English actor Shaun Evans is well-known for his parts in television shows like "Murdoch Mysteries" and the highly regarded British detective series "Endeavour." Evans made a provocative observation about how work can influence personal life in one interview. He talked about the metamorphosis that happens when a performer or artist puts themselves in another person's shoes to share their story.
Evans likens this experience to a chameleon that changes color in response to its environment. Actors and authors frequently become so engrossed in the characters or stories they are writing that elements of those roles can permeate their everyday lives, much like a chameleon blends in perfectly with its surroundings. This blending occurs gradually, bit by bit, and isn't always instantaneous.
The quote discusses how someone's perceptions and interactions with the world outside of work can be influenced when they spend a large portion of their day imagining or reenacting the feelings and experiences of others. An actor portraying a detective, for example, may find themselves delving into situations as though they were solving a mystery. Writing a tragic story can make a writer feel more depressed even when they're not writing.
Evans' observation emphasizes how brittle the lines separating personal identity and professional roles are. It serves as a reminder that although creating art frequently necessitates putting ourselves in other people's shoes, it can also have a subtle impact on our own lives by influencing how we view the world.