Stage actors have to work well with others. That is an absolute. Nowhere more than the theater do actors have to work as a team. If you are making a movie you might shoot for 10 minutes and then stay in your dressing room for hours waiting for your next shot. If you make a mistake, it is re-shot, no one has to save you. Stage actors spend weeks in rehearsal and sometimes years in production, there is no room for bad behavior here. That does not mean it doesn't happen, but well trained stage actors know the rules and will try to put their personal "stuff" aside and work well with the director, other actors, and the crew.
Why is teamwork so much more important on the stage? Other than the fact that bad, disrespectful, behavior is something that should never be tolerated, on the stage you may need the actor who you have disrespected. That actor may just have to save your ass if you drop a prop, forget a line, something breaks, the list goes on and on. One of the reasons we love live theater is that it is such a challenge. One never knows what is going to happen on stage at any given moment. Working as a team the actors bring a show to life and meet all challenges.
The following suggestions are from "A Practical Handbook for the Actor" by Melissa Bruder, etal.
Though conflict is the essence of drama, it is the bane of productivity; therefore keep the following virtues ever before you:
1: Humility, so that when someone corrects you, you will not be offended
2: Generosity, so that when someone errs, you do not condemn, but forgive.
3: Consideration, so that when someone believes something, you do not denounce that belief.
4: Tact, so that when you believe something, you know the proper place, manner, and time to
present that belief.
5: NEVER direct another actor or even tell another actor that they are wrong. You may not like the choices but it is not your business to direct. Only the director may do that. "Backstage" directing is so destructive to a production that I cannot stress enough the importance of not doing it.
6: NEVER be a diva. You are just not that important and there are tons of good actors out there who would love to take your place. If you make a fuss because you can't get exactly what you want, you only create resentment among the cast and crew.
7 : Wipe your feet at the door coming into the theater and leaving the theater. Any "stuff" that is going on in your life has to be put aside the minute you enter the theater so that you can concentrate on the production. Emotional stuff that happens on stage should be left on stage. Don't take your role home with you and act it out on your family and friends.
8: ALWAYS obey to the letter the stage manager and the crew. They are there to make you look good on stage and they get none of the glory. They also know much more about the technical workings of the stage, props, etc than you do and you want them on your side at all times.
Production can be fun and rewarding if everyone involved just remembers the Golden Rule so make sure that you are one of the truly professional actors who follow these guidelines.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Committing 100% to Your Choice
I am trying to get in the habit of blogging about acting regularily. I have not been at it since August and am almost ashamed of myself.
Last night in acting class we were talking about how difficult it is to commit 100 percent to your character and your choices. It is especially hard if you don't have a director or coach. It is not only beginning actors that feel internally that they have "gone over the edge" only to have a director or coach ask for more. Two years ago I almost argued with someone who was coaching me to give more and more, but I trusted him, and when I finally got there it felt so good that I knew it was right.
Why is it so hard? Actors who are trained or in training know the dangers of OVERACTING. The dreaded feeling that you are "hamming it up" or "chewing the scenery." What is the first response to feeling that you are overacting? Pull back your character! When I coach or direct and I tell an actor to take it up a notch or two, they have to put their trust in me because they cannot see what they are doing. They can't really even see it if it is filmed, it is best to have someone directing you if you are a director/actor. When you are vulnerable, putting your faith in another person can be hard. No one wants to make a fool of themselves in front of others.
Once you have gotten to know your character and know what your character wants, it is time to decide the best way to get what you want. Many actors do great up to this point.
Next is the DELIVERY! You must deliver your character with urgency, energy, commitment, intensity, and focus. If you don't, the character will come across vague and vagueness kills good performance.
Frequently, when I tell actors to "take it up a notch", they will just get louder. It is a common misconception that loudness equals intensity. That is not necessarily the case. As you are rehearsing, take each line and make it mean something. Know how you are feeling and what you want. Then act upon the information. Put 100 percent into that action and make sure that you are 100 percent in communication with your other actors. Don't be afraid to take it over the edge and let your director or coach pull you back. Actors who are afraid of going to far rarely do.
On stage, nothing is more fun and rewarding than fully committing to your character. Have fun!
Last night in acting class we were talking about how difficult it is to commit 100 percent to your character and your choices. It is especially hard if you don't have a director or coach. It is not only beginning actors that feel internally that they have "gone over the edge" only to have a director or coach ask for more. Two years ago I almost argued with someone who was coaching me to give more and more, but I trusted him, and when I finally got there it felt so good that I knew it was right.
Why is it so hard? Actors who are trained or in training know the dangers of OVERACTING. The dreaded feeling that you are "hamming it up" or "chewing the scenery." What is the first response to feeling that you are overacting? Pull back your character! When I coach or direct and I tell an actor to take it up a notch or two, they have to put their trust in me because they cannot see what they are doing. They can't really even see it if it is filmed, it is best to have someone directing you if you are a director/actor. When you are vulnerable, putting your faith in another person can be hard. No one wants to make a fool of themselves in front of others.
Once you have gotten to know your character and know what your character wants, it is time to decide the best way to get what you want. Many actors do great up to this point.
Next is the DELIVERY! You must deliver your character with urgency, energy, commitment, intensity, and focus. If you don't, the character will come across vague and vagueness kills good performance.
Frequently, when I tell actors to "take it up a notch", they will just get louder. It is a common misconception that loudness equals intensity. That is not necessarily the case. As you are rehearsing, take each line and make it mean something. Know how you are feeling and what you want. Then act upon the information. Put 100 percent into that action and make sure that you are 100 percent in communication with your other actors. Don't be afraid to take it over the edge and let your director or coach pull you back. Actors who are afraid of going to far rarely do.
On stage, nothing is more fun and rewarding than fully committing to your character. Have fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)