Happy Summer actors!!! Its August and time to start preparing for the fall audition season and making sure you finish off 2015 stronger than ever! Here are my three main rules you must employ and remember to make sure your acting is compelling to watch. You should be practicing this often....here we go.
1. You need every one of your emotions
There is no such thing as a positive or negative emotion to an actor- remember, your emotions are your tools! So not wanting to express anger or sadness because you "want to be positive" will kill your acting! Socially you may say "it isn't necessary to be so angry" which, I am told, is a healthy way to live. However in your acting, anger is completely necessary. Expressing anger will take you to sadness and eventually joy- TRUTHFULLY. You need every one of your emotions. Would you hear a carpenter say, "My hammer is negative and makes to much noise. I think I'll just use my caulking gun for these nails". Ridiculous right? So is an actor ignoring his true feelings.
There is no such thing as a positive or negative emotion to an actor- remember, your emotions are your tools! So not wanting to express anger or sadness because you "want to be positive" will kill your acting! Socially you may say "it isn't necessary to be so angry" which, I am told, is a healthy way to live. However in your acting, anger is completely necessary. Expressing anger will take you to sadness and eventually joy- TRUTHFULLY. You need every one of your emotions. Would you hear a carpenter say, "My hammer is negative and makes to much noise. I think I'll just use my caulking gun for these nails". Ridiculous right? So is an actor ignoring his true feelings.
2. Your strength is in your vulnerability
While your anger is absolutely necessary, it doesn't last. Once you fully express your anger, your joy or your excitement, there is always a much more vulnerable note waiting just underneath the surface. Your vulnerable moments are what will make your characters human and relatable, what will make you compelling to watch. The most heroic thing an actor can do on screen is admit their loneliness or fear, not with words but by being seen and allowing the truth, not running from it. You must be willing to be seen.
While your anger is absolutely necessary, it doesn't last. Once you fully express your anger, your joy or your excitement, there is always a much more vulnerable note waiting just underneath the surface. Your vulnerable moments are what will make your characters human and relatable, what will make you compelling to watch. The most heroic thing an actor can do on screen is admit their loneliness or fear, not with words but by being seen and allowing the truth, not running from it. You must be willing to be seen.
3. I don't give a F@&% what you want
Fight for something. I often hear actors who come in to prepare for an audition knowing what their "want" is in the scene. Wanting something isn't enough, it often comes from your ego and puts you in your head. Plus when you don't get what you want (which may just be in the script) you'll end up feeling frustrated and dissatisfied, not the best emotions to watch. Instead, you must be fighting for something. You must constantly be fighting, for when you stay in a fight that you truly believe in, then your attention is on the fight, rather than your emotions and ego. You leave yourself alone and whatever is going on in you can go on as a result of your action. So take a stand, start a fight, fight for love or money or justice- just don't settle for a want.
Fight for something. I often hear actors who come in to prepare for an audition knowing what their "want" is in the scene. Wanting something isn't enough, it often comes from your ego and puts you in your head. Plus when you don't get what you want (which may just be in the script) you'll end up feeling frustrated and dissatisfied, not the best emotions to watch. Instead, you must be fighting for something. You must constantly be fighting, for when you stay in a fight that you truly believe in, then your attention is on the fight, rather than your emotions and ego. You leave yourself alone and whatever is going on in you can go on as a result of your action. So take a stand, start a fight, fight for love or money or justice- just don't settle for a want.
If you are ready to take action and transform your acting by following the above rules and igniting your instincts with acting classes rooted in the Meisner Technique please check out the links below.
Beginner class starts August 12th, Ongoing classes on special until September 1st, Drop in any Sunday evening!
For more info or a free consult with Robyn Kay contact her at 416-312-9188 or [email protected]
Beginner class starts August 12th, Ongoing classes on special until September 1st, Drop in any Sunday evening!
For more info or a free consult with Robyn Kay contact her at 416-312-9188 or [email protected]
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