As a theater actress, I find that the dynamic is in reality quite similar: un-self-consciousness works best. My own appraisal of my performance can never enter into the picture because this would amount to myself looking upon myself: acting not only is not the occasion for such self-consciousness, on the stage this attitude proves deadly.

Interestingly enough, what I am actually feeling is not relevant in relation to the quality of my performance. That is to say, it is not necessary to feel the part in order to play the part.

…Another school of acting will have the actor becoming the persona represented in order to insure a convincing performance but one can argue that this technique invites psychosis.

In my experience, acting is representative and not transformative. It is true though, that from playing each persona one grows more like the character played because the character is in reality like…me…and…you.

What did Garbo and Kidman feel when they felt nothing? They felt like some part of themselves.

To make use of Berger’s distinction between naked and nude in rapport with the work of an actor therefore, I would say that the important thing in acting is to be naked (you) so that the audience can see you nude (the character.)