In this episode, Simon Waller sits down with storytelling expert and actor Megan Davis to explore the uncertain — and deeply human — future of acting.
Megan shares her personal journey back to the craft after a long hiatus, reflecting on the profound impact acting has on personal growth and its role in helping us understand humanity. Together, Simon and Megan unpack the emotional power of performance and how stepping into different roles can help us reconnect with ourselves.
In Megan’s near-future scenario, technology and emotion collide. AI-generated actors and virtual sets challenge our notions of authenticity, empathy, and even art itself!
This opens up a fascinating discussion about our evolving relationships with AI, the importance of emotional depth in human interactions, and the future of acting in a world increasingly shaped by technology — and the cost savings that come with it.
They touch on the rise of automation in the film industry, the battle over digital rights, and the ethical complexity of ultimately owning a face or a feeling. At its core, this episode is a meditation on what makes us human — and whether that can ever truly be rendered.
Because in a world increasingly shaped by machines, acting might just be one of the last places we get to feel something real.
CHAPTERS:
03:49 Introduction to storytelling and friendship
06:25 The future of acting: A personal journey
09:42 The impact of acting on personal growth
14:28 The role of acting in understanding humanity
16:19 Exploring the future of acting
17:31 Megan’s scenario: The future of acting
21:50 Unpacking the scenario and its implications
25:26 The power of live theater
26:40 The emotional arc of acting
29:28 The impact of AI on acting
32:03 The discomfort of acting
33:31 Automation in the film industry
37:27 The role of directors in automation
38:51 Emotional experiences in acting
43:00 Digital rights and AI in acting
47:00 The intersection of acting and emotional needs
48:43 The rise of AI relationships
51:38 Exploring emotional depths
55:40 The future of acting and AI
01 :00:40 The human spirit and expression
TAKEAWAYS:
- Acting fosters deeper self-awareness and empathy.
- Training in acting can be life-changing.
- The desire to perform is rooted in emotional expression and connection.
- Acting classes can help people better navigate emotions and reduce societal harm.
- Live theatre provides continuous, unfiltered emotional experiences.
- Film is an accessible and powerful medium for storytelling.
- Emotional depth is essential for both storytelling and personal growth.
- AI may simulate emotions, but it lacks human nuance and depth.
- Automation is increasingly replacing roles in the film industry.
- Directors and producers are less likely to be automated due to complex decision-making.
- AI raises ethical concerns around actors' digital identities and rights.
- The emotional demands of acting can lead to burnout.
- Younger actors often struggle with emotional discomfort.
- Digital content frequently lacks the emotional resonance of human-driven stories.
- AI may change how acting is done, but it won’t replace the human core of the craft.
- The future of acting will evolve — but human connection will keep it alive.
GUEST:
Megan Davis: https://spendloveandlamb.com/