Actors keeping record but disregarding a large source of influence (8)
I believe the answer is:
catalyst
'influence' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for catalyst that I've seen before include "Agent promoting change" , "Stimulus" , "Cause of change, itself unchanged" , "Long journey (by sea)" , "Something precipitating an event" .)