Hello Everyone!

Classes are in full swing again in my lovely space.

Here’s the 5th of my ABC’s of acting inspirational thoughts.

5 | Always Be Connecting pt.2

Many actors feel challenged when they begin reading a script out loud.  This challenge makes it difficult to connect to the material. For this complex process to work, actors need training in moment-to-moment awareness of their instrument. Learning exercises that help to read and learn the lines fluidly and naturally while making connections is fundamental.  So is training in a non-intellectual, personalized analysis of the script.  
 
Most of us close off or guard intuitive reactions in daily life.  But all artists recognize that personal experiences and viewpoints are the fodder for the work.  Acting out (in a safe way) is truly the fun of acting!  Find creative ways to delve into various adjustments that are associated with the situation in the script.  Explore memories, analogous situations, reactions to people, personal imagery.  Be willing to allow raw, unguarded responses.  Keep changing it up.  Experiment with deep choices and act them all out in improvisation and with the text.  This process leads to those wonderful moments where actors are totally spontaneous: They have learned to ride waves of connection and the text is truly illuminated.
 
For these complex processes to work, actors need moment-to-moment awareness of their instrument.  They need to find ways to flow on their connections while reading and once they’ve learned the lines.
 

Viewing Suggestions

I’ve been doing a lot of research into material filmed about acting.

Jack Walzer

Dustin Hoffman based the way his character in Tootsie taught acting on this revered acting teacher.  He must be in his late-80’s/early 90’s and still teaching – a big inspiration for me!
 
You can read more about him and see videos here: www.jackwaltzer.com/jack-waltzer/

Here are some YouTube videos from that film with clips of actors like Sigourney Weaver, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall.