Creative Perfectionists: Emmy Rossum, James Cameron, Wayne Gould & others

Commentary by Douglas Eby, creator of the Talent Development Resources site http://talentdevelop.com

This is Emmy Rossum in a screen test for her role in Phantom of the Opera (2004).

In an interview, she commented about her creative work as an actor and singer: "I'm heavy on preparation. Some actors come to the set and don't know what scene they're playing, but that would make me crazy. It's not about control but perfectionism - my biggest vice and one of my biggest assets."

That is a perspective shared by many other talented people.

Michelle Pfeiffer has commented, Im a perfectionist, so I can drive myself mad and other people, too. At the same time, I think thats one of the reasons Im successful. Because I really care about what I do. I really want it to be right, and I want it to be good, and I dont quit until I have to.

A number of talented and accomplished actors and other creative people are energized or burdened by this drive.

Its also a matter of how you think of it.

Director James Cameron refutes being labeled as a perfectionist: No, Im a greatist. I only want to do it until its great.

But a drive to be perfect can be an obsessive emotional force that helps fuel insecurity and dissatisfaction with your work, and undermines healthy self esteem.

Jane Fonda in her memoir My Life So Far admits to suffering from a destructive aspect: Because I believed that to be loved I had to be perfect, I moved out of myself my body early on and have spent much of my life searching to come home to be embodied.

But the drive toward perfection works for many accomplished creative people.

Someone known for her nit-picking attention to detail, Martha Stewart has declared, Im a maniacal perfectionist. And if I werent, I wouldnt have this company. Its the best rap! Nobodys going to fault me for that.

I have proven that being a perfectionist can be profitable and admirable when creating content across the board: in television, books, newspapers, radio, videos. All that content is impeccable.

But being displeased with anything less than what you think is perfect can be a hindrance.

Computer programmer Wayne Gould, who helped the Sudoku puzzle become such a phenomenon, said, "Im a perfectionist. Im slowed down by that. Its a terrible combination, having an interest in everything and being a perfectionist.

Linda Kreger Silverman, PhD, Director of the Gifted Development Center, notes Excellence is the hard-won prize of those whose zeal and dedication are fueled by the drive to attain perfection, as they envision it.

So its a matter of balance, of using this need to make it great to refine yourself, your talents and your work, without being overwhelmed or undermined by it.

videos:

Emmy Rossum screen test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EilrvqYMH6k

Emmy Rossum channel
http://www.youtube.com/emmyrossumchannel

Related material :

post: Being a perfectionist
http://highability.org/being-a-perfectionist/

Perfectionism
http://talentdevelop.com/perfection.html

In Praise of Perfectionism, by Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D.
http://talentdevelop.com/articles/InPrPerf.html

my article: Perfectionism
http://talentdevelop.com/articles/Page1003.html

Perfectionism articles
http://talentdevelop.com/articlelive/categories/Perfectionism/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• perfectionism
• creativity
• psychology