In this way, anger is like modern technology: a good servant, but a poor master. And once this is achieved, anger becomes not something you’re reacting to, but a tool at your disposal. The attention then turns to learn how to harness it. This is the beauty of the “intentional” anger the likes utilized by Gandolfini and Jordan: You know the true source of the anger. But whatever the true answer is, understanding the source can help guide your future behavior. Was it a comment that your boss made? Was it an intrusive, anger-inspiring thought about something totally unrelated that just happened to pop into your head? The possibilities are plentiful. But why? They liked your ideas, and they agreed to use your proposal. For example, imagine coming out of a meeting with colleagues and feeling a distinct sense of anger. In everyday life, this introspective element is key. And just like all other emotions, anger provides an important signal, which, if understood can help you adjust your behavior or way of thinking. We’re often awful at understanding the reasons why we feel a certain way. What people do with these feelings and physiology, differs from person to person. Anger is a feeling which naturally motivates thoughts and actions, but these are distinct elements and are not inevitable. This distinction is key: Not all feelings of anger are necessarily accompanied by specific thoughts or result in specific actions. the drive to act out against the perceived source). And it can be understood from three perspectives: there’s the physiological response (e.g., increased heart rate and breathing), the stereotyped thoughts (e.g., feeling wronged, plotting a response), and the associated behaviors (e.g. But before we can learn to harness it, we have to answer a more rudimental question: What is anger?Īnger, like all emotions, is an inner subjective experience. From an opponent’s trash talk, a reporter’s dismissal, or a rival coach refusing to shake his hand in a restaurant, Michael found ample opportunity to “take it personally.” And like the rock in James Gandolfini’s shoe, he channeled this anger into his game.įrom acting to sports to art, anger can be an asset. Michael Jordan was a master at not only harnessing it but finding it. Athletes, for example, are some of the best at harnessing the motivating power of anger. Gandolfini isn’t alone, and the usefulness of anger extends far and beyond the world of acting. One could argue that there have been better actors at various things, but you’ll be hard-pressed to see anyone do anger better than Gandolfini. He remarked, “It’s silly, but it works.”Īnd to a devastating effect. And by the time the shoot came, he would unleash all of that accumulated into the scene, and onto his fellow actors. He would purposely walk around, for the entire day, with a rock in his shoe. And he had a very specific technique: When he knew he had a scene coming up with an angry outburst (and there were many), he slowly built up his anger throughout the day. Gandolfini was once asked, “how do you get yourself to act so angry?” His response was telling: He made himself angry. And Gandolfini-a former bouncer in his own right-crafted this to perfection. But perhaps his defining characteristic was his anger. Tony is revealed to be a dark, craven, but ultimately complex figure. And along the way, contending with deep questions of parenthood, morality, and human nature. Gandolfini took audiences into Tony’s gangster underworld and the tribulations of New Jersey mob life. Gandolfini played the mob boss Tony Soprano, a legendary acting performance that earned him widespread praise, including three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Golden Globe Award. Catching his glare was like looking into the headlights of a Mack truck coming straight towards you. Such was the experience of being an actor alongside the late great James Gandolfini on the set of The Sopranos. And when it was turned towards you, you simply couldn’t look away. When his face turned to rage, it was pure and unmistakable. He was only 6 foot 1, but his physical presence filled every room.
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