Robert De Niro quote.
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“In acting, I always try to go back to what would actually be the real situation, the real human behaviour in life. It’s the most difficult ...Read More
Put yourself first.
/On set and in acting class put yourself first.
If you look after yourself, take your space then you will be a good scene partner.
Putting yourself first is key in your relationship with the collective of film workers making the movie. Each must do their job the best they can making the whole better.
Don’t get confused by
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Playing potential.
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Develop your ability to see parts of the scene that have potential for you to play. Particular and specific moments of playing. Moments that are describable and definable.
At first glance, something in a scene may appear problematic, but upon examination, you can see it as potential.
Let’s look at an example from an audition scene.
Read MorePlanned responses.
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When you feel attacked or put on the spot it’s great to have a good comeback answer.
Even a simple, common question from a fellow actor can throw you off.
If you meet colleagues every day and answering the usual questions puts you down that makes for a long day of …
Read MorePick a page, any page.
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There are many wonderful writers on acting: Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Keith Johnstone, Uta Hagen, Harold Clurman and others.
When you want to be inspired and enlightened pick up one of their books and open it.
Anywhere.
Read until you get …
Read MoreOverwhelmed.
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It’s easy to get overwhelmed.
As the world gets more and more chaotic, so does the movie industry. More competitive, faster, lower pay, harsher and tougher.
You have goals and want to improve, dream in colour, work hard, push …
Read MoreOpposites.
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As an actor you need skin as thin as glass in front of the camera and thick as leather in the movie business.
Finding an opposite can help you see what the thing is and what it isn’t.
Asking questions allows an answer which in turn allows the opposite …
Read MoreOne foot in, one foot out.
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That’s a terrible place for you to be working.
One half of your mind going one way, and the other half going the other. Causes a disconnect.
Why?
There could be lots of reasons. Perhaps you think the movie’s content is …
Read MoreNeeded.
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You and all of us want to be needed.
It’s only human.
When you’re cast in a show part of the good feeling is that the movie needs you. It can’t be made without you playing that role. You’re now an integral part of the whole.
You’re needed.
If you’re not booked on a show and not getting auditions you can start to feel like you’re not …
Read More‘My audition could have been better’.
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The audition you do at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning is the best audition you can do at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
If you could have done better you would have.
There’s no need to set yourself up for constant regret. You’re already in the business of auditioning and acting in ...
Read MoreMovie stars.
/Some actors are movie stars.
You may be one now or in the future.
Most of what you need to learn as a movie star is different from what you’ve learned as an actor. They’re two – often overlapping – different jobs.
Everyone knows the things movie stars do. Interviews on talk shows, red carpets, posing for pictures, promoting movies, getting involved with social questions of the day, being famous. You know all this …
Read MoreMake trouble for yourself.
/Find moments in the scene where you have to struggle.
To fight.
The first part of the scene you’re only giving your partner 50% of your attention. When she gives you the news you’re jerked to 100% attention. You’ll be caught off …
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Putting all your energy in your socks.
/When you prepare your audition put your energy into the acting.
Under pressure you can wish that by dressing perfectly you’ll get the part. And that includes – both literally and figuratively – your socks.
How you dress, your hair, are all important. Make the decisions based on the show and the scene …
Read MoreLearning in the same place at the same time.
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Can you study in the same space and at the same time of day?
There is much belief that the mind and body learn well – better - when done in the same place and at the same time.
When you repeat that it becomes habitual.
See if it calms your brain and helps you work better.
Read MoreLearn the situation.
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When preparing a scene learn the situation don’t memorize a scene.
Learning the situation allows your brain to assimilate the words as they are linked to what is happening in the scene.
Learning it is quite different from memorizing.
If you learn what is going on – how you’re getting what you want, the facts, relationship, time, place – you’ll have much more …
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Knowing your lines.
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No actor ever got cast in a movie because they recited their lines correctly.
You get cast in a movie if your acting is good enough and if you look and sound the way the producers and director want.
All actors learn their lines. It’s kind of the first thing we set out to do.
In an audition the key is to show yourself doing something. Don’t get …
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