'All Rise!'

That’s what they say in court when the judge enters.

Well, they do on TV.

You might, like many actors, ask what you can do to be a better actor when you’re not filming or in class.

Observing. That’s something.

Go to a court room, hospital or police station. Take a seat and look and listen. Stand around and see what you see.

All types you play on TV.

In the halls before court’s in session you’ll see the accused, their families, the expensive lawyers in their expensive shoes and the cheaper lawyers in their cheap shoes. Cops in uniform, detectives in suits giving hard stares, court officials.

Go sit in court.

You can’t go inside the Emergency ward, but you can wait in the waiting room. Lots to see and experience there. People in pain. The health care system naked and bare.

Go to Obstetrics and see the babies. See the mothers. See the nurses. Listen to the crying.

Drop into a police station for a real reason or a made up one. Ask a simple question. See what the cops in the station are doing. How the desk sergeant behaves.

Watch a cop direct traffic.

More movie types.

You’re observing yourself and others all the time as part of your work. These three particular workplaces can give you a specific experience.