Actress Alison Wright is well-known for her roles in movies and television series. She frequently discusses the difficulties actors have pacing themselves during rehearsals and performances. She says it can be very hard for performers to let themselves go at their own pace without feeling bad about it or worried that they might be slowing down other people.

Consider a river that meanders through a valley. The water must occasionally swiftly flow over rocks and around curves. The current does, however, occasionally slow down as it meanders through serene expanses of open land. An actor's performance must flow organically, sometimes quickly and other times more slowly, much like this river.

Wright stresses that rather than hurrying through scenes out of concern for upsetting other people, actors should take their time to thoroughly explore their characters and emotions. Richer performances with greater emotional resonance may result from this strategy. Many actors, however, find this concept difficult to accept because they fear becoming a burden or slipping behind in the production schedule.

Even if it means occasionally defying the prevailing wisdom that prioritizes speed over quality, her advice encourages actors to have faith in themselves and their gut feelings. In the same way that taking your time during rehearsals helps you better understand and connect with other actors, an actor can portray their character more authentically by adopting a slower pace.

In general, Wright's counsel focuses on striking a balance in the demanding field of acting and serves as a reminder to performers that self-compassion and patience are frequently necessary for greatness.