Wednesday, 23 November 2016

So, You Want To Be An Actor-But Acting Isn't For You

How Can You Be An Actor Without Learning These World's 6 Best Techniques? 

The best 6 acting techniques to learn
The best 6 acting techniques to learn


Warning! Only for earnestly focused actors


Acting



  • Acting is a skill, therefore there must be some sort of method behind it! Then, anyone who has studied acting learns that this “method” actually refers to about six different major acting techniques and that actors are meant to figure out  which works best for them. There are more than 6 acting techniques I have mentioned below. Learning different techniques looks like an obvious and straightforward approach to the art of acting but let me warn you it can instantly turn into a daunting, confusing, and consuming task.

  • However, speaking from a young actor’s point of view, it is not as bad as it may seem. The process of discovering which acting technique suits you best, partly or none can be challenging; but it can also be an amazing opportunity to discover "self"-what's your type, style and your inhibitions which could be extremely rewarding.

  • The first thing anyone needs to know is that this “method acting” of which every acting teacher speaks, was originally developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. Stanislavsky was a Russian actor, director, and mentor who lived from 1863-1938. He was the first man to propose the idea that there was a step by step, calculated process to the art of acting. It is the process of  living truthfully in an imaginary circumstance, as developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. Through the years , however, this original method has been changed and adapted by practicing actors and teachers and from it has branched the six major techniques. Nonetheless, to understand any technique, you must understand where it originated, and that origin is Stanislavsky’s method.


1. The Stanislavsky System


Much of the Stanislavsky system revolved around the script itself. Stanislavsky believed that by breaking down the script you could further understand the character and the emotional qualities would evolve through this process. He said that-

  • The first thing needed to developing a character was to identify the characters super-objective. This is the overall goal that the character wants to achieve.
  • The next step would be to identify the obstacles or the things that can prevent the character from achieving his/her goal.
  • Third would be to identify the tools or methods used to overcome these obstacles.
  • Finally, the script would then typically be broken down into units and bits. These are small objectives and methods used to reach the overall goal; bits make up the units, and the units make up the whole. Lastly, one would define actions for each line. These are identified through action verbs so there is a clear focus on what the goal is line by line.


2. The Chekhov Technique


(Personally, I swear by this technique)


  • In our fast-moving film, television, and theater industry, we actors are continually asked for "quick results." 
  • We must be emotionally available, learn our lines rapidly, and fill our characters with the objectives and desires of a multilayered human being—all without much preparation time. 
  • Now more than ever, the deciding factor in a successful audition or performance is the actor's ability to call upon focused inspiration at a moment's notice. 
  • After all, inspiration leads to real, organic, surprising, fresh performances. 
  • How is such focused inspiration readily achieved? It was Michael Chekhov's lifelong endeavor to answer this question.


Mikhail Chekhov worked very closely with Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theatre. He is considered to be Stanislavsky's greatest pupil, however, his approach to acting is inherently different. I as an actor and an acting coach found it is both extremely rewarding but hard to explain.

The Chekhov Technique revolves around the use of the imagination and the actor’s physical connection to his imagination, his intuition, and mind as one whole, cooperative unit. Perhaps the most important detail in this technique is the use of the imagination. The actor must be able to imagine great images and sensations within himself and his surroundings and be able to immerse himself in these imaginings to perform any of this acting method.

Rather than going into the details, I have summarized his technique in a simple way for everybody to understand. I apologize to all Chekhov experts if they feel I'm diluting what Michael Chekhov, the Great Teacher stood for.


The Technique


A deep and elaborate analysis of a script and the character has to be made by an actor.
To practice and apply Chekhov technique, an actor should have
A well-developed power of imagination
Good emotional sensitivity and an ability to create an imaginary center in the chest, a source which receives and generates physical and emotional responses to external stimuli (situations in life and in a script as the story unfolds)
To identify and aware of an actor's own physical and mental essence, set of his /her physical and emotions actions (archetype) to situations
Learn and practice physical (Body) and Psychological Gesture (Mind-PG) To free your body and mind to be an empty glass. This will help an actor to transform into and adopt a character's physical gesture while exhibiting similar emotional responses as that of a character.
In summary, in Chekhov technique, the actor physicalizes a character’s need (with imagination, felt and generated by the center in the chest) or internal dynamic in the form of an external gesture.

Benefits of Learning Michael Chekhov Technique


The actor's ability to get focused inspiration at a moment's notice for a successful audition or performance . After all, inspiration leads to real, organic, surprising, fresh performances.

3. The Meisner Technique


Sanford Meisner, the founder of the technique, defines acting as "living (or doing) truthfully under imaginary circumstances". A lot of people think of Meisner as 'repetition technique' exercises, but that is only its most basic form. What the technique really stresses is the reality of doing. Emotion, Meisner teachers believe, is brought to the surface through the action. Because acting is, essentially, performing a series of actions, the Meisner technique stresses the importance of putting your all into those actions. Listening and responding truthfully to what your acting partner is saying fall under the category of active doing. To build characters from that place of truthful response. It's listening and listening carefully and responding to doing


4. The Stella Adler Technique


Stella Adler was an actress who studied under Stanislavsky. However, Adler did not believe, like Stanislavsky had, that an actor needed to relive past experiences to connect to the play. She developed her own method in which the major belief was that an actor had to rely on his/her imagination to fully believe in the circumstances of the play. Adler believed that acting is doing and that you must constantly be performing an action and in doing so, find a conflict in this action. Every action done must have justification.

5. The Uta Hagan Method.


Much of Hagan’s approach revolves around specialized exercises to improve behavior in a given circumstance. Another thing we focused on was “the moment before,” in which we would have to identify specifically what happened before the moment the scene began and consider how this would affect us at the start of the present scene. An exercise used to explore this is one known as “Three Entrances” in which a student comes through a door three separate times, each time using a different moment before. After entering through the door the student would only react to that moment before- the moment unseen- and then the exercise would end.
Utah Hagan also used Stanislavsky’s approach to breaking down the script and applied the “as if” technique as well.

6. Viola Spolin


Viola Spolin’s “theater games” approach inspires students to respond immediately and live in the moment. Her technique focuses on self-direction and improvisation, and she’s considered a driving force of improv as we know it in the United States.

The Other techniques, the discussion of which in detail are beyond the scope of this post are:


The Suzuki Method: 
Suzuki is a Japanese movement technique designed within their bodies to portray the characters. The exercises are extremely taxing on the lower body.

The Linklater Technique: 
The focus is on voice, being an important factor in a convincible performance.

The Alexander Technique: 
It is a method that empowers the actor to become aware of the physical habits that impede performance and to transform those habits thus improving breathing coordination and vocal production, facilitating the creation of the physical life of characters with ease and allowing fuller emotional expression.

Okay, so now you know a little bit about the major acting techniques but are you getting confused? How to select the best which suits me?

Recommendations


  1. There is no better resource to learn acting than your “Own-self”. Why? Because of The very nature of the art is interactive - not just reading , memorizing, mimicking or copying like in a physics or history class with a large group of students. Then, don't forget, you are unique with no second "You" in the world. So, you need is what suits you best 
  2. The acting schools or acting coaches give great material, can be the facilitator to help you learn acting techniques, motivate, initialize response and make you practice
  3. Having helped several up and coming young actors I would recommend a video camera to self-tape on a weekly basis. Ask a friend to play casting director, find a variety of scenes from produced scripts online. Practice, practice, practice. Research, research, research your part. Get more and more comfortable in front of a camera. Find someone to give you expert critiques so you can hone your craft. Source


How to develop your own acting style?


Steps:

1. Develop the power of imagination and dreaming
2. Focus on observation and concentration:
-Visit public places like the garden, railway stations, zoo, museums etc and observe  people closely notes their physical profile.  Then create the story on them (their house, family, conflicts ,profession etc). Become a part of the story. Come home and practice
- Play word game- write any 10 words on a piece of paper, close your eyes and put finger on any word. Create a story on that word and deliver and act that story with action in front of a mirror or to a friend
3.  Watch animals or anything and create a story
4. Go on practicing physical and mental exercises you have learned from your acting coach
5. Focus on improvisation (Improv-enacting a scene without any written script) and practice

Related post




Monday, 21 November 2016

What should be your acting technique?



What should be your acting technique?
Legendary Teacher Stanislavsky and Greatest Bruce Lee


Before learning and practicing different acting technique, know the TRUTH about acting techniques


What’s The Ultimate And Best Acting Method?


These are my well-tested views based on long experience as an actor and as an acting coach

“Create your own method. Don’t depend slavishly on mine. Makeup something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you”~Konstantin Stanislavsky

Without a doubt, the absolute best acting method is the one that produces the results that the director needs.
A fusion (combining different styles) approach is probably the one that is most likely to serve your needs. However, it’s important that this hybrid method is not just a hodge-podge pick ‘n’ mix of random techniques that you like, it’s things that are tried and tested ‘in battle’ and deliver tremendous results.

As the actor Bruce Lee once said, “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless".

I have pretty strong beliefs on acting. I think I teach a technique suited to an archetype (a typical example) of an individual student that works incredibly well. But I cannot change the fact that different methods suit different personalities. And if you can’t get out of your own way, then no acting method can help, and you’ll just go on an endless tour of acting classes or acting coaches looking for the answer to a problem the answer of which is inside you.

I believe any technique that gives you access to unrestrained creativity, that raises your self-awareness, that helps you build confidence and trust yourself works. And these are such personal, individual things – and that’s why different acting techniques and methods suit different people.

What is technique? 


It’s something to help you move between where you are and where you want to be. Acting technique is something to employ when your current skills and abilities can’t get you there.  The absolute best acting method is the one that does just that – it shortens the gap between your performance goal in a scene and where you are now. Between the performance, you’re giving, and the performance you want.

The Method, Meisner Technique, Viewpoints, Lecoq, Grotowski, PEM, Practical Aesthetics, Suzuki, Mindset Acting Technique – it really doesn’t matter what you call it. It has to bring you the results you need.
We shall be discussing these techniques in the next post
 (Join us to learn these techniques)

Use anything that works, but do not hold it so tight that you would lose your flexibility, nor too loose that it would fly from your hand when tested.
Source



Sunday, 20 November 2016

What Are 9 Emotions And 42 Attitudes And How To Play


How actors to play different emotions and attitudes
Emotions and Attitudes

  • Are you serious being a great  actor and know the technique of how to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances created in the script?
  • Can you portray all types of  people with different attitudes you see around?
  • Can you display different types of emotions, instantly?


Remember, Emotions Affect Attitudes and Behaviors of a character in a script

The simple solution is to develop the power of imagination and transformation into a new life called "A Character"

Dialogues in a script, creating imagined thoughts

How to imagine and create emotions from a scripts
How to imagine and create emotions from the script



How to plan and prepare!


1. Develop a strong habit of "observation" and concentration of watching people keenly say on the road, bust stand, garden, shops. Note emotions and attitudes exhibited.
2. Note down or record on mobile such observation
3. Maintain a mental data bank by practicing what you have observed
4. When the need arises to create a character from a script,  imagine "IF I AM THAT PERSON" how will I behave?

Below are the various emotions and attitudes. You must understand each and practice.


Which are 9 Emotions?


1. Comedy


Which produces laughter, makes people happy and gives pleasure. In emotions which are comical, everything is at a higher level, faster and illogical. The bizarre, unexpected and opposite responses could be funny. You need a presence of mind and great timing to play comedy!

2. Astonishment (Wonderment)


An expressive reaction of wonder, magic, space falling, unusual sighting in the sky and  astonishing thoughts. Exhibited by popping eyes, raised eyebrows and open mouth

3. Disgust


Emotions due to seeing something dirty, hearing dirty or smelling dirty.
For example, irritating man, subject, story or some foul thing

4. Fear


Emotions due to some frightful happening, seeing blood, visiting a burial ground in the night, a sudden frightful sound in a silent night or someone approaching to kill you


5. Peace/ tranquility


The character of a priest, Pujari or a saint, visiting a temple or a church, giving sermons.
A man or a woman with a tranquil voice and smooth and deliberate gestures


6. Love


A person with twinkling eyes, lost and not in the "present', talking to a person, but doesn't know what she/he is talking about with wife, girlfriend or we can call it "a lover's love". The others are for the mother, daughter, brother's son and so on. In each, the emotions would be different. The basic difference is - one could be called as "love" and the other could be emotions of "affection" or "attachment"- a love which is brotherly, motherly, fatherly  or even friendly

7. Sad


Death, broken love, failed in an audition or examination.
Remember that in emotions emerging out of this situation the tempo rhythm goes down. Reactions are slow

8. Brave


Shows enthusiasm, a daring, and a positive attitude. The tempo, rhythm accelerates e.g. Army officer, leader, police


9. Anger


A heightened emotion and consequent reaction e.g. If you are cheated, somebody abuses you,
People playing dirty with you. Tempo rhythm increases

Which are 42 Attitudes? 


1. Aggressive (pushing type)
2. Anxious
3. Arrogant
4. Shy
5. Confident
6. Fed up
7. Curious
8. Determined
9. Disapproving
10. Jealous
11. Dejected
12. Happy
13. Horrified
14. Hurt (physically or mentally)
15. Indifferent
16. Foolish
17. Innocent
18. Interested
19. Lonely
20. Meditative
21. Miserable
22. Obstinate
23. Optimistic
24. Puzzled
25. Regretful
26. Relieved
27. Sheepish
28. Looking suspenseful
29. Suspicious
30. Sympathetic
31. Indecisive
32. Ambitious
33. Irritating
34. Easy going
35. Imaginative
36. Humorous
37. Affectionate
38. Defeated
39. Drunk
40. Sleepy
41. Stiff neck
42. Bored

Good Luck!

You may contact us if you have any difficulty in learning and practicing these emotions and attitudes




Sunday, 13 November 2016

Confused? 13 Easy Tips To Follow To Become A Good Actor


How to be a good actor
How to be a good actor


Don't just dream to be an actor and jump into the ruthless film and TV world


1. Start taking training and don't stop no matter how good you think you are or how good others tell you are, so that when you do put yourself up in front of the right people, you will be ready! Join a good school or preferably, hire an acting coach in the beginning who will focus on you alone.

2.
Research and research...Study Film and TV or commercial production industry.
Find out how it works. Find out who are casting actors, agents, and  what casting directors, coordinators look for in an actor, what the unions do, what the current trends and competition are in the industry, etc.

3.
Don't jump for any audition whether or not you meet the requirement of a "character" auditioners are looking for. It may lead to your being rejected. This is a concept you need to be familiar with! It will help you direction in  your marketing efforts.

4. Get into your head once for all that acting is a business like any other. Therefore, learn the basic business, networking, and self-promotional skills. So important! You need to make sure you stand out from everyone else. You need to be extremely persistent as well!

5. Get a portfolio made. Your headshot and other pictures exactly show who you are. No tempering to look great!

6. Learn how to audition. Auditioning and acting on set are two different beasts. Auditioning is like getting an entry ticket. It's completely different from the rest of the game.

7. Surround yourself with people who are already doing what you want and NOT with people who are trying to get what you want. You are more likely to learn from people who are already doing what you want to do. So go find them and learn from them!

8. Talk to both working actors, A: who is making a living from acting as well as.  B: to aspiring actors who have been talking a lot over the past couple of years and really haven't done very much. You can learn from both groups! From one you learn what to do. From the other, you will learn how NOT to be.

9. Stay curious and never ever think you know it all. Be good and humble. You can always get better, whether in your acting technique, auditioning, sharpening your monologue delivery, on-camera technique, learning about the industry or whatever. Never, never stop learning! Continue getting retrained from your acting coach

10. Once you start to achieve some success, help others who are in the same position you were once. You'll see that it will pay off.

11. At some point during all this, you should ask yourself (and be honest) if you really, honestly and truly have the passion for acting to DO WHAT IS NECESSARY to succeed. Without that passion much will be lost and it will be difficult for you to achieve the success you desire. And what's more, you probably won't be very happy.

12 Get registered with a good agent or with top casting directors / artist coordinators. Learn from their knowledge and experience. Follow them regularly for auditions

13. Finally, in your journey, there will be periods of considerable financial instability. Have you planned finances for the sufficient period of time? If not, then this could be a bottleneck to your long struggle.
Source


Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Acting Skills Needed | Acting School Or A Coach? Pick


Skills needed for actors | Schools or an acting coach? Choice

What Special Skills Should Every Aspiring Actor Have?


Acting is a very specialized profession, and it typically requires a number of special skills.


 Memorization:


A  good memory, for instance, is one of the greatest skills that any actor can have. If acting facing a live audience, such as in a stand-up comedy or theater, actors must be able to memorize all of their lines. Movie and film actors should also be able to memorize
NOT ONLY their lines, but also of their partners as well.

Transformation


Aspiring actors should also be able to easily transform and portray a character’s emotions and personality. For example, they should be able to make others truly believe that they are the character that they portray.


Online Research Ability


Research skills are also excellent for any actor to have. These will often come in handy when researching an upcoming role in an audition, such as for a historic character.
Ability to Work Hard
Actors should also be able and willing to work hard. Before a production, actors will typically spend long hours studying a script and practicing their lines. Movie an film actor will  need to be available to work at nearly any hour of the day in any sort of weather. Some physical stunts are also required as well.

Excellent Acting Ability


Now we come to one of the most important questions- 
Should Actors Get Trained in A school Or By A Coach?


Acting Schools vs. Acting Coaches?


The right teacher whether in a class or as a private tutor can make all the difference in fulfilling your dreams to be a Bollywood Star and can provide valuable contacts and skills that will help along the way.
Acting is a specialized type of performing arts, and it generally requires a great amount of skill. Although some actors are naturally talented, it often takes some type of formal training to get the most out of these talents. Because of this, many aspiring actors choose to attend performing arts or acting schools or hire an acting coach or a mentor.


Acting Schools


1. They give you a base (a platform) to work from.
2. They give you various acting techniques that you can fall back on and recreate time after time in different situations.
3. Taking acting classes will enable you to see the other actors work, which in itself is invaluable!
4. You will see how other actors overcome some of their own issues while acting and interpreting their roles.
5. If you have a good teacher (hopefully) and can give you sufficient time individually, he can give you good, constructive and personal feedback to help you improve your craft.
6. They will give you a sense of community (colleagues) so that you know you are not alone in your quest to become an actor.
7. They will give you a group of people with whom you can exchange ideas and to whom you can ask questions and share. This group of your co-learners will help you to develop networks and information about the film industry like auditions, director and casting directors
8. If you have a good acting teacher who is known and respected in the industry, you could gain (in him/her) an ally who might help promote you, get you auditions or help you work to get seen by the right people!

Acting Coach


1. A good coach can give you a sufficient amount of time needed for you to learn or fix problems
2. A coach can create and give you solid acting techniques, based on your individual emotional, mental and physical built up that you can fall back on and recreate time after time in different situations.
3. He can help you to be able to access your emotions and learn methods to control and alter it.
4. Can create methods for quick memorization of your lines/ script
5. Can help you to see where you need to improve.
6. Can give you good, constructive and personal feedback to help you improve your craft.
7. He can make you more comfortable while performing.
8. The most important- will guide and create a marketing strategy like your website, social networking on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, for you to succeed. Will guide you on how and where to go for making your portfolio and show reel.
9. Will design a career plan suited to you and guide you on its implementation
Finally, an acting coach could be economical.


Discussion


Although, acting schools cannot design a program on an individual basis, and cannot devote hours separately to each student, the success at school will depend on the quality of faculty. The schools are a good source for learning and working in a group with other students with distinct advantages. Secondly, these schools could be a good source for networking and getting information about auditions, castings, and industry.
Whereas, with an acting coach, as each individual is different and unique, each aspiring or even experienced male or female actor can learn and develop amazingly well with an individual coaching. A coach is your mentor and a friend who walks with you to help you to win as it is in the case of a sports coach. You can share your problems, worries and fix them without any fear of a crowd around. The coach may understand your psyche and can design a learning program. You may terminate an acting coach contract after the period or may continue seeking his/her guidance for a long period.

Conclusion


1. Taking into account that acting school courses may range from a few months to a few years with the fees from Rs 50,000 to 9 Lacks, I would recommend:
2. The beginners may join an acting coach for an individual, personalized and focused attention. Or both together if they can afford.
3. Experienced and working actors but not trained formally may join a good acting school. They may hire an acting coach for a specific objective like how to act with a group (a scene with multiple characters), how to excel in auditions, portraying emotions or how to develop the power of Imagination and transform instantly into a different life (Character)
Based on http://bestactoracademy.blogspot.com


Monday, 7 November 2016

Joining Acting Schools? Don't Throw Money | Learn How To Select


Al Pacino in one of the best acting school-NYFA
One of the Top International actor Al Pacino in one of the best acting school-NYFA



Before You Jump And Throw Money, Remember:



  • An acting school / institute can train you in an acting craft and help you as a catalyst. However, do not be under this false hope that they can give you acting jobs.
  • Film or  TV episodic  or even commercial ads and documentaries sometimes require huge investments of millions of Dollars and under no circumstances, they can compromise with the characters of their story and be foolish to take actors based on recommendations or on any other considerations. In any good production house or any reputed casting director’s auditions, the selection is based solely on merit and how best and closely you transform into the story’s character among hundreds of other applicants. How can they risk and compromise production’s success factors ? No way!
  • It is a large number of cheaters and fraudsters who throw baits to young aspiring and innocent actors who fall prey to such alluring offers due to their desperate dreams to be an actor at any cost.


Some of the important feature that you must look for while selecting the right cinema school or mass communication institute or a radio and tv school.

Infrastructure


It is always good to enroll yourself at a film school that has facilities like the studios, preview center, post-production labs and other facilities. You must also take notice of the fact that the facilities are up to the mark and meet the standards of professional works.

Training Procedure


You should carefully study the training procedures of the film or journalism schools. Preference should always be given to the institutes with more practical oriented training procedures. Especially while selecting among the digital film schools you should look for the digital equipment of latest technology.

Industry Exposure


One of the aspects that are instrumental in shaping your career as a filmmaker or media professional is the exposure to the industry. More and more faculties and counselors from the industry mean more industry exposure. You not only gain from their experience but also build up contacts, which prove to be beneficial in the future.

Cost


Cost is obviously a great concern in the film and television training. Though it is a very expensive field of study, still you must find out the best things and in less price. In respect to the international film schools you get relatively cheaper but quality film education in India.

Before you choose an acting school, go through these steps and then ask discretely the following questions to the concerned  people at the establishment.

Four Important Steps


  1. Do a proper online research on the school / institute. Look for reviews
  2. Ask questions under comments in acting blogs and websites on schools. Read comments of other aspiring actors related to schools
  3. Keep in mind you are joining an acting school and not a school to learn physics or history or French. Acting is a fine art and a game of emotions, reactions and portraying different life than yours. Every actor response to learning acting differs. Some transform quickly while others take time ( Like suddenly crying, fear, instant comedy etc). Be careful if a class has too many students. Though good for scene enacting and group practice, a class with 10 or 20 students may be counter-productive for many beginners.
  4. Then visit schools /institutes personally and be a detective. Ask discretely on a suggested pattern questions. The best source could be student counselors (If they have one) or another way is to be pally with receptionists ( I call them ‘gatekeepers’).  It is important to go through the facilities of a number of film schools and journalism schools so that you can get the best of the training because it is the most vital step to launch your career in Bollywood / Hollywood or other forms of media.


A. Who is the teaching faculty? Their background (their films etc) eg director, producer, 
cinematographer, production, actor etc. and their reputation as A TEACHER / COACH?

B. How much time they devote to training? 1 hour, 3 hours each day when classes are held?

C. How many students are in a class and what’s the time duration of each class eg 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or more? Calculate how much time each student gets to learn.

D. What's the syllabus? Is it individualized? (I don’t think they have sufficient time to do this).
What do they teach under acting for a camera?

E. What if you need help after passing out for a school? Like audition sources, production houses, casting directors etc.

F. What’s the fee and duration? If it’s high eg 2 Lakhs or 9 Lakhs then why? What extra or good they provide which others don’t offer?

G. Do they have weekend classes? (For working actors)

Top 12 International Acting Schools In The World


1. Juilliard School, New York City
2. Yale School of Drama, New Haven
3. Oxford School of Drama, Woodstock
4. National School of Drama, Delhi
5. Carnegie Mellon School, Pittsburg
6. Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London
7. DePaul University, Chicago
8. The Actors Studio, New York City
9. Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London
10. National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kensington, Sydney, Australia 
11. New York Film Academy, New York City, New York · Manhattan (Branch in Mumbai also)
12. Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International, Mumbai (Reported fee: Rs. 9 Lakhs. Check current status) 



Wednesday, 2 November 2016

5 Logical Reasons | Why Every Actor Should Take Yoga


Yoga exercises for actors to improve acting performance
Yoga exercises for actors to improve acting performance

How To resolve Actor's Dilemma of Audition and On Camera Scene Filming Performance Problems


Tension,  Anxiety, Fear, Nervousness, Dryness of mouth, trembling of hands, Forgetting lines, Breathlessness, Bad Dialog Delivery


Single solution to an actor's poor performance

 

An actor should develop a regular yoga practice.







Fact 1.


Yoga helps the body and its muscles to respond with my emotions to enlighten acting performance

It's like practicing something since childhood, for example, a particular sport, game, hobby or the habit of daily rituals using different parts of our body. As we do these things repeatedly, it becomes our habit and we don't have to think or make a conscious effort to do it. The habit then becomes a natural reactive response to a stimulus
Yoga works the same way. By different yoga exercises, the muscles of different parts of our body starting from forehead to toe becomes free and respond automatically and instantly accompanying  our actions. So, when an actor walks into an audition, his/her performance is a response from his/her entire acting instrument ie body and mind rather than from just a part of the acting instrument

Fact 2. 


Yoga helps my brain care less

As an actor, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be in a character of the story/ script. Our minds get clogged. We try hard to perform well  worrying whether or not we would get the role. This may chain us to our thoughts and anxiety. Specific yoga exercises for actors relaxes calms our minds and  helps them let go of the person they think they're supposed to be. Then they can focus on and love who they are. This lets them work from the beginning up and be creative instead of having their head in the clouds.

Fact 3.


Yoga helps to breathe correctly to relax and create a confidence minutes before audition

Before an audition or while filming a scene, many actors feel forced faster breathing full of anxiety. This results in a poor dialog delivery or breaking of a long emotional dialog with pauses when it should not be.  Yoga gives them tools to work with their breath that acting classes never have. It’s so powerful to realize when you feel a normal relaxed breathing. A normal breathing helps actors to use the full potential of their voice and deliver dialog powerfully without any interruptions.


Fact 4. 


Yoga reminds me acting is a practice

Yoga has played a huge role in a number of cultures for thousands of years. It doesn’t belong to anyone and it deserves our respect. It makes us realize that if you practice anything (of course, “good”) regularly, it becomes our habit. This learned knowledge from Yoga will always remind
us to continue practicing acting craft till we die!
We can do this by regularly taking refresher courses in acting schools, with our acting coach or participating in various acting workshops
If I want to deepen my yoga practice I have to make it a necessity to my daily life. Now reread this little blurb and replace “yoga” with acting/performance.

Fact 5. 


Yoga helps me give thanks for my acting abilities and practice

At the end of each yoga practice, I would suggest a little prayer to yourself thanking the universe for giving me the opportunity to do yoga. Please carry this Thanking Yoga habit after exercise and especially  before every performance or class.  Close your eyes for  a second and give thanks to Yoga for the opportunity to experience my acting art. It feels good to be grateful for things that help you feel good!

(Click to know the steps in each pose)


Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Wanna A Top Body To Enter Films? 1 Exercise 4 Minutes 1 Month


Indian Star Actor Hrithik Roshan In a Plank Workout With His Mother Pinky
Bollywood Star Actor Hrithik Roshan In a 'Plank Workout' With His Mother, Pinky

  • Do You have A Poor Body  And A Sick Look?
  • Poor Confidence?
  • Apprehensive Of Audition Rejections?
  • Are You Meeting One Of The Prime Success Requirements For An Actor-
"A Good Body"?
  • Can't Meet Big Fees Of Top Gyms?
  • No?
 I can Understand Your Difficulty


Don't Worry. I Have A Secret Tested Simple Formula-A Solution For Your Plight

No Gym! No Expensive Tools! No Big Space, Indoor or Outdoor! Quick Results 


This Is All It Will Take To Transform You To Be A Hunk Or A Hot Sexy Actor!


4 Minutes A Day For 30 Days! 




Before I reveal the secret and the importance of “Plank Exercises” for an actor, the truth of the matter is that in order to have a perfectly sculpted body, you need to get your food intake under control and exercise.
Spend more calories than you take in every single day. 

But one exercise stands out from the rest

The Humble Plank


What is a Plank Exercise?


Look the position, in the picture,  below

A Plank Exercise Pose
A Plank Exercise Pose

Planking (Keeping your body just like a straight wooden board) is a simple but effective body weight exercise. Holding the body (light as a feather) stiff as a board develops strength primarily in the core—the muscles that connect the upper and lower body—as well as the shoulders, arms, and glutes.

You've probably may or may not have seen people doing this exercise and don't think too much of it. Too simple? Well, don't underestimate the power of the plank.

The plank exercise is one of the most effective out there because it strengthens both the shoulders and the abdominal region, as well as the legs.

Planks are also useful for helping burn off stubborn belly fat. Planking builds your core muscles, and muscles burn even more calories. This extra burn makes it easier to lose weight.

Planking is also wonderful because it is low impact. You're very unlikely to hurt yourself and you won't end up straining any of your muscles, joints, or ligaments.

But four minutes of planking must be pretty hard, right? Well, the fortunate thing is that we build our way up to it. The plank challenge adds just a few seconds most days.

You start at 20 seconds a day, move up to 30, 40, then 45 and so on. This allows your body to get used to the exercise and helps you get better at it. The longer you caPlanking (no, not that bizarre craze) is a simple but effective bodyweight exercise. Holding the body (light as a feather) stiff as a board develops strength primarily in the core—the muscles that connect the upper and lower body—as well as the shoulders, arms, and glutes.

This static exercise—meaning the body stays in one position for the entirety of the move—requires no equipment and can be performed just about anywhere (well, use your judgment). Find out how to perfect your plank and fix some of the most common planking mistakes with this guide.

Standard Plank Exercise


  1. Plant the hands directly under the shoulders (slightly wider than shoulder-width apart) like you’re about to do a push-up.
  2. Ground the toes into the floor and squeeze the glutes to stabilize the body. Your legs should be working on the move too; careful not to lock or extra-stretch your knees.
  3. Neutralize the neck and spine by looking at a spot on the floor about a foot beyond the hands. Your head should be in line with your back.
  4. Hold the position for 20 seconds. As you get more comfortable with the move, hold your plank for as long as possible without compromising form or breath.

What's The challenge?


There is no challenge. Planking is very simple.

You can begin with a single position for a month, later exercising with other positions which are mentioned in the links mentioned at the end of this post 

Here is your daily work out Plank Exercise Plan

30 days plank exercise plan

This static exercise—meaning the body stays in one position for the entirety of the move—requires no equipment and can be performed just about anywhere (well, use your judgment). There are different positions of plank exercises. Find out what is convenient to you how to perfect your plank. But in opinion, you start with the standard one explained above for a month and then decide on practicing other positions.
Based on

More Plank Exercises 1
More Plank Exercises 2




Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Theater Or Films? Difference And Benefits Nobody Told You


Actor's dilemma-Theatre or films?
An actor's dilemma-Theatre or films?

What is the difference between acting in Theater plays and Acting in a film?


Understanding the difference from an actor's point of view


What can an actor achieve in terms of objectives?

Theater: Talent, Moderate Name, and Fame
Film: Money, Name, and Fame

1. The Act


A.
The main difference between stage all over the world and film acting can be summed up in one word:
SIZE.
The voice and body are generally used much more fully on stage, whereas in the film (in relatively close-up shots) it is more as if actors are under a microscope, so smaller voice projection and physicality are appropriate.

B.
Film acting is almost always performed out-of-sequence. Often, all the scenes with a particular actor will be shot on one day (or in a sequence of days) so that, once done, the producers can let him go and stop paying him. If that actor is only in two scenes, say the first and last scenes of the movie, those scenes will be shot together, maybe on the same day.

the Shooting order can also get jumbled due to locations. If a character travels back-and-forth from New York to Paris, the New York scenes will generally be filmed all at once. Then the Paris scenes will be shot. (Or the other way around.)

Many films are unrehearsed or just slightly rehearsed. It's simply too expensive to pay an actor for a month of rehearsal. In the film, the "rehearsal" generally takes place on camera. If the actors aren't ready yet, those shots just don't get used.

In theater acting, stage actors generally have a minimum of two-weeks rehearsal before stepping in front of an audience.

On stage (in most plays), an actor can simply remain and go through in his character's experiences in proper  chronological order. So it's relatively easy. Stage actors generally have much more freedom of movement, improvising their movements, at least to some extent.

In films, this is rarely possible for film actors due to filming requirements. For example. a shot must be precisely lit and the cameras must be focused on a particular angle. So actors have to stand in very specific places or they'll be out of camera range or out of focus. This one one of the major reason why film actors sometimes either fail to maintain being in a character or make mistakes in movements causing retakes

Every time you see a cut in a movie, that means there had to be a new setup. Most of the time, it's much more complex than just pointing the camera in a new direction. The whole scene has to be re-lit.


2. Flow


On stage, acting is live storytelling. The flow of the story is shaped by the audience and the actors in real-time. It is never exactly the same story two nights running. If the audience is slow to respond, the actors can modify the performance to match. And they can watch in the wings to see how other parts of the play are progressing. The play is the thing!

In Films, there is a flow, but this is completely beyond the actor's control. An actor is a much more passive participant in a movie than the final result would suggest. Usually, the only thing an actor can focus on is the individual performance.


3. Preparation.


The Film seems to have a greater emphasis on spontaneous performances. You learn your lines, you get told where to stand - and someone yells "action".

On stage, you learn your lines, you get told where to stand - and then you spend several weeks rehearsing to understand the story and the character's place in it.
On a stage, you must be heard, so you have to adequately project your voice.  People aren't going to see subtle facial expressions, so you must instead express yourself with body language.
Stage actors have to rehearse to perfection.  They don't have a chance to attempt something more than once.  They're in front of the audience, delivering their performance to them right there and then.  Stage actors have to repeat their performance over multiple days, often multiple weeks.  Maybe even months or years.

Film acting is in some ways, closer to reality as if they were the character they were portraying.  This character should be completely believable as if it were a real person. Invariably, this is a  self-preparation (without rehearsals)
What they do, down to the minor responses, facial twitches, habits, etc should be along the lines of what you would expect from them if they actually the character.  A film actor gets to "try again until they get it right".  It could be  a retake 10 times before the take is approved.


4. Performance


  • For the film, a talented editor can create a stunning performance out of several average or bad ones.
  • For live theater, everything is right there, warts and all, for audiences to see. There is no 'change or re-performing unless it's improvisation (improv). If an actor forgets a line, bungles a line, steps on another actor's line (cue), or falls off the stage, nothing can be done. Just called as a terrible mess-up and continue  with the play.
  • In my view acting on stage is far more demanding. Filming a scene can be undertaken in small scenes allowing retakes. Once you are on stage and the show is underway it's down to you, your knowledge of lines and character and of course talent.
  • Apart from the differences mentioned above, for an aspiring actor's success, it's the “business angle”. The career planning and promotion required for to be a star actor in films is staggering and phenomenal! This is primarily due to size of world's Cine/TV industry and a frightening competition among actors
Source

My final views

A.
In the larger interest of aspiring actors, I would recommend going for both, Theater and Film
B.
looking at the intricacies of acting for theater and films, and whether you have an inborn talent or not, a top level training in acting craft is absolutely essential and remember, you to go on learning till you die



Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Follow 8 Simple Tips And Practice Them To Be A Great Actor


Transforming beautifully into a character! Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer in 'The Woman in Black'
Transforming beautifully into a character! Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer in 'The Woman in Black'


Do You Know The Trick To Master Acting And Be A Great Actor?


Secret. Keep quite

Top Secret: Just Kick Yourself Out From 'YOU', Be Blank And Then Transform Into New Life! 



Acting, to be an actor, as I have has been making me free for a while and become somebody else who I will never be. It is like living an alternate life for a brief period of time. It is a terrible struggle and an opportunity to win over ‘ME’ (Whatever I’m), all my inhibitions, imposed by society, religion, customs and release myself from them.


Here are Undisclosed Tips for Beginners


1. Empty your mind


If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many constraints, wandering mind, possibilities, but in the expert actor’s mind, there are none or few.
As the Zen masters say, if you try to fill a cup, which is already full, it will spill all over. To fill something new in a cup, first, it must be emptied.

Therefore, before a script and your character analysis, remove everything which is in your mind. Remove clutter and move with creating a new life (of your character)
Though may look difficult to throw away yourself from your body and mind and transform into a new ‘character’, not only me but hundreds of other actors have mastered this trick.


2. How to achieve this?


Practice relaxation techniques, including Yoga, self-hypnotism, and auto-suggestion
(If you don’t know how to do it, join our one on one coaching)

3. The fear of the camera, people and forgetting your lines


How to deal?

To deal with it and forget it: Concentrate on your role and think about nothing else. Learn to enjoy the location, crew, co-actors, lights, set, spotlights on the set and just do what you need to do! The fact is with your every performance you will get better at handling it. A little fright will always remain which is good and will keep you alert on a shoot.


4. Beware of Overacting or Faking Acting


Warning! What separates good actors from bad ones is their sincerity of emotion and belief in front of a camera. The audience can spot a phony actor right away! Good acting is not over-acting or mechanically saying lines. Words flow when real emotions bring them out of memory or imagination and it's not the other way round. Feel the emotion by identifying what triggers an emotion; connect with it, embrace it and words will then flow naturally.
An exception: to this rule is a “Star” who can fake it so beautifully that to an audience, it looks real. The other truth, in this case, is that the actor playing a character is audience favorite “Star” and that’s all matters to them

5. Belief and Creative Imagination for Acting


The acting is living a different life, as I said before. It is 'creating truth in an imaginary scene'. The audience is only going to believe that you are the person you are playing to be if you yourself believe that you are that person!
The actor must use his imagination to be able to answer all questions (when, where, why, how)

How to do it?

Learn the art of Observing:  watch carefully people of different attitudes, note the details, let your imagination run wild, and create a small story with dialogs and practice it. This way your imagination will improve considerably to help you to transform into a character you intend playing

"The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to work on his voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind." - Stella Adler

6. Why to Repeatedly Read the Script?


To get to the soul of the story!
Read the script thoroughly. Then, read it yet again. Keep reading till you get to the soul of the story. Understand the script first and think about what the story writer has tried to say through the script. This a view from the outside. Then again read the story from the angle of the role you are playing.
Don’t hesitate! Ask the director what exactly you feel about the story and clarify your doubts. This is very important, as you need to understand the people, the surroundings, the time of the story and its message.

The Process

A. The father: The author of the story or screenplay or script
B. The mother: That’s you (actor) who is pregnant with the role inside
C. The child: The role (Character) to be born.
And finally
D. The doctor: The director who helps in role (child) birth


7. Lose Yourself in the Role but Stay Aware


On a character level you must become that “character” and get involved, but your awareness as 'YOU', an actor should also be there, all the time while performing. What I mean here is being aware of the limitations on a set, camera –position, shots, angles, width and length, blocking; lights, props and their uses, where the co-actors are and listening to them and reacting.
You got to have a “switch on-off” mechanism in your acting instrument (mind and body) which puts instantly into a “character” or an “actor” mode

8. Why to Enjoy Acting in Films?


Last but not the least, to do it right, you must enjoy the process! A very important part is bonding with your co-actors and developing good chemistry on a set with everybody. A film is a team job and you need to be a team player. The success of a role or a film is directly proportional to how much the team enjoyed while preparing! Keep learning and always have the passion of a beginner's mind and you will never cease to progress.
Based on


Learn Before Dreaming An Actor | Deadly Struggle Of 5+16 Stars


Deadly struggle stories of International actors


What An Aspiring Actor can Learn From Great Hollywood And Bollywood Actor's Struggle Stories



Hollywood Celebrities


1. Jim Carrey

Career: Actor
Jim Carrey, who as a child lived out of a van with his parents. After his father lost his job, Carrey had to quit high school to help support his family, taking odd jobs as a janitor. To help his family survive, and to care for his chronically ill mother, Carrey had to give up dreams of ever finishing high school. On top of this, he has had to battle depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder throughout his career. With all of these hurdles, Carrey has still managed to become one of the most recognizable and bankable comedians in the movie business.

2. Russell Brand

Career: Comedian/Actor
Born into a tumultuous relationship, Brand’s parents divorced when he was only six months old, with his mother raising him. At the age of seven, he was sexually abused by a tutor, and at the age of eight his mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer, followed by breast cancer. This would scar him for life, leading to him developing bulimia and a taste for illegal drugs. Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder, Brand would also go through a period of self-harming. He would use these difficulties as fodder for his early stand-up acts, gaining him recognition and pushing him from small English clubs to become a widely recognized comedic actor.

3. Charlize Theron

Career: Actress
Now one of the most desired actresses in Hollywood, Theron dealt with a tumultuous childhood in an area rife with troubles. Born in the racially-divided South Africa, Theron’s father was an alcoholic who eventually met his end at the hands of her mother, in a shooting deemed self-defense. Setting out as a model, she also had aspirations to be a ballet dancer, dreams that where destroyed when she suffered severe knee injuries. With both of these paths fading, she moved to Los Angeles, and caught a lucky break when a talent agent saw her in a bank. In 2003, she truly broke into Hollywood stardom with her role as Aileen Wuornos in Monster, which garnered her nominations and awards across the globe, including winning best actress at the Golden Globes, the Oscars, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

4. Marlee Matlin

Career: Actress
While not born deaf, Marlee Matlin lost almost all ability to hear at the age of 18 months, with only 20% of hearing ability in her left ear remaining. Even so, she showed interest in acting from an early age, debuting on stage at age seven as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Molested by a babysitter, and later a teacher in high school, Matlin continued to seek comfort on the stage. This would eventually lead to her being discovered by Henry Winkler. In her debut film at 21 years of age, she would become the only deaf performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Children of a Lesser God, as well as the youngest person to ever receive the award. She also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for the role. She continues to be one of the most recognizable faces for performers with handicaps, working in television and film to this day.

5. Oprah Winfrey

Career: Talkshow host
Long before she was the most powerful female in show business, Oprah was the daughter of a poverty-stricken single teenage mother. Born in Mississippi, she lived with her grandmother until she moved to Milwaukee to be with her mother at age six. Molested by family members from the age of nine, Winfrey herself became a pregnant teenager at age 14. After the loss of her son in infancy, her mother sent her to live with the man she thought was her father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville. It was living with Vernon that finally allowed Oprah to blossom, and got her on her path to become the entertainment juggernaut she has become.
Source

Bollywood Stars


In a highly competitive and crowded  Bollywood industry, can you wait for 5 to10 years for a break?
Can you arrange sufficient money for living in Mumbai for long periods without a job?

There is no arguing the fact that behind every successful man, there is a woman. But a lesser known fact is that behind every success story there is a period of hardships, failure, and misery.
Fame never comes easy, especially for stars. Contrary to popular belief, not all Bollywood stars were served fame and money on a silver platter.
Many biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Dharmendra faced failure, disapproval and the wrath of sadists but what makes their story worth giving a read is that they went against all odds and came out winners.
The struggle period was long and frightening! Many of them had no house, not even a morsel of food and survived on a petty amount. They never gave up! Just went on kicking with sheer grit and incredible determination.


1. Amitabh Bachchan 

After being rejected by a radio company many times, Amitabh Bachchan used to sleep on a bench on Marine drive during his struggling days. Struggled for 8 years before he was an established star.


2. Madhuri Dixit

She never got positive reviews as a newcomer in Bollywood. People never thought that she would become this big in the industry. Struggled for 5 years before a true break.

3. Boman Irani 

Munnabhai MBBS fame Boman Irani used to work as a waiter at the Taj hotel! Struggle period to be in Bollywood-5 years.

4. Jackie Shroff 

Before becoming a star, Jackie Shroff used to live in a Chawl in Teen Batti, Mumbai and use to walk longer or travel by local train for a role for 6 years.

5. Shah Rukh Khan

The Badshah slept on roads near the Oberoi hotel for many days before he got a role in Deewana opposite Divya Bharti. Struggled for 20 years before his film was a hit- "DDLJ"

6. Dev Anand

This legendary actor worked as a clerk before he became a star. He earned Rs 85 per month for 5-7 years.

7.  Dilip Kumar

During struggling days, Dilip Kumar had no money to shuffle between home and film studios. Former BCCI president PM Rungta would give him money to travel. A story of 7 year struggle.

8. Neha Dhupia

The former Miss India Neha Dhupia used to help models with their shoes backstage for a long period.

9. Akshay Kumar 

Would shuffle between Bangkok, Singapore, and India and sell clothes and other products. The Khiladi also tried his hands at aiding people to buy and sell flats, he would cut his
commission in between. Struggled for 5 years before a true break.


10. Dharmendra 

It has been reported that there were times when Dharmendra didn’t even have a morsel of food. Had to face a terrible struggle for years.

11. Rajnikanth

The God of the south, Rajinikanth was a bus conductor in Bangalore. Struggled for 9 years before was established as a star.

12. Zeenat Aman

Before Hare Rama Hare Krishna happened for Zeenat Aman, she was all packed to return to Germany with her mother as all her movies had failed miserably. Struggled for 4 years before a true break.

13. Johnny Lever 

Johnny Lever Was A Part Of Kalyanji-Anandji’s Group, But Was Hardly Getting Any Work. In Those Days, One Of The Comedian’s Friends Gave Him A Musical Instrument. Lever Did Not Know Much About It And Gave It To Kalyanji-Anandji. The Duo Started Using The Instrument In Their Compositions And Paid Lever Rs 1,000-1500 Per Month For The Same. Struggled for 9 years before recognition.

14. Irrfan Khan

Early In His Career, The Versatile Irrfan Khan Wasn’t Paid For Some Of The Movies In Which He Acted. The Producers Bluntly Told Him That His Work Doesn’t Merit Any Pay. Struggled for 6 years for a true break

15. Govinda

Who Used To Stay In A Chawl In Virar, Would Go To Rajshri Studio On Each Day, But Was Rejected On The Basis Of Being Too Young. Not Disheartened, Govinda Even Made A Show Reel In Which He Was Seen Acting And Dancing And Showed It To The Production House. Struggled for 8 years before a true break.

16. Manoj Bajpai

At A Time When Manoj Bajpai Had No Money At All, He Agreed To Do The Serial Swabhimaan For A Mere Fee Of Rs 2,000. Struggled for 7 years.
Source: click here
Source: click here

Author's comments:


The Success Requirements for An Actor in Today's Competitive Environment:


  • Trust your dreams, and yourself
  • Learn contemporary acting techniques
  • Developing your acting instrument (body and mind)
  • A first-grade knowledge of the entertainment industry
  • To be an excellent public relations man or a woman
  • Developing a thick skin to face rejections, sarcasm, and insult
  • Excellent command of Hindi and English
  • Knowledge of computers and to be an internet research freak
  • To be a great marketing and promotional guy
  • An access to sufficient financial resources for a long time
Source




Saturday, 8 October 2016

Learn Best Technique To Analyze Script And Create A Character


Script analysis for actors
Script analysis for actors

First of all, some actors don't approach script analysis at all, which is a huge mistake. Script analysis is the road map to your work. Actors make their acting choices from the knowledge given to them from script analysis.
To understand and create a right profile of the character you intend playing, and to have initial correct feelings, it's extremely important to read the entire script.

A great motto my Acting coaching is "Think before you act, so that you can act before you think."
The actors should have freedom on stage and on camera, to enable them to concern ourselves only with acting taking it as the truth of the moment, and shoild have fun! Analyzing the script creates a blueprint of clear choices of how to portray the character and play truthfully and instantly under the given circumstances in a scene.

To create an amazing character for an actor to play, here is an exquisite and artistic technique-

 1. A critical analysis of script (scene or screenplay)


A.The moment you get a script either for a film or only your lines for an audition, don't try to read it hurridly in your eagerness to know  what it is about. Many read it while walking or traveling or texting on cell phone. Don't do it because remember, first impression is important and gets imprinted in mind. That may take you in a wrong direction than what a writer exactly wants to convey to viewers- the objective of the story. For auditions, where you you have to prepare yourself quickly, find a quite place or go out or sit on the staircase or even in the toilet and prepare. Inform the concerned person coordinating auditions about your absence for few minutes.
B. Have patience. Read it with your free time and without any clouded thoughts. Read it again and again, at least 3 times or more for a clarity.


2. Now ask these questions to yourself and note down answers by analysing the script repeatedly


  • What is the Plot? (what is the story about); The objective
  • What is the Theme? (what is the message the story wants to communicate to the audience)
  • What are the changes (Beat) in the script? In the beginning, middle and at the end? Beat changes are in a script smaller shifts / changes within the scenes where the characters may change their action, attitude, or topic of conversation.
  • How  are the characters playing these changes. What are their 'Beats". Especially those of a character you intend portraying. ( A beat in acting terms is a change in how the character is reaching their objective in a scene. This could be a change in emotion, thought process, subject matter, or simply what the character is doing )
  • What are the complications? (what is the conflict, drama in the story)
  • What in the script is creating the tension (what will happen next) and how is it solved? 
  • What is the conclusion? (how does the story end)
  • Who is the protogonist? (the main character)
  • Who is / are the antagonist/s? (could be one or more characters)
  • Where does the story take place? (location, time and period etc)

Note: The questions and the answers as in above exercise, where ever applicable, should be done scene wise and shot wise especially in those, where your character is present

3 Character Analysis from The Script And How To Create "Your" Character


Though this will be done in detail in my sequenial next post, I'm giving below the key points of  creating a character

Based on your indepth analysis of the script

A. Create a physical, mental and social profile of the character
B. What is the character's objective in the script and then in each scene?
C  How the character achieves the objective? Identify character's actions (physical and mental responses or changes in 'beat' to varied situations)  for each scene, shot, even for each line.
This can also be based on asking yourself, “What does my character want to other people in the scene to do?” The answer that question is your character’s objective. How are you going to accomplish your objective? That’s what is important because that gives you an action, your response to play in each scene.
D. Based on this analysis and character creation, memorize your scenes or lines

Conclusion


  • Remember that acting is a collective exercise and actors must also take a director’s opinion into account. Listen to what a director says and incorporate it into your character in an honest way, based on your own analysis of the script. 
  • Your script breakdown will be a never-ending process. Each time you read the script, you find out something different about the story or the characters.
  • The script will constantly evolve. It will change because of the your creative notes – writer changes – actor changes – producer changes – changes due to technical changes in a shot– location availability and on and on and on…
  • If you are well prepared, can trully transform into your character and be yourself as well (due to technical reasons, especially when acting for camera), you can adjust to all the changes. 




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