Direction

From heartthrob to professor

November 16, 2021

“The arrow doesn’t seek the target, the target draws the arrow.”

                                                                                                                                                                      – Matthew McConaughey

Yes, I just quoted Matthew McConaughey. And yep, it’s the same stoner from Dazed & Confused, dreamy lead love interest in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Matthew McConaughey you’re picturing. Earlier this year I read his book, Greenlights. And when I say I read it, I mean I devoured it! Literally couldn’t put it down. (He’s got much more depth than I had ever imagined.)

Why I bring this up here: Matthew (yes, we’re on a first name basis) writes about a transformational time in his life and career in 2008 when he refused work for nearly two years, virtually disappearing from Hollywood. The reason: he knew in his heart, and in his gut, that he was destined for more. Having grown his fame to become one of the world’s most recognized heartthrobs, almost the “you can count on it” leading man in every Rom Com, Matthew longed to be a dramatic actor.

In 2008 he chose to quietly step out of the limelight and into his cocoon so he could re-emerge, spread his wings, and shock everyone with his versatility. Dozens of leading roles for new Rom Coms came to him in those two years. He denied every one of them. Matthew writes, “When facing any crisis…I’ve found that a good plan is to first recognize the problem, then stabilize the situation, organize the response, then respond. Aware that I needed more as an actor, I’d recognized the problem. Now it was time to pivot and stabilize my situation.”

His crisis at that time was his yearning burning desire to be more and do more. About a dozen years later, he transformed yet again, when he realized he was living most abundantly through his characters. For our entertainment, he had brought countless characters to life, and at this juncture of his life he realized it was time for another change. In 2019, Matthew became a professor of practice at UT Austin, his alma mater, as well as the Minister of Culture for the University of Texas and the City of Austin and several additional non-Hollywood lead roles. 

What’s the target drawing your arrow?