Jackson went to a reading in 1980 and spotted James Earl Jones. Jackson presumes that Jones is the lead, because he was THE preeminent black actor of the day. "No, I'm here for an interview, just like you." That knowledge reoriented Jackson's view of the industry, "oh, @#$% this is what I've got to look forward to?" Keep growing and fighting for the parts you want. Dissatisfied with your role? Work harder.
"Your best moments can be lost in the editing room."
He discusses how he played a scene in A Time to Kill and everyone on the set cried, overcome by how he performed. The scene never made the movie. Your contribution may not survive the editing room. That doesn't diminish you. It's part of the process. Jackson describes feeling ruined...because he still had an "Oscar bait" mentality (he no longer does).
In the coaching profession, we suffer similar emotions. Sometimes our best work helps a player, team, or family during practice or a season with a forgettable record. Process and results aren't always tightly linked. Move on.
"Every time you're in front of somebody, you're being judged."
Jackson said it another way, "there are no small parts only small actors." Management leader Tom Peters echoes, "It's always showtime." And Aristotle remarked, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
During practice, coaches study your execution and decisions, including attitude and effort. But attitude and effort are choices. Bring your best self to the classroom, the weight room, and the court. Compete. Coaches are like Santa Claus, we see and know who's been naughty or nice.
Cultivate great habits, winning routines. Great routines include study, writing, reading, exercise, healthy nutrition, adequate sleep, time management, and mindfulness. If we're not up to the preparation, then we can't complain about the results.
Jackson says, "never accept the fact that something is yours." The role you have, your position, your minutes, your paycheck are up for grabs. "It's a tough business."
Screenshot from MasterClass, Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting
Lagniappe: Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) saved up and bought up a little blue bicycle when he was seven years old. In his tough neighborhood, somebody stole it within a week. Later, as Ali, when he walked into the ring, he said to himself, "that guy stole my bicycle." Find your muse. Whatever it takes.
Lagniappe 2: "If it takes forever, then I'll walk forever." - Jackson as Jules in Pulp Fiction
We are all in the discovery business.
Lagniappe 3: NCAA Tournament "Four Factors" via Radius Athletics. Shoot better.
Lagniappe 4: Change the angle and relocate the defense to feed the post.Up-to-date #NCAAFourFactors data from the #NCAAW Tournament. pic.twitter.com/1Q1SWtHAvc— Radius Athletics (@RadiusAthletics) March 31, 2019
Lagniappe 5. "Suffering is good for art." David Lynch says that Van Gogh was cold and hungry, not a commercial success. That's a romantic notion...for everybody but Van Gogh. "Negativity kills creativity."