We All Have Habits: Awareness is the Key to Fixing Them

Habits—those unconscious quirks and ticks we all have—are part of being human. But as Brian Cutler explains, “What we have to do for the camera is just fix ‘em. Be aware of ‘em and fix ‘em. It is not a problem.” This is especially important in acting, where even small actions can become magnified on screen.

Brian emphasizes that these habits aren’t something to apologize for; they’re simply part of life. “We all have them,” he shares, candidly admitting his own tendency to rub his mustache due to allergies. “But I don’t do it on camera. ‘Cause I know I do it. So I don’t do it!” he says with a laugh. The lesson? Awareness is everything.

Correcting habits on camera is simple in concept, but as Brian points out, it’s “simple but not easy.” It takes mindfulness, self-awareness, and practice to identify and adjust these unconscious behaviors. Once you do, you’ll be able to focus fully on your performance, free from distractions.

For actors, being aware of habits is an essential part of preparation. By acknowledging them and learning to set them aside when the camera rolls, you’ll create a more polished and intentional performance.