how to use your entire instrument. You have to have the goods.

The first “On Camera” class I took was actually taught by a real director with an actual set; camera, lights, the whole deal – a far cry from the iPhone on a stand with two chairs, and actors with scripts in their hands that passes for those classes today. And what was amazing was that he kept asking me to go farther. My perception was “this is on camera; I have to be more subdued and nuanced.” But that's not what worked. I finally realized he wanted me to do what I'd been trained to do; vocally, physically, and emotionally – Tell the truth.

For those of you still Hellbent on insisting that they're different I refer you to Denzel Washington. Go talk to the “Equalizer.” And if that still doesn't convince you, watch “Yellowstone” Season II, episode 7.

Consider mic dropped.