Auditioning Do’s and Don’ts

You might have been told what not to do in an audition. You have maybe gone to a class or read a book on the do’s and don’ts of auditioning. You might have found them very useful. I often find them very suppressive.

Acting is a crazy business. It has rules for this, rules for that. Do this, don’t do that. Everyone knows you should be “this way”. Or my all time favorite is “everyone hates it when you….” . Nothing could be further from the truth. Truth is what we are after in acting, so we should never stray from that.

This tactic of telling the actor to beware his mistake, focus on what not to do. Zone in on what he shouldn’t be doing. Concentrate on what people do as mistakes. Is probably the worst mistake anyone coach could tell you. Of course there are things that are common sense, and of course common sense is not that common at times. But you should never really focus on what you shouldn’t do. That just makes you rigid, stiff and flat.

You should solely focus on your objective. What is it I need from the other person? What and I going to do to get that objective met? What is preventing me from getting that objective? Focus on creating the environment, use a sense memory. That technique is there to help aid you in having focus on something outside of yourself. Something other than being self-conscious. Something other than what not to do. Teaching someone what not to do is just putting stops up one after another.

I have seen students ask me the simplest of questions. But in asking the question it becomes so complex and involved. WHY? Well that is because the answers that we come up with have to be authorized by the authority in the classroom. That is simply because of the with-drawl of approval, threat of judgement etc.

What you shouldn’t do in acting is focus on what not to do, but to focus on what to do!

Simon Longmore

freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

Sociology and the actor

Sociology and Acting.

I am on vacation as I am writing this. Today I was at the beach working on my tan, watching people, as I always do. In the distance I see a child playing in the water. I estimated him being about 4 years old. He was walking to the edge of the water and then when a wave came lapping against the shore he would run. He would run away and shriek in thrills of joy. Playing the game of “stay away from the waves”. He was already wet, covered in sand.

As soon as I saw this I remembered playing this game. I remember playing “stay away from the waves”. It was a simple game of tag with the ocean and the ocean was always ready to play, even when I had given up on the game and had moved onto more important things like digging a hole. I thought to myself, why did I stop? Then I asked another question. What is stopping me from doing that again?

People love children because they are innocent. At least that is what I have seen. They love that about kids, yet it is the first thing that people destroy in one another. If I started playing the game of “stay away from the waves” people would look at me with disapproving looks, perhaps a snide comment. Most likely think that I was weird.

What other people think of me is non of my business. It’s a saying I have heard before. It’s important in acting. Criticism intraverts people. It stops them from being in the moment. It prevents them from taking action because “what will people think?” “people don’t like people who behave like that son”. These are some great comments that stop you in your tracks and get you thinking. Which for an actor is deadly. Nothing kills creativity faster than a critic. Approval is a very powerful thing. If an authority figure, a parent, teacher, coach with holds approval you can really feel like an outsider. If a group starts to do, more exclusion. A lot of who we are today is because of society, because of how people treat you. Reflect on your life for a moment. Think of the school heart throb, how was he/she treated? The school jock, the oddball, the shy kid, the artist, the actor, the musician etc. Have you ever been around celebrities? I have, it’s interesting to see how people treat.

So here is an exercise for you to try. Do it anywhere, see what happens. Start treating people differently. Take actions toward them like they are the Queen of England. The next person like they are your little brother. Then next like they are the smartest person in the world. Then do the opposite. Start acting like a star, like a celebrity, like a super talent actor. See what happens. It’s an exercise in character and sociology. Fame is something that is bestowed upon you, start mocking that up. Be the source point for that, get a following and soon you’ll find yourself playing that part in that next blockbuster.

Simon Longmore

Freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

Want to know what Method Acting is?

Sometimes I get this question. Most people I meet now a days are not that familiar with the definition. So here is mine. Of course it may differ from others but here it goes.

Method Acting is an approach, a system, it’s way of a getting connected to something in your own life that is real. It was first pioneered by a Russian name Konstantin Stanislavsky. He created this approach. He found that the acting that was being performed in the day was melodramatic. Now this was around the turn of the century. Watching melodrama was not real it was contrived, water well traveled, all ready been done type of acting. Much like the stuff you see on today’s children’s programming. Stanislavsky set out to change this. In doing so he forever changed acting as we know it today.

Have you ever had a nightmare? Ever woke up in the middle of the night scarred out of your mind? Body sweating, breathing hard? Find it hard to get back to sleep? I have. I once was woken up by my girlfriend who was having a nightmare. I watched her body completely react to the imaginary fear, in this moment the penny dropped. Have you ever been in your head? You know day dreaming, thinking about this or that, then all of a sudden you realize the bus has hit your stop. That you are pulling into the parking garage. Well what you are doing is method acting, on a very small scale.

Most people use their imagination to pass the time. When you are bored or trying to kill time. In essence the things you will be thinking about, usually not the most positive, will effect your body. Have you been on the bus, subway or a line up. Have you looked at the other people. Most of them are just mindlessly thinking about this or that. Most of them are thinking about some sort of conflict that is going on in there life. Because conflict keeps us interested, just like in acting. There they are, there you are, just thinking away about how “your not gonna make it in acting”, “it’s all about your looks”, “so and so always get that part”, etc. Just think what is happening to your body. Your body starts to react to the thoughts. It starts to sweat, breathing changes, facial expressions change to grimaces etc. What you are doing is giving yourself a nightmare.

This is what Stanislavsky discovered. That the body cannot tell the difference between reality and vividly imagined circumstances. So with this key datum, the method was created. He discovered through many years of research that you can get the body to react truthfully. So he set out to create a repeatable drill, something you can do over and over again. It is these drills that compile his work.

These drills are taught over and over again in many studios through out the world. You can do them at home, in your car, any place really. There are countless books on the topic. Try them, and use what works for you.

Simon Longmore

Free video’s on acting at freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

The secret to success in acting…very simple.

Really? You have a secret….Hmmm who doesn’t. Have you ever told anyone? Does the idea of telling people something very private about yourself make you nervous. You know that deep down dark secret that you have never told anyone. Can you think of one?

How can you use this in your acting? Let me tell you. Often actors start a scene with nothing going on. Pretty much walk into the scene and I am gonna start running lines with you. That is somewhat dull to watch. You have to have a moment before. That has best been described “as a thought, an action, a line”. What most people forget to do is to have the thought. This were the secret comes in.

Look at your scene partner before you start your scene. Look them straight in the eye, don’t comment, gesture or signal the other person. Just look at them and connect to them. Once the connection is there, think of your secret. A very secret secret, the one you are most protective over. Think about telling the other actor, but don’t! This is your “thought” in the moment before. Now “the action” and then “the line”.

The train has to leave the station on the tracks. It has to! Otherwise the train never leaves the station. You have to start the scene with some emotional subtext. Something has to be going on behind the eyes, otherwise it’s dead, or worse, fake. So use your secret. Use it as a technique. I have heard of people using this in many different ways. One actress I know writes something on a note and puts it in her panties. This is so that when she goes to audition she just has to think of that note and where it is and BAM!!! She has something going on.

Nothing works like good acting!

free acting video at freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

Simon Longmore

Preparing to Audition

When you declare that you are now an Actor. It doesn’t give you license to go off beat and get all wierd on everyone. Sit in the corner act all aloof, tormented and misunderstood. I guess I am revealing a little to much about myself. Ok I admit it. When I first got into acting I behaved like that. Then I realized I was “doing” being an actor. It was B.S.

I have been in acting for many many years, most of my life actually. I am thankful for that. However I have pretty much seen it all. Well actually done it all. What I mean by that is all the wrong things! When you are getting ready to do an audition, prepare yourself properly. Do your homework, text analysis, characterization, voice work etc. Do that in the waiting room. Don’t shoot the breeze with other actors. That only weakens you. Stay focused. Once you walk into that audition room your “on”.

You have to be charged up when your about to perform. The train has to leave the station on the tracks. It does not get on the tracks a minute into it’s journey. So when you are in the audition room, slate and then take about 7-10 seconds to get yourself back in the zone. Stop what you are doing right now and watch the clock for 10 seconds. It’s a long time. If you take 2 minutes to get in the zone. Lie on the floor, do breathing exercises, ask for a water, you are making yourself look like a complete amatuer. There are better ways to let people know your a beginner.

All that prep should be done in the classroom, waiting room. Your audition is your time to shine. It is the time for you to thrown down! It is one of the most intimidating places for an actor, sterile and unwelcoming. You have to be stronger than that. You have to be prepared to perform in a few seconds. If you can’t do that right now, keep working on it. You will, that is the standard for today’s film and tv world. It is fast paced, be ready. Don’t indulge, don’t be weird and flaky. Be a pro, be booked and be seen on tv. Be an actor!

Simon Longmore

free audition videos freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

So your camera shy huh?

Being camera shy sucks, being an actor and camera shy is a tough combination. You have to get over the idea of the camera being something negative. Most people shy away from it because they feel that they will not be showing thier best. Perhaps that they will look ugly, stupid, fat or just plain. Whatever it is, if you want to be an actor you have to overcome camera shyness.

Here is a couple good concepts to work with. First the camera is just a piece of glass, metal, plastic and electronics. Nothing to fear. Also it is your friend, not your enemy. Most people who get into acting have been around a video camera. What do you usually look like? “Oh look there I am”, Christmas tree in the background, a lamp, “ummm I look blotchy”. You know the drill. Most people are shot with a hand held camera in poor lighting conditions.

Start working with the camera. Use some film making concepts on how to shoot. Master, medium and close shot. Get used to it. See what works and what doesn’t. Camera’s are everywhere now a days, in my computer, my phone. No need to be shy of one. Turn it on and use it.

Once you have started using a camera, acting in front of it, study a little bit about lighting. Make sure the lights are behind the camera. Try some angles, see what works. Once you have done this for a while you can work up to get professional headshots done.

Getting your headshots done is a great time. Usually the shooter will let you get totally self indulgent. Get comfortable in front of the lens, you can pose, gesture and make sexy faces whatever you want. It’s your session. Afterwards you can get a chance to see what you look like with professional lighting, make up, composition etc. This is closer to what you will look like on a film camera.

This article was inspired by a great story. A navy Captain had a crew on his P.T. Boat. There were somewhat nervous about firing the gun. They were slow and cautious and in WWII that could prove to be deadly. So the Captain had them stand in a circle and toss the shells back and forth to each other. They did this until each man became accustom to handling a gun shell. Hence the speed to which they could load and fire the weapon increased and greater their chance for survival.

Why not do the same with a camera? No point in being gun shy if you wanna be an actor.

Simon Longmore

free acting videos at freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

Subjective vs Objective

One of my all time pet peeves is the actor who is too rigid to take direction. First off, your job as an actor is to serve the story, secondly to serve the director and his vision, lastly to the character. If you noticed, your ego is not on that list.

When is the time to be subjective and objective? When you get a direction or a critique from a coach, agent, casting director, director etc. Subjectivity need not apply. What do I mean by this? I know…you think everyone is against you and your choices as an artist. Uhhh no! If that was true you would not be working. What everyone is trying to do is tell the story, for that ultimately is what acting is. If you become subjective and get a bruised ego by getting a direction or told to stop and restart, you need to mature a bit. Mature as an actor.

In the book “In rehearsal with Stanislavski” there is a chapter about an actor who, at the time, was very successful. He was invited to be a part of the play that Stanislavsky was directing with the Moscow Theatre Arts Company. He entered the scene and delivered one line and was asked to stop and restart. He did so, then he was asked again to stop and restart. Then yet again, and again and again. I have to remind you that the actor was very successful, actually famous. He was holding up the entire company, just so he could get his entrance right. This went on for 4 hours. If I was to do that in one of my classes I would have a mutiny.

Stansilavsky set the bar for all other to start at. He made it real, organic and human. He pioneered many concepts and ideas that still exist today. As a mature actor, as some one who can honestly take in comments, directions and evaluations, you are no longer subjective. The reason it took 4 hours is because the actor was not subjective enough. Rather he was objectively trying to be subjective, which is insane.

If you can look at your film work and look at it objectively, look for the things you did right. Look for the things that were not honest, that you pushed, forced or “phoned in”. When you can do that you are really started to get good at this thing called acting.

Subjectivity belongs in the scene. It should be your viewpoint when your “in” the work. Objective is for afterwards. What is most common is the reverse. During your scene focus on your personalizations, blocking and motivation. When it is all said and done, then become objective.

Simon Longmore

free on-line video’s @ freeactingtips.net

vadastudios.com

How to over come stage fright

It has been one of the biggest obstacles in acting for a long time. Stage fright sucks, because it robs you of a lot of qualities. First lets look at what it is. To me it is when an actor intraverts before, during or after his performance. The artist simply cannot concentrate on what he/ his character is to be doing and becomes solely focused on what he (the actor) is doing, looking like, sounding, appearing, what everyone is thinking etc.

What soon ensues is a case of nerves and to many different degrees anxiety. So how does one overcome anxiety and replace it with confidence, ability, creativity? This is what I suggest you do, freak out. Just let that shit happen. Whoa whoa, who is this guys, what is this all about, you ask? Let me fill you in on what is really going down with stage fright.

You can only feel one emotion at a time. What most actors do when the feel nervous is try and supress it. That is your 1st mistake. Anxiety is energy, that same energy you cry with, rage with, and laugh with. It is just that at this point in your career you are feeling nervous. And to be totally honest who cares? Pretty much you and only you. I audition people all the time and yes they are visably nervous. I see it, casting people see it, agents see it. Just chill it is nothing to be ashamed of. This is the actors first major mistake.

Feel the nerves and let it show, feel it and say your lines, just let the feeling happen. Get comfortable feeling nevrvous. As an actor you have to get comfortable feeling and feeling strong emotions and staying focused. Focused enough to follow your blocking, to work with the camera, find your light, say your lines, etc. It is a high wire act, if you try to supress your emotions and play another emotion over top of it, it will come off as forced and unreal. Quit doing that, no one is buying it so quit trying to sell it.

Once you can actually feel anxiety and release it you will be able then to do other personalizations or sense memories. Those awkward emotions will eventually fade. When that time comes, after much practice for some, you can then connect to your energy again and direct it as you see fit. It can be channeled into what ever emotion you chose. Now you can be accessing all of that brilliant creativity.

In summary stage fright is you doing a personalization of you failing. Knock that off! It doesn’t help you with your objective, being a working actor.

Simon Longmore

free videos on acting @ Freeactingtips.net

The journey of an actor

We all must journey to an end, but in the end it is how you journey to that end that matters most. I was at dinner tonight with some collegues, chit chatting about this and that. I mentioned I still took classes. This comment was met with apprehension and shocked looks. I was a bit baffled, so I inquired. My friends told me they were all quite suprized that I still took acting classes. We discussed this in detail.

An actor is much like an athlete. You simply cannot just work out get fit and expect to be that way for the rest of your life. To think that would be foolish, but for some reason people feel actors can. I am not one of those people. I work on my acting every day. It may not be in the form of a performance, it could be a simple blog about acting, it could be anything. I do something about acting every day. Acting for me is about awareness, it is about being with your perceptions. It is about being alive, living, breathing and not lost in your daily mind numbing thoughts. Of course I take a class, I have to, otherwise you lose what you do not use.

I owe everything to acting. I have a business because of it, a nice house, money, a dog, a beautiful finacee, a sports car, opportunities each week to act, I have wonderful friends, robust life experiences, all because of acting. I love acting and I have dedicated my life to the art, it has rewarded me for that commitment. Acting is a journey, one like no other. We all must journey towards an end but in the end it how you journey toward that end that matters most. I heard that quote years ago and it has always stuck with me.

Simon Longmore

Freeactingtips.net

Total Control

As an actor you need to be in total control at all times.  You need to understand what are the elements of yourself that you need to change and modify so that you can clearly communicate your choices.  For that is what acting is: Communication.  A lot of people might not know that, but it is true.  Your job as an actor is to communicate, however when you act your habits maybe present.  If so, then there are things being communicated to the audience that you are not aware of.  Some common examples are head flicks, speaking up at the end of a line, pursing your lips, standing in a way that is too casual for the character you are playing.  These are just a couple of example of not being in control.  If you are trying to be a powerful character and your body is all slack, and casual, then you are sending out mixed messages.  If you are trying to play someone who is adult and dealing with a serious situation and at the end of every line your voice goes up.  Then that message is that of a little girl.

Here is where you need to be in control.  Now understand I am not trying to change you, just your acting.  Your awareness of what the camera/ auditioners are seeing is very important.  If you have not trained enough or worked enough with someone who can spot these traits, you need to. Otherwise you are mostly sending mixed messages.  What that does is it reduces your chances for success.  So get into class and knock off those bad habits.

Simon Longmore

Freeactingtips.net