Actor Martin Delaney On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Focus on the process, not the result — A great acting coach John Osborne Hughes once told me that when actors focus on the result, they get a cliché. Living the thoughts of the character in the moment, helps us to create an original, truthful piece work.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Martin Delaney.
Martin Delaney portrays the central character of American entrepreneur Rob Ryan in the new feature film The Man Who Saved The Internet With A Sunflower. He started his acting career on stage in London’s West End, directed by Sam Mendes, among others. Martin has appeared in many BAFTA, Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated and winning, British and American productions. His TV work includes BAFTA and Emmy nominated Outlander; Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Catch 22; Robin Hood; Suspicion; Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything and BAFTA winning Him and Her.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Well, there were various milestones along the way but I guess I always had a vivid imagination when I was a child and always found myself in and amongst a good story. Ultimately it was a combination of an interest in cinema and Shakespeare from my Dad — which influenced me greatly — coupled with good teachers and support when I was at school, which helped me to play and explore at my earliest experience of performing live theatre. The biggest influence in carving this particular path, was my dad telling us to do “what we love and never chase the money”; this always helped me discern a way forward. It has stayed with me in a way that has become particularly salient since he passed away in 2016.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Oh, I’m not very good at being interesting I’m afraid. Haha! I mean it’s pretty subjective right? I guess… the thing that feels like I have to pinch myself every now and then, is because of a Nickelodeon TV show that I worked on when I was much younger, I got to play football with some of the England 1966 World Cup Winning squad. That’s not a very usual experience for an actor, or even a footballer for that matter. It was such a unique moment.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Aha! Well, the good news is, I’ve made so many mistakes that there’s a lot to choose from here!! I once went to audition — some 20 years ago when I was young and foolish — in character! Yup. Method style. The character was the antagonist in the piece. I do not think it reflected well on me. Haha. So, I think it’s fair to say, I learned that it was something I should never, and will never, repeat. I could just sum it up using Chaplin’s quote. It was “a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot”. I’ve also learned to be yourself, be authentic and then let the work do all the talking.
You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Well firstly, I want to acknowledge that the prospect of ‘failure’ as you put it, is daunting. It’s also incredibly scary. I’m not a big fan of giving advice, simply because everyone’s journey is so unique… so different. The thing that I’ve personally always held on to, is the idea of self-reflection. What do I want? Where is my heart drawing me near? Discerning what I want at the various stages of the career has been useful to me. Then working out a plan, each little step in that direction, is something I’ve come to realise is incredibly important. So, I try to adopt a continual practise asking myself two questions: What do I want? How am I going to get there? The interesting thing for me, is how the answers to both, have evolved and changed over the years.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I’m conscious of not wishing to speak in objective truths around this subject, and another thing I want to acknowledge is my own mixed heritage. With my dad being Irish and my mum being Burmese, I’m acutely aware of the cultural richness it has brought me, in my own life. So, for me diversity is an incredibly valuable asset.
To answer your question, the three reasons that I feel most connected to, would be:
I believe diversity brings diversity of thought and understanding, which equates to more enriching ideas and stronger creative outcomes.
I believe the stories we tell should reflect the societies we live in.
And lastly, equity matters to me.
I believe diversity in the workplace has the potential to not only create powerful, more rich and exciting work but also it means that under-represented groups have the opportunity to play roles and characters they’ve been denied historically.
I believe artists have a responsibility to hold a mirror up to society. The more we can harness the power of diversity, the more truth we get to display, and the more opportunity we have to promote positive equity.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Get good, not busy — Success essentially, is more the shadow that is cast as a result of turning in solid, interesting and relatable characters. So, for me this is simply about having one’s priorities in order.
- Auditioning is its own skill — Auditioning isn’t the job, and yet it’s the whole job to some degree. It’s where we work hardest as actors, and we spend a lot of time doing it. Yet, it rarely feels like what doing-the-actual-job, feels like — being on set or whatever, but it’s the closest we can get. It is its own practise, its own unique entity. Therefore, it requires it’s own attention and focus.
- Focus on the process, not the result — A great acting coach John Osborne Hughes once told me that when actors focus on the result, they get a cliché. Living the thoughts of the character in the moment, helps us to create an original, truthful piece work.
- Having a career is a long game — There are of course highs and lows in a career. Being conscious of and preparing for those lower moments, is crucial to sustainability and positive mental health.
- Invest your money — Start a pension or invest at your earliest opportunity. It can be a precarious, insecure game out there!
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Meditate.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I think I’d like to see more empathy in the world. In order to get there however, we need to develop the skill of listening. I’m always struck by how we’re never taught to listen at school, we’re just told to. If we can develop this skill and actively listen to others, we go some way to understanding their position. This strengthens relationships and helps us to empathise, even (and possibly especially) when we disagree. Listening, is also a crucial skill for an actor and I don’t believe you can be truly good at the job, without empathy for the characters we play — even the ‘bad’ ones.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m so grateful to say that I’ve been helped so much along the way. From my parents — who made up for the little they knew of this industry, by teaching me that each and all possibilities are as close as a breath; to school teachers who nurtured my theatrical interest many years ago. There are also some wonderful and faithful casting directors, who have shown great belief in me over the years. I’m extremely grateful to them and the opportunities they’ve given me. Most importantly I’m fortunate enough to have a supportive partner, my wife — actress Emerald O’Hanrahan, who not only encourages me but makes me smile and laugh every single day. My wife and I have a young son, and I feel so grateful to have met someone so utterly incredible and to be sharing the journey of life, marriage and parenthood with her. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. She’s everything to me.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
The motto for the Irish surname Delaney, is Latin and it reads: Depressus Tamen Extoller. Which essentially means: though weighed down, I rise. It’s been heartening to ponder in those more challenging moments that life can throw one’s way. It speaks to me about the values of tenacity and determination that have meant a lot to me over the years. I feel grateful to have such a motto attached to our family and its history.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I love hearing about directors and actors’ journeys or their process and I’m also fascinated by people generally, along with their motivations. If I could pick someone in this moment in time, I’d love to sit and have lunch with director Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward). I’ve been such a fan of his movies over the years, he creates such exceptional versatile work. He’s an amazing producer too and admire all he’s achieved and created. The thing I’m most fascinated by, is that transition into filmmaking. I’d love to know more about how and why he moved from being in one of the most popular TV shows in the world, to becoming that fine storyteller he is. I would absolutely love to be directed by him. He seems so warm, sincere and collaborative. I’ve auditioned for a project he’s produced before and got very close but not anything he’s directed. I’ll look to the future with hope…
How can our readers follow you online?
Well… currently they may struggle, ha! I went AWOL a few years back after some account hacks and general sadness at the direction the major social media platforms were going in. I’m still waiting for the ethical social media platform that allows users to be authentic, own their own data and not nudge them towards conflict with others. Wouldn’t that be nice eh? Ha! These days, I’m a real-world kinda guy. Let’s just say, I’m opting for more handshakes than hashtags.
However you can follow the socials of the film The Man Who Saved The Internet With A Sunflower where I play the lead role of American entrepreneur Rob Ryan.
https://www.instagram.com/themanwhosavedtheinternetfilm/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555943720821
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
