Hollywood characters represent a template for us to emulate and affect change in ourselves through transformation and self-improvement. Sure, Hollywood movies are fantasy and perhaps just “A Paper Moon”, yet it’s scientifically proven that often the subconscious can’t tell the difference between fiction and non-fiction.
From personal experience – a current, on-going transformational personal experience – the best characters to emulate are those who play convincing roles against type. First, this proves that they’re better actors than you thought. Second, their performance is a profound and lasting transformation because they convince you that they are a different character altogether. In fact sometimes they’re so good that you don’t see the star, rather the new character they portray.
As the director of your life such a change is doable. The characters in your life – family, friends, and acquaintances – will interact with you in a different way from what you’re accustomed. Warning (spoiler alert): some characters will write themselves out of your script (your life) and for others you’ll have to do it for them. Even positive change is not always welcome.
My personal favorites of excellent character transformations on screen include Tom Cruise in Collateral (2004), Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and the remake of The Manchurian Candidate(2004,) Henry Fonda in Once Upon A Time in the West (1968), and George Clooney in The American (2010). These actors were superb in their respective roles because they never betrayed their new transformed roles through twinkling winks, flashy smiles or even signature looks.
Once again, you’re the director and actor in the game of life. You have the power to put things in motion. The against cast type Hollywood characters I listed were determined, confident, focused, and had a tough skin. Of course, contrary to the examples I presented, your change will be for the good - morally, ethically and legally - yet the tools for transformation are the same. A knife can kill as well as heal (surgery). Always choose the latter. The danger is taking such transformational methods too far as to be detrimental to yourself and others and ending up on the dark side – manipulative, greedy, and abusive.
Again as a director you can simply choose a component of a character for your transformation and self-improvement to overcome a specific fear such as public speaking. For example, to overcome this fear you may consider checking out Michael Douglas’ iconic performance as Gordon Gekko during his infamous “greed is good” speech at a shareholders meeting in the movie Wall Street (1987). Or you can use these tools for the purpose of slaying your inner demons and negative thoughts before they sabotage your dreams while maintaining your current persona.
I strongly recommend that in order to maintain this mindset, always have immediate access to these references such as keeping a movie or a scene on your computer or handheld device. Negative situations are nefarious and can ambush you when you least expect it. So have these readily available for an immediate psychological counter-attack. The transformation process is never smooth, frequently beginning in fits and starts. However you’ll eventually develop and customize the methods that work best for you.
Copyright Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC 2014. All rights reserved.
Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC is a NYC-based global advisory service and think tank with connections at the highest levels specializing in international investment, political and security risk assessments. International business is increasingly complex featuring a highly mobile professional class in all corners of the globe. We provide you the tools to successfully negotiate cross-culturally in your global business endeavors. Tell us about your challenges. We'll get you on the "Short List".
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