I had a good time this week in class. I'm not sure if it's cause I went first, or if it's because it was improv, or because I didn't care as much (because I just followed the story), or because I did good work I was told... but I had fun this week. I enjoyed the story we could tell. It reminded me of the training I've gotten of listening and responding truthfully given the circumstances you are given. I can see why some people become actors by not being actors. We all have a shared collection of common experiences. We all know what it feels like to be slighted... or be scared... to be nervous. And so we can tap into that. The more ease you have with it the better I believe.
But I will say that acting for the camera IS different than acting for the stage. The biggest reason is that the scale is different. After talking to one of my professors earlier last week, I came to one conclusion. The 'acting' part (or rather the being) is the same. For the stage, you have to be bigger because you have to tell the story to an entire room. But for the camera, the entire room already has the microscope, a screen. I don't think it makes what actors for the stage have to do any less, but I think it helps me, an actor who is more skilled at being on stage, when I think about transitioning.
A few other things:
There's a girl from my hometown who just recently became a gold medalist at the Olympics in Track & Field this past summer. And she told me a story once. She said she was in her car with her dad and her dad asked her, "do you want to do this and be a winner, a star, or do you just want this to be a fun hobby?" And she wanted to be a winner. And from that moment on, she said one of the things she did was do 10,000 crunches a day because as a runner, her core is important. I laughed when she told me but it's serious. I know this industry needs all kinds of people in it. But if I know that it IS a look based industry... how much do I work to change my looks to be a star in it? And how much of that is a copout? I know so many people I look up to who worked on their skills... but also worked on their bodies to be seen on the camera. Ignoring that reality makes me naive at best. Tina Fey did it, Amy Poeler did it, Kerry Washington, Lisa Berry (Canadian actress) and even Jennifer Hudson. If THEY did it... what makes me think I shouldn't? I'm not saying I wanna change who I am but does it help or does it hurt?
But I will say that acting for the camera IS different than acting for the stage. The biggest reason is that the scale is different. After talking to one of my professors earlier last week, I came to one conclusion. The 'acting' part (or rather the being) is the same. For the stage, you have to be bigger because you have to tell the story to an entire room. But for the camera, the entire room already has the microscope, a screen. I don't think it makes what actors for the stage have to do any less, but I think it helps me, an actor who is more skilled at being on stage, when I think about transitioning.
A few other things:
- Script Analysis is important. I've been learning that about the play we are doing. So, outline the 5 important things that happen in the scene and follow that arc. Don't tell another story.
- Don't fight an obstacle you don't have (even in life)
- The idea of not knowing the first line (I always use this as a trick up my sleeve. it gives you such rich storytelling at the top of the scene)
- Listen and know what YOU want.
- Audition is always a performance (DUH. I do this to because it helps me think I can really play. Granted, I do it cause I think I won't get cast... but that means.. I can give them the show of their lifetime.)
- It all starts with the script (obviously!)
- Neutral doesn't mean lazy. Just make your point of view specific!
There's a girl from my hometown who just recently became a gold medalist at the Olympics in Track & Field this past summer. And she told me a story once. She said she was in her car with her dad and her dad asked her, "do you want to do this and be a winner, a star, or do you just want this to be a fun hobby?" And she wanted to be a winner. And from that moment on, she said one of the things she did was do 10,000 crunches a day because as a runner, her core is important. I laughed when she told me but it's serious. I know this industry needs all kinds of people in it. But if I know that it IS a look based industry... how much do I work to change my looks to be a star in it? And how much of that is a copout? I know so many people I look up to who worked on their skills... but also worked on their bodies to be seen on the camera. Ignoring that reality makes me naive at best. Tina Fey did it, Amy Poeler did it, Kerry Washington, Lisa Berry (Canadian actress) and even Jennifer Hudson. If THEY did it... what makes me think I shouldn't? I'm not saying I wanna change who I am but does it help or does it hurt?