Archives for January 2012

“The great thing about movies is that they translate thoughts into a series of picturizations, the net result of which is to make them more accessible and easier to understand. This is also what happens when we dream. Most of the picturizations we view in dream sequences do not have language attached.  Yet, when they do, the meaning is often doubly exaggerated. I once believed that silent films were the perfect vehicle to convey thought because of their universality but now I know that sound is not a detriment. In fact, it only adds to the vibrational wallop of any photoplay.” ~ R. Valentino Guglielmi

Rubies ~ “This gem was my personal favorite. After the diamond it is perhaps the second most important precious stone, well-known for its properties as well as its lore. In one of my films, I briefly held a number of them in my hands ~ faux though they were in that particular instance (The Young Rajah, Paramount, 1922.)

One of the rarest of gems, rubies are a reflection of passion. It is in this context that I speak of it ~ also of desire but not of any negative or exaggerated manifestations of either one. Rubies symbolize passion as well as the desire to love and be loved, that is all. Wearing a ruby is a reminder to maintain an open heart. In essence then, it has the effect of encouraging relationship.

In ancient times, the ruby was also seen as a conjuring stone. Not so surprising, given that passion is one of the tools we routinely use to help shape our realities. This gemstone amplifies the wishes of the wearer, encouraging their manifestation. Such wishes, however, must first be born out of love. There is no other way. Not only are secrets unlocked through the use of this stone, mountains may also be moved.

Pearls ~ Valued as gemstones even though they’re not, pearls are of the oyster born, their origin but a grain of sand. As they develop, they become crystallized, taking on a definite form. Products of consolidation and focus, pearls come in all colors, sizes and shapes, the round ones being the most highly prized.

We might think of a round pearl as a metaphor for the globe we know as Earth.  That, too, is crystallized thought, always in motion and ever in the process of becoming.   The pearl is a product of reflection, if you will, the result of an oyster gazing at its navel. As a jewel it does not glitter yet its translucence is legendary. There is a parallel between the growth of a child in the womb and the development of a pearl in an oyster. In both instances the feminine principle is being served. The pearl is an excellent example of the multi-layered nature of the Universe.” ~ R. Valentino Guglielmi

A topic from my next book, which is still in progress!

Question: why do certain aspects of our personalities tend to distinguish themselves to an even greater extent as we age, in some cases hardening or crystallizing?

“Some people like and/or need to make sure their quirks or shticks become ossified, are made brittle, so that they crumble in the sands of time and the individuals in question will end up bereft of those particular traits once an incarnation is complete. ‘Emphasizing’ is what hardening of the arteries is all about. That is a physical manifestation of what I am discussing here. Any overemphasis is due to a quest for change. One cannot rid oneself of something until one gets tired of the status quo. Some personal quirks are tiresome to others but most of all they tire our-selves. Crystallization, in particular, is a set-up for some kind of shattering event, death being the most likely candidate.

There are elders who go for the flow too, for integration rather than differentiation. Lovely when that occurs but we must have compassion for ‘old cranks’ also, those who must experience greater rigidity before they expire. Either pathway is viable. The latter group, however, is much more pleasant to be around. Which one are you, a generic question? Be conscious, always, about what you are doing and why. And, you don’t have to aggress others to show your wares. Yes, shticks, and tics, are assets, believe it or not!” ~ R. Valentino Guglielmi

“An actor without a part is no one, or so it has been said. It’s a good thing we always have some part to play. Actually, there’s never a time when we don’t!

What is the secret of a good actor then, especially if the medium is moving pictures? An actor’s true brilliance lies in his or her ability to be still while in motion. Those who can most successfully project the stillness of their characters within the context of movement are those who are the most gifted.

The converse is equally true. In Hollywood parlance, the isolated frames of a film are known as stills. When each still, in and of itself, conveys some inner facet of the character being depicted, it is proof of an inspired performance. Taken collectively and placed within a framework of motion, they come together to form each actor’s body of work. You have indeed gotten to the bottom of what I was all about on the screen and in my daily life. I was blessed, especially in front of the camera. I had the ability to inhabit my characters, that is to say, to imbue them with the essence of soul. That is why they seemed so real. Nevertheless, this was not an exclusive gift granted to Rudolph Valentino, not at all! Everyone can do what I used to do. We all inhabit our roles, whatever they may be. It is always preferable, however, to do so without taking ourselves too seriously. A light touch will bring you much you see.

My formula for playing any part in life is simply to feel it. Ask yourself what is really there? What essentials must your character express? Furthermore, be aware of the ‘realities’ that are to be projected on the rhetorical screen of life and how they might affect or be affected by your character.

We all are actors, yes we be, for Actors Guild members are we, always playing our respective parts. How is this so? We all have stories to tell and tell them we must ~ through the use of any and all available modalities, on screen or off. Truth be told though, we are never off-screen, even when we are supposedly alone.

‘Dancing through life’ was my strategy. However, if the idea of dancing is not to your liking, choose a different metaphor, your own carefully crafted ‘how to be.’ Then, let things flow. You’ll definitely put on a good show. There’s nothing very complicated here, dear readers.

In essence, adopt a frame of mind or an attitude towards life that works best for you.  Mine was the dance, as epitomized by the tango. But there are also any number of other readily available metaphorical constructs that can be equally as effective. Use my model, if you will, peruse those of your peers or choose one that you yourself devise. Remember, there is no one size fits all.

Which then shall be your preferred method? Which pitch to best effect your affect? Once these questions have been answered to your satisfaction, stick with it. Hang your hat on the stance you have chosen, subject, of course, to change.

As far as acting is concerned, some get paid, most do not! Structure your scenes. Light yourself well. Block your moves too, even if it’s hard to tell if you’re doing it right. Usually you are!

An actor is he or she who acts, i.e. WE. Actors literally take action and run with it. As actors, we function as catalysts and catalysts are, by their very nature, enthusiastically disposed to the task of bouncing thoughts around a set, literally our ‘field of play.’

Acting is an essential part of the art of being. In fact, they are inexorably entwined. The preferable way ‘to be’ in life is natural. Be who you truly are and you will indeed go far.

As actors we are eternally on set, cameras rolling, ever on our marks. It’s funny but we do always seem know our lines even if we never rehearsed them before. We also seem to be perpetual students, always striving to improve our skills.

Consider this: we are first and foremost actors, no matter what else we may choose to do.  To act, in fact, is to support the vital substratum of Universal Energy that nurtures us all, the ‘that which lies beneath’ of our existence. It is interesting to note also that life requires that we all become well-schooled in the fine art of expressing ourselves.

Personalities come and go bump in the night, or during the day, as the case may be. The point is that they often conflict. What is the constant in this observation?  That we lob our thoughts back and forth, again as though we were tossing a ball around on a playing field.  That’s what we’re here to do. It’s just part of the game of life, always in progress.  There is never a time-out either. Seems like it’s always our turn.

I play, you play, we play, they play – all parts and roles. Although these are literally just forms of the same verb, practically speaking they describe what we all do: act. And as we act, characters come to be, fleshed out, as they say. But in fact all characters already are. This you shall come to see more clearly as you evolve and grow into whoever it is that you are seeking to become.

Acting ~ I love it! Always have. As your consciousness joins forces with the spirit of acting, allow yourself to become part of that spirit. To do so is like eating a piece of the world’s most delicious pie. You, too, will love the experience. It’s called ‘being in the flow.’

You must first define your character. Only then can you decide how best to play your part. Next, just do it. But in order to do, as always, you must first BE.

This is the actor’s creed, simplified: BE, then do what comes naturally!” ~ R. Valentino Guglielmi