Forest Whitaker Acceptance Speech

“Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK.

When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.

So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit. And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime, that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime. Thank you.”

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

this Need of a Mutual Understanding

- click on image to enlarge -

This mutual understanding is a universal bond, which could not be removed without the community falling to pieces; it is force of cohesion permeating the structure of society, so that if this force were to cease to act, the whole mass would crumble into dust. We therefore place this Need of a Mutual Understanding among the principal springs of human action.

from The Elements of Morality, Including Polity, (1864) by William Whewell

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

The Dr. José Angel Santana Interview

Last week two very pleasant and insightful theater artists Tee Quillin and John Mauldin interviewed me for their innovative Podcast, the INEXPLICABLE DUMB SHOW. I had thought we’d speak primarily about my participation in the SANFORD MEISNER MASTER CLASS (DVD), a rare and classic document showing my renowned teacher, Sanford Meisner at work.

Quite graciously, the hosts showed a keen interest in my work about how art principles might be of use for personal growth and mutual understanding between people. Their questions and insights were "on point" with the work that Youand is all about, that is unfolding here, and which begins with “really” listening to one another.

For the first 15 minutes, all we discuss is the application of art principles to human relations. After that, our exchange is about what I learned from Sanford Meisner, how I was able to apply his teaching to my life and work, and how all this and much more can bee seen on the marvelous, SANFORD MEISNER MASTER CLASS (DVD).

Thank you Tee and John of, the INEXPLICABLE DUMB SHOW.

Sincerely,

José Angel Santana, Ph.D.

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

CHECK-IN: COMING SOON!

from The Mirror Up To Nature.

Dr. José with Kevin Spacey,
(L-R) Nina Bernstein, Scott Burkholder, Lucinda Jenney
in Trevor Griffith's "Real Dreams." (1984)

Coming Soon!!

"We are pleased to announce that we will soon be featuring an interview with José Angel Santana, Ph.D on the podcast! (Seen at right (above) with Kevin Spacey in Trevor Griffiths (Reds) at the Williamstown Theater Festival, 1984.)

Why, you ask? Well, it just so happnes that a younger Dr. Santana was one of the featured students on the Sanford Meisner Master Class DVD. We will be talking with him about that very experience and the projects he’s been working on in the interim.

What? You haven’t seen the DVD? Why don’t you buy it from Amazon?

Anyway, be on the lookout for it of at the Dumb Show. In the meantime, check out Dr. Santana’s website and tell him you got there from here!

Speaking of the Sanford Meisner DVD, you also need to be listening to the podcast for your chance to win a copy of the DVD thanks to Open Road Films! Information on that will be coming soon!"

-- The Mirror Up To Nature (www.mirroruptonature.com)

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

CHECK-IN: "MR. RELATIONSHIP"

Yesterday, someone asks me, "What do you do?"

I say, "I work to raise awareness and help people develop skills to enhance mutual-understanding, between one person and another."

He says, "Oh, that is very difficult!"

I say, "Especially, since there are so few places to learn it. When has anyone taken a course in "mutual-understanding"?"

He says, "So, your 'Mr. Relationship'?"

For some reason, I was quite flattered.

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut