David Tennant Fights the Demon of Imposter Syndrome
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Fear is a constant motivator for David Tennant. So much so that he wrestles with it on stage while reciting lines that his brain is telling him are impossible to memorize. Hopefully Shakespeare doesn't mind a little improv.
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The next time I have imposter syndrome I’m reminding myself that if *David Tennant* has imposter syndrome it’s clearly nonsense and I’m probably fine.
Honestly, this. The man is brilliant in everything he does, so if he feels like this, it's got to be nonsense.
Your brain: it’s an amazing organ that lives inside of you but also a huge jerk that tells liiiiiiiiiiiiiiies.
Also I always kinda want to hug David Tennant generally and more so now. I mean, obvs I *wouldn’t,* because I can’t imagine being glomped by a strange American woman would be soothing, but the impulse remains.
The next time I'll be driving in my car and my brain tells me "you're in a car. You can't drive. Who the fuck allowed you to drive?" I'll just think about this as well.
"Yeah, but David Tennant's not really an impostor. Whereas, you are. Idiot." - A brain, 5 seconds after thinking about the original post.
David Tennant deserves the world but we don't deserve him. I have the same feelings toward Matthew Gray Gubler. So underrated people.
I love David, I can see through his eyes a big child who loves acting. I hope one day we will give him all his due.
judith Morales I completely agree on both counts, but also this is blatant Michael Sheen erasure! 🤪
I feel bad for him. A man so brilliant and successfull doubting himself so much is heartbreaking.
Yeah :(
It's part of what makes him great, having high standards and not telling himself he's perfect already. With the fame and money he's got, feeling bad and having a broken heart are really unnecessary. He's clearly doing just fine.
I know I love him so much and he does fantastic in everything he's in but I guess it's also kinda reassuring because many of us obviously think he's a fantastic actor, yet he still has those thoughts. It's nice to know that no matter how good you'll be you might think like that and this probably makes 0 sense but it's kinda reassuring to know someone as fantastic as David can have those doubtful thoughts too
Maybe its generational thing, but that feeling of being a fraud in your profession and general self-doubt has been a constant thread in my life. I assumed it was part of the human condition.
It's pretty common tho. I do theatre for 3 years and something, and obviously Is not much comparing to an entire carreer, but i've seen and I experienced this a lot. Almost every actor at a certain point think "okay, now somebody comes and tell me to leave bc no way I can handle this shit"
The best people are always filled with doubt
HIs best work was Crowley in Good Omens. absolutely brilliant!
That is so uncanny. I've always been like: unable to finish anything (trying to write music), because I fee I'm not good at this, because I don't deserve the positive remarks I'm getting and so on and so forth, in a way, because I feel I don't deserve to be here, to do what I'm doing.
Last week I've discovered that it was this "Imposter Syndrome". Who would have thought that such an incredible actor actually suffered from it as well!
I totally get that. I played through this horn sonata by Hindemith every day for 4 months and day of the performance ended up improvising stuff because I literally forgot how it went.
And now I feel better knowing that even David Tennant isn’t perfect.
God, I thought I only did this as an actor. I feel so relieved :)
He is really handsome
Boy I can relate to this! I’m not an actor but those feelings are spot on for many things in life
Gosh I feel this so much
I perform in musicals but honestly it can be so stressful
But I love David so much 😂😂😭
Such an interesting person! The perfect person to have a coffee with.
Please do Tom Hiddleston. I would love that.
Guest:
Sam: RiGhT !
Why is it that David Tennant with a beard looks exactly like Adam Levine with a beard? 🧐😂
In good omens this man acted so much like me, whilst being straight and having 5 kids, that my mother spend 2 hours laughing in recognition. With me being annoyed because of course I'm nothing like that. (I am) And negated the whole coming out as genderfluid thing. And he thinks he can't act..?
That must be crippling, I feel for him.
They should give him an Oscar or bafta right now
Can any native english speakers please tell me what exactly David is saying @0:35 before "from Paisley"? I need it … for science :)
"You're a little wee naff from Paisley."
@@EricaGamet Thank you! :)
“Fear motivates everything I do at all times; it’s a constant engine.” THIS. This is such a true statement for me.
What David said about improvising Shakespere is basically the biggest thing that my high school drama teacher, my voice teacher, and my guitar teacher all used to say in relation to performing live: No one will ever know that there's been a mistake until you call attention to it. Your audience will only think that you're putting your own spin on whatever it is.
Basically what they were saying was to not sweat it if you do make a mistake. If you happen to make one, let it lie and continue as if nothing is wrong and do better in practice for the next performance.
At my graduation exam at music school I played the same etude as my fellow violinist, but our teacher's decision was for us to use different bow techniques. And one moment, I, being ten measures ahead in my mind, suddenly forget the tune. While I was coming closer to the point I had forgotten, I remembered it. But at that exact note I put my finger on the wrong string! While I was thinking "I'm dead", my fingers played 5-6 improv notes and came back to the original melody. Nobody noticed it, except for the difference in bow techniques, which earned us both a lower grade from the music school director (she was just being picky because of her attitude to my violin teacher though, we both played wonderfully).
It's also just a few lines in a play. No one died and everyone was still entertained, which was the point.
I'm a violinist, and my teacher always says, if you make a mistake, just smile at the audience briefly and _keep going_
@@thunderbolt5982 your teacher is absolutely right! They won't notice a difference unless you draw attention to it, and it's better to make it look like an improv.
I was in a high school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I had 4 costume changes for 4 parts, one of them being an egyptian dancer. The full costume was basically just a white gown, a gold belt and an elaborate gold neck piece with a bunch of "jewels" and stuff that had a single clasp on the back. During our final performance, my entire family sitting in the front row, i was dancing at the very front of the stage right in front of them and the clasp broke. I was mortified but I was able to sort of balance it there until one move that put me near the edge of the stage and I just flung it stage right and finished the number then ran to do my next costume change. After the show, my mother was the only one who noticed it happen. No one else, in my entire family that was directly maybe 10 feet in front of me, even paid enough attention to me to know it happened xD
He carried Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, Doctor Who and even now is carrying Good Omens. Yet he still thinks he doesn't deserve his acclaim?
He's human; it happens.
The rebooted Ducktales...
And the loud house movie as well.
Knowing that an actor who I admire as much as David Tennant also suffers from Impostor Syndrome gives me a bit more confidence in myself.
"You improvised Shakespeare"
"Yes, yes I did."
You the man David Tennant. Great first name too.
Completely agree
@@farspear414 Completely agree
You have a great last name even if you spell it wrong. 😉
This is a common thing, apparently. I've heard it referred to as "bardlibbing". I'm sure some are better at it than others, but generally it's the idea of babbling Shakespeare-sounding filler while trying to remember the next line.
There's also the Improvised Shakespeare Company, which is an improv group that makes up fake Shakespeare plays on the spot. There are probably still some clips of them on youtube.
I feel there are two types of David: those who get called Dave and those that don't. I bet he never gets called Dave.
I'm getting this sensation quite often while driving.
My brain tellso me "you can't drive. You're not allowed to, only adults drive, you know nothing about cars!"
I'm 27 and I have been driving around for over 10 years now, but my brain didn't notice.
Cobalt I’ve had that a few times- hurtling down the freeway surrounded by cars and suddenly feeling like I don’t know what the hell i’m doing and I’m not even sure I can keep the car in a straight line. It’s a tad unnerving...
@@Pneumanon Exactly, sometimes I think, my brain tries to kill me.
I feel this in my core every time I get in a car. I'm 27 too. But I just remind myself that I've never been in an accident, I've never gotten a ticket, and I've avoided multiple accidents by being attentive. But there's a real moment of panic every time I put my seat belt on lol
I’m 32, been driving for 17 years and I still have the same thoughts pop into my head. I still feel like I’m just playing house even though I own my own home and am married and a mother. I still feel like that 12 year old kid that’s just nervously figuring out things as I go.
I’m 22 and always feel so embarrassed about driving for some reason? I started driving really late (19) and I still get really scared and nervous and like I am faking being a good driver. So this small comment chain was comforting to find
I’ve played songs so many times onstage that I have gone on autopilot then suddenly “woke up” and realized I have no idea where
I am in the song
Funny! David and Michael Sheen said the exact same thing in their interview on David's podcast
Happens all the time with me and my band. One time we were at practice and we all stopped playing at exactly the same time and we all just turned to each other and went ‘What the fuck just happened?’ XD
It happens to me too!
Saaaaaame
What a fascinating conversation. I love this show.
Very human interview. Glad to know actors at the highest level have the same issues as us everyday folk
I was in marching band for three years in high school and there’s always the moment in the middle of the show when you “ wake up”. Like your body knows exactly what to do and you can still think and move like normal but in the middle of the show for no reason your brain catches up to you and you realize what exactly It is that you are doing. And then suddenly you are micro analyzing every step, visual, and character move you are doing. And thats where the mistakes happen.
Celebrities speaking up about imposter syndrome is sooo important. Seriously, thanks so much David Tennant
This was very sobering and just what I needed to hear. Tennant is absolutely fabulous in everything he’s in; I can’t imagine being him and having doubts about your ability. Much support and love to him; this just shows how our human brains are sometimes a little too complex for our own good!
1:27 For a fleeting moment, you can see David Tennant tapping into the madness he uses for his darker characters. Incredible how quick that switch is - especially from someone who is genuinely the most kind, humble, and down-to-earth man 99% of the time. That's what makes his villains so deliciously terrifying, I reckon.
Always a treat to see David, keep up the fantastic interviews.
He's such a brilliant actor and a gem of a human being.
Impostor syndrome can be a terrible dragon to fight. What helped me was realizing most people are impostors. We're all just faking it and hoping nobody notices. Along the way we pick up enough of whatever it is we're supposed to be doing to be sort of OK. I've even seen a bunch of examples of people being actually found out. Times when somebody's incompetence was laid bare for all to see. You know what happened? Pretty much nothing. The moment was a bit awkward, but then everybody just sort of ignored it, stared at their feet, pretended nothing was wrong. I suspect our collective impostor syndrome means we don't want to call each other out, because if I call you out then you might call me out and that's not good for anyone.
So we all just shuffle along. Sometimes people get fired, but it's rarely because of actual incompetence or being found out, excepting extreme cases. Mostly it's just how workplaces function.
It'll be fine. Even David Tennant is an impostor, and he's doing quite fine it seems. He's under a LOT more scrutiny than I am, and if he's not been found out and fired yet then I'm sure I'll be alright.
David Tennant improvised Shakespeare. What a badass. One of the many, many reasons why he's my favorite actor of all time.
Sometimes I forget that Impostor Syndrome is a real thing and it's not just me and my brain mush. Hearing other people talk about it and how they deal with it is wonderful because it's a sense of validation that this is real and not something I made up. I'm really glad the conversation around mental health is opening up more, and that I've lasted long enough to be able to hear it.
The Doctor admitting to using crib notes gives me hope as an actor.
What are crib notes?
So the part where he’s talking about writing his part in the theatre program while he was on stage. Those are crib notes:
He has such a beautiful face.
Because David is an authentic person, acting is a strange idea when you think about it, pretending to be a different individual so that a story can be unfolded, it is bound to mess with your head if you let it.
My Impostor Syndrome refuses to let me compare me to the like of David Tennant, but yeah...pretty much this.
I improvised Shakespeare
- David Tennant
Thank you David, for saying nyaff. You can take the boy out of the west of Scotland, but you can’t take the west of Scotland out of the boy 🏴🏴🏴
The way he explained how his brain is a separate entity is how I've always felt. That's crazy
I think David doubting himself is what makes him so endearing and down to earth still. I wish him many decades more of acting jobs. 🥰
tbh if david freaking TENNANT has imposter syndrome, i’ll be just fine 🙌🏻
Wow that's so fantastic that he feels it too, like it's not do to age and inexperience
What a goddamn comfort it is to hear that. My brain likes to wake me in the middle of the night to walk through the play, even if its the last night before ending a season or even a week after.
i am 100% convinced david tennant is the greatest actor of our generation and thus hearing him say he has imposter syndrome is very comforting
oh my gosh, 1:49-2:00 That is exactly how I feel. that demon voice in your head that tries to undermine me at every corner, and I feel just as silly saying (or typing) it out loud as Tennant seems to feel saying it. like I got a featured solo part in an international audition for an independent musical project and when I got the news I went "yeeah!" but this voice in my head said "*It's because no one else auditioned for that specific part, cheater. you didn't earn this.*" like wtf? That's not even true. Why is my brain so maliciously trying to convince me I'm cheating/lying/annoying. That seems counterproductive. Like we have *fear* in order to keep us safe, keep us from doing potentially harmful things that will kill or damage our bodies, fear makes sense, but there's nothing this demon in my head is trying to keep me safe from.
I am today years old that I found out what imposter syndrome is, that I probably have the same fear every time I do anything in public, and that David has it
and that makes me feel less left out in my heart ^-^
Of all the acting professions, stage acting must be the most difficult. Just imagine having to preform in front of so many people, and no retakes available.
True, but if you get into it a bit you can feel the comfort of being around a cast you've been with for weeks, and most of the time the audience is thinking about your CHARACTER, not technically you. It can be scary AND comforting at times, because you're all trying to make this play fun and great and if the feeling is there then it's worth it. But yea, no retakes for sure!
. When you're in the zone it's amazing. For a few minutes I experienced it. I was aware of the audience waiting to hear what I would say next, considering how I would say it. Magical. Powerful.
I love him so much and love listening to him talk. His podcast is really good !
I did the same thing as a radio announcer. I would get nerves every time the mic went on, so I would over prepare by writing out my notes. I never used them, but knowing they were there made me less nervous. I was a talkback host doing a six hour show, so you can imagine the level of pressure to deliver.
I always said if I stopped getting nerves, it meant that I didn't care anymore and I would quit. Which is what happened, I stopped caring, stopped getting nerves, then I quit.
i somehow relate to david. i mean, i'm not a celebrity or actor in any way, but i understand what he means.
and so i can say: david tennant really doesn't deserve this. no one does, but especially not him. he's such a kind and warm-hearted person, it's sad to see how he has to struggle with such things
Just because he has fear and self doubt doesn't mean he doesn't love what he does. Children play act all the time! It's fun!
Love this show and love you brought David Tennant!
I never heard about imposter syndrome before and I can relate a bit to David Tennant as well.
Dude looks good in a beard! Wish i looked that good when i’m his age
David Letterman said he always felt the same way. That eventually somebody would tap him on the shoulder and say, "OK, thanks. The real guy is here." Or something like that.
Man, if Dave Tennant goes through this, maybe I'm not so hopeless after all.
imposter syndrome was always my fave dr who villian
David Tennant is good actor 😍😘😈❤️💯👍
Such a lovely man 🥰
One of the many things I love about Mr. Tennant is that in every interview or fan meeting I've seen of him (never met him personally), he is always actively listening to the other person. Very intently paying attention, not just thinking of what he's going to say next like a lot of actors. The bad thing, though, is something about the Scottish accent puts me right to sleep. It took four viewings to actually hear the whole clip lol because I keep falling asleep.
Holy crap, if a man as talented as David can have imposter syndrome, I don’t feel so bad about having it too!
That sad feeling when they say Subscribe and you want to have that moment again, but you subscribed years ago...
"Oh, bugger, I forgot the next part of the song." "So it just keeps getting verse and verse?" "No jury will convict me."
Actually the voice he’s describing isn’t our voice. It’s a voice of self-doubt, criticism, and shame embedded in us from our parents, our coaches, and our environment over the years. I read in the book “the five personality types“ that when we learn to separate ourselves from that voice we can learn to recognize that voice isn't our voice. We can then hear what that voice says, but know that it's not us and that we actually don't believe the things that voice says is true.
Somebody called that voice the "Itty bitty shitty committee" lol!
that feeling is so valid and so scary. It's nice to see and hear such a successful, loved, and talented actor talk about it so candidly. Honestly if someone doesn't feel that at some point are they even trying? Do they even care if their not doubting every action they do? Idk I love hearing him speak about such real things. This is something that makes him so human and so warm unlike other actors.
There's a great book of anecdotes from Canadian actors, called "Standing Naked in the Wings." A lot of the stories from world famous actors talk about worrying that they'll have to go back to the job they did before they got a job acting. I would guess that they're better actors than the ones who think they deserve to be big shots?
David Tennant has inspired me to be like him someday and if he read this i want him to know he is fantastic. And he is my hero, and someone i can look up to
“Yes this is terrifying but it will be fine and nobody will probably know and you’ll be okay”
Is going on my wall. When it comes down to it we’re all just kids trying to make it by 🥺 💕
I think it's because we ARE all imposters, but only sensitive individuals are aware of it. We pretend that we have it covered, we're on top of it but we're not. We're walking a knife edge over an abyss. No matter how rich, how talented, how many love us, how apparently healthy or smart we are, it can all come crashing down in the blink of an eye. It happens every day and when it happens to you, you say "Why me"? As if it hadn't happened to others around you and from time immemorial.
And that is why some of us meditate, to hopefully see through our illusions and let go of the obsession with this sacred thing we call our "self".
1:59
0:37
I am not usually one to leave a comment on UA-cam videos, but here we go! Theatre has always been a humongous passion of mine!😍Although I would get the normal pre show jitters and anxiety about messing up my lines (as I am sure any actor/actress will be able to relate to) I would always get onstage and the worries would immediately leave the second I started performing 😁However after years of performing in school productions and at my local theatre, I experienced my first ever mind blank... It was Grease, I was playing the role of Jan, and it just so happened that my first line... opened the WHOLE SHOW! The line I had practiced the most and knew so well slipped from my mind and I just stood there for a few seconds before stumbling through it. I can just remember the extreme heart palpitations and my friend staring back at me waiting for me to say the line!😱😭Apparently, it wasn't even that noticeable to my friends and family who were there in the audience that night, and the second I got the line back I just continued with the rest of the show🥰
But ever since that one slip up, the little confidence that I did possess in acting flew out of the window. I get so frustrated because I have managed to convince myself that it is impossible for me to remember dialogue, like David says at 1:30! Even though in the past I have remembered paragraph after paragraph of dialogue for this argument scene and have performed in a duologue from Antigone! I feel so sad for David and other actors who experience this Imposter Syndrome, but it also provides a bit of comfort too knowing that even the biggest actors can feel the same way. I really want to get back into acting and overcome this fear! If you have made it to the end of this comment, then you are absolutely amazing and thank you so much for reading! ❤
I've only ever done community theatre, but the same problems happen for me too, so it doesn't matter what level you are at, we all go through the same things.
The fact that I can relate to both of them is strange because I'm not a musician nor an actress, I'm a martial arts athlete for over a decade and right before every match or an exam to move on to the next level, there is this little voice in my head saying that I'll fail and everyone will remember. That I'll do something or forget what I have to say and embarrass myself first of all in front of my teacher and the other teachers and then the audience. This is going on for the last 2-3 years and I don't know why even though in the end I manage to move on to a new level the voice is still there telling me that I'll fail...
This is so relatable as an artist. I think it's fear along with determination that is the motivator... because when I'm just fearful I tend to avoid everything.
I'm a singer and when it comes to the songs themselves, I am pretty confident. I do fumble because I have a funky lisp that shines through every now and then. I learned to get over that and keep going. The show must go on, as they say. But I also play guitar at the same time, I am more terrified of forgetting and messing up on the guitar than singing lmao. I absolutely have no songs memorized and use my phone with the guitar chords and lyrics on display, but the fear is unfortunately still there. I also do have crippling stage fright; I've done a thing where I don't face the audience and just mentally check out and hope for the best. I cannot imagine acting and reciting lines oof. David Tennant is absolutely amazing for that
an intelligent actor, knows his part and his character, to the inclusion of how they interact with the other characters. Actor's will tell their directors "My Character" would not do it that way, but would do it this way instead.
in his Royal Shakespeare performance, Mr Tennant Knew the Character well enough, that even if he didn't speak "The Bards" words, he was able to speak the essence of the characters lines.
I love this man more and more every day 😍 and now I will forever see Romeo as David Tennant OH MY STARS😍😍😍😍😍
heavens to betsy. I know a bunch of other people have said it but I will repeat it now: if *David Tennant*, one of my personal all-time favorite actors both onstage and in film, sometimes thinks he's not good enough, my similar thoughts are probably nonsense.
also I can totally relate to the idea of 'waking up' in the middle of a scene where you've been doing it on autopilot and then suddenly you're like 'wait where am I?'
Oh my poor heart. I liked and followed the guy but now...I am deeply in love ;) :)
huh, after hearing them talk I realized I might have an imposter syndrome
As my dream of becoming a writer begins to take shape, and I’ve panicked over being asked to submit something for publication (rather than me seeking that out), I’ve come back to this video . . . to cry, to laugh, to calm my nerves . . . to remember I’m knowledgeable and I can do this.
I’ll forever be grateful to David Tennant for his Scots honesty, and to @theoffcameraahow for posting this. 🙏🏽❤️
He got Nominated for a Bafta, our man is finally getting his due diligence!
Oh God as an actor him describing the voice of forgetting your lines is giving me second-hand anxiety just listening to him. Can't even tell you the amount of times I've been about to go onstage and been like, "nope you don't remember any of the lines."
David Tennant: Undisputed King of Staring Sadly into the Middle Distance.
Did you ge that from honest trailers? 🤣🤣🤣
@@doodars9357 I forget where, but it certainly captures him.
The Sisyphean Journal it really does lmao
Awh, nu David, u ish very amazing and we love you 🥺 don’t listen to any haters :D
Haha, I do the same thing when I sing, write down the first 3-4 words of the songs.
David is one of the best It's interesting that even someone at his level feels this.
That’s a great story! much love to you *my* Doctor ❤️ what a lovely guy (both of) you are
Self doubt, because the brain is undermining you, must be second nature for an actor. Being a liar is in the job requirements. I think the more honest a person is the more difficult it must be portraying the characters and their lines. (Lies, essentially) Scots, are unnecessarily hard on themselves to begin with so, they have self doubt, in spades. It is healthy for actors to keep these worlds separated. After all, some artists can lose themselves if they get too deep.
I have the imposter syndrome too and I hate it and I feel like I will be found out and that I will be found wanting
He’s so humble for someone so talented... he’s such a role model.
Finally some genuine humility from these people
Is this a therapy session?🤔
Two big revelations here: #1: David Tennant (like most of us) wrestles with impostor syndrome and with fear of onstage memory lapses. #2: Sam Jones (our interviewer) is a musician, a guitarist, and has sung lead in a band, where he dealt with fear of onstage memory lapses also.
This is so helpful. It’s just the way the creative brain works! Thank you David you are a gift from the universe 🙏
Amanda Palmer calls it the "Fraud Police". (She mentions it in the video where Neil Gaiman interviews her. I think it was at the Boston Book Festival of 2015.)
How funny. I have been dealing with the imposter syndrome my entire life. Except, when I was acting. That was the only time I ever felt good about what I did. Unfortunately, parents step in to stop you and stupid me listened to them. So, I became a dozen other things (including a computer technician for Apple) and always felt I was just one step away from being found out for the fraud I was. Isn’t it funny how life works. I loved listening to you guys on this one. I love David’s work and its nice to hear that even the best have fears. Best to both of you.
Какой же он красивый….
David Tenant and Eric Bana need to be is something, anything where they play brothers. They actually look alike enough to pull it off.