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

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

Learn Best Technique To Analyze Script And Create A Character

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. 

Take 5 Minutes Test To Know If You Will Be An Actor Or Not

Can You Be An Actor?

Whether You Will be An Actor Or Not?
If Yes, great but, what next?
If No, then what to do? Forget your dreams? Or is there any hope?

Answer This Simple Test And Know

• Either directly on page or copy on Microsoft word / notepad. Just write "yes" or "no" against every question based truthfully on 'who you are'
• Answering all the questions is mandatory. 
• Time: Unlimited
• Maximum: 100 Marks

1. Am I always going all out to compete against my own last performance in rehearsals, auditions and in a shoot?


2. Am I a strong believer in myself as well as others?


3. Have I always helped others without expecting any return?


4. Have I set my long and short term goal, action plan and strategies?


5. Am I prepared to continue to learn and update the acting craft till I die?


6. Am I always taking an action to meet my goals?


7. Am I absolutely confident while in auditions or in a shoot or in life in general?


8. Am I emotionally strong and thick skinned to take rejections, criticism, and rebuke?


9. Am I afraid of making mistakes?


10. Am I reluctant of saying, I was wrong?


11. I  not egoistic and try to boast about myself.


12. Am I disciplined and orderly in managing my life?


13. Am I persistent in getting what I want and don't give up?


14. Am polite and courteous all the times, even in spite of adverse comments?


15. Do I plan in advance to be punctual?


16. Am I well informed?


17. Have I researched on the internet and with other sources to understand cine industry, rules of the game, money required to fulfill my dream to a successful actor?


18. Do I have the patience to wait for years to be a successful actor?


19. Am I willing to take  chances?


20. Do  I always answer the telephone in a polite and professional manner?


21. I don't get carried away by Industry's big names, rumors and promises in undertaking training, roles offered in big films or serials etc.


22. Do I work 10 hours a day on the requirements of "How to be a successful actor in Bollywood' like top body, good looks, excellent voice, proficiency in Hindi and English, excellent acting skills, knowledge of the industry, developing contacts, networking etc. ?


23. Do I forget the failures of the past,  brood and look at each new day through fresh eyes?


24. Do I look for solutions, not problems?


25. Do I look straight at other people in the eyes during conversations?


26. Do I always make a comment 'I like that' or 'That's good,' a big part of my conversation?


27. Do I look for and meet with other successful actors on a regular basis?


28. I never criticize.


29. I never say, 'never' or 'not possible' or 'cannot be done'.


30. Do I reach beyond my 'comfort zone'?


31. Do I recognize and applaud the performance of others?


32. Do I always return telephone calls?


33. Do I reward myself for even little achievements?


34. Do I always maintain a friendly face with a permanent smile?


35. Do I say 'thank you' and 'please' on a consistent basis?


36. Do I share what I have with others?


37. Do I take care with the way I dress?


38. Do I'm always careful of taking a recommended nutritious diet for my body?


39. Do I use a diary to plan for the day, check in the night, whether I have achieved my previous day's plan?


40. Do I walk perfectly like a model normally, and have good posture?


41. Do I pray to my God every day before I start to move out?


42. Am I careful in selecting my friends and have ones from whom I learn and who are always ready to help me?


43. I believe in 'I would rather win a friend than win an argument'?


44. Do I read lots of books to improve my acting craft?


45. I don't chat foolishly on social media like Facebook or post my photographs for receiving favorable comments, thus giving me false hopes.


46. Do I write lots of notes


47. Am I a  good listener?


49. I never indulge in gossips

50. If I have nothing good to say, I keep my mouth shut

51. Am I ready to do another part time job to support me in my pursuit to be a successful actor, in the case of a prolonged financial uncertainty?

CHECK OUT THE RESULT YOURSELF

• For "Yes" +2 Marks
• For "No" -Marks
• Add up your points

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

More than 70 Marks: 
Good Job! You are Gonna Be A Star Actor! But, continue to learn till you die

Less than 70 Marks: 

Read this blog, practice and change yourself
Or Join us to get trained
Or Just forget to be an actor. Dream some other life and be happy 

Source

Is Acting Talent Inborn or Learned? What Should Do If Not?

A Big Dilemma for Beginners

Can  An Actor's Creativity and Talent Be Taught or Is It Inborn?

 

Beliefs

Good acting comes naturally and it's "inborn"
No, not necessarily. Good acting can be learned

I think, like with any talent that one has to have a certain amount of natural ability towards such in order to be good at whatever event you wish to pursue.

Examples:

Hollywood

Imagine Al Pachino as the leading scorer of NBA game, and Micheal Jordan as an actor.
Each was great within their own field of expertise through a seemingly natural endowed gift towards that particular talent, hence, it's technically both.

Bollywood  India

• Watch great TV live incredible shows of Indian Idol of singers, Jhalak Dikh La Ja of dancers and The Voice Kids of singers. It's both, inborn talent and the result of most rigorous training and practice.
• Watch classics of Bollywood oldies like Dilip Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Meen Kumari, Nargis who never took any training and then the group of contemporary star actors like Khans, Akshay Kumar, who had both talent and training

However, I strongly believe, acting can be learned. Sure, there are actors with inborn talent but acting can't be satisfactory until you feel it and to feel it you have to practice it.

My personal formula for the best way To be a good actor 

Is to practice acting by

1. Just lie: lie a lot . make stories that don't exist and make everyone believe in your stories. That will help you to improvise scenes and with your character.

2. Observation: Observe people with varied attitudes and practice copying their physical movements, voice, reactions and emotions. For this visit regularly, public places like bus stops or railway stations, market, museums, zoo etc and spend time watching

3. Imagine and Dream: A. Develop power of imagination by creating new stories on what you have observed like backstory or new stories on shapes, emotions, actions, family, happenings etc.B. Write 10 words (any) on a paper. Close your eyes and put your finger on any one. Now, create a story related to that word and then play that story in front of a mirror or in front of friends (play this game with your family or friends)

4. Magic "If": The easiest and most effective technique to learn acting is called magic "If". In simple term, it's imagining "If I'm so and so (The character) in this given situation in a scene". Read, learn and practice it daily. It's almost forty years since I first put my first steps on the stage to perform as an actor and I still practice, of course, now for camera  magic "If" in free time.

Finally: Then go on learning on your own and practicing it till you die

I remember the comments of 2 top acting coach whom I met during my long coaching career.

"Acting is a talent and skill that cannot be taught – only nurtured and developed” 

“Some actors will always be crap, no matter how much training they get".

Talent is inborn, skill is acquired. If you really want to fly high because of talent alone, try to analyze and mingle with 2 categories of actors and learn-

A. Only talented and
B. Well-trained actors with passion

So what’s the final verdict then?

The truth is that – based on numerous survey and findings – some individuals really are born more creative than others. The rest of us will have to continue nurturing and developing our creative minds in hopes that we’ll get to the level of those gifted people.

But hey, we’re artists nonetheless and it will be hard to push any artist, whether“talented” or not into trusting only "opinions" behind being an actor over our passion and determination.

16 Pearls Of Wisdom To Know Before You Decide To Be An Actor

Is there any aspiring actor reading this now so wise as to learn by the experience of others?

These are few pearls of wisdom related to acting and actors based on from performing art world masters, my own decades of personal experience as an actor, writer, and a filmmaker Source

So, here we go!

1. In my life, I was lucky to meet some good actors out of thousands. It's a challenge, writing about actors, especially a good actor, because you can't always tell when they're being honest and when they're pretending - that is, when they're acting. Whether in front of a camera or in real life, they are an epitome of excellence~Kiran Pande, author, and an acting coach

2. In the acting business world, every actor is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later

3. Being a successful actor is a business. If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business

4. Every day I get up and look through the list of the richest actors in Bollywood. If I'm not there, I go out and work harder.

5. A Casting Director a stupid person. She is your wife. Take care and do what she wants.

6. I rate enthusiasm and determination in an actor even above professional skill.

7. Like in any other business, if you don't sell yourself as an actor to the cine world, you are not creative.

8. Struggling actors! Sometimes you can have the smallest role in the smallest production and still have a big impact.

9. Make your life by creating a new life in front of a camera.

10. There are no regrets rejections and failures in actor's life. Just lessons.

11. Wanna be an actor? Warning! You can be terrorized by the observation, imagination and emotional requirements of being an actor. Acting is like letting your pants down; you're exposed.

12. To be a good human being isn't easy. Being an actor is even harder. I want to be both before I die.

13. A good actor is a criminal, to be willing to break the rules to go for something new.

14. There are two main jobs in acting - the first one is to be a good actor, and the second one is to convince everyone that you're a good actor.

15. A good actor must never be in love with anyone but himself.

16. The world of acting is no place for good actors. The competition from bad actors is too great. Be an intelligent actor

As A Beginner, Why to Follow 10 Traits Of Star Actors?

Better decide destination before you begin the journey!

Do you want to be just an actor and make a living?

Then, don't read this post. You can be without training, advice, and spending money

Do you dream to be a great actor, earn a name and fame?

Then, go ahead and read and follow this as if your life depends on it! 

How can you be a great actor?
An actor must be convincing in his role and accurately portray elements such as time and emotion to the audience. To be a successful in front of the camera or on stage, one must possess certain skills.

Here are the 10 top qualities of star actors needed to be a great actor

1. Is Dazzling 

A great actor is so convincing in a role that he can hold an audience captive and make them feel as if there is nothing but the story at hand. This is achieved by undertaking an excellent training in the acting craft and continuing learning till death

2. Is Truly Committed

A great actor is committed to becoming the best actor he/she can be, as well as to working hard and preserving through rejection to find the best roles.

3. Exhibits Confidence

A great actor is confident in his work and portrays that confidence both during a performance as well as in public to help create a rapport with the industry and public.

4. Has Intuition and Judgement

A great actor has keen insight into human behavior and can effectively convey the emotion that influences people and his fans/viewers

5. Is Able to Use His/Her Intelligence for Role Creation

A great actor uses intelligence to research roles and impart that knowledge into their acting to develop more convincing attributes of the character. Great actors generally also have excellent reading and interpretation skills.

6. Possesses Good Body and Physical Skills

A great actor apart from keeping a well-shaped body is working on has skill in physical movement and is able to portray the movements of a variety of characters. Many actors also perform stunt work and complicated physical work.

7. Exhibits a True Professionalism

A great actor works with a wide variety of people and is highly professional in all situations. A great actor shows tremendous respect to the craft, script, writers, directors, and all other key personnel involved in a production.

8. Has a Natural Talent

A great actor has an ingrown talent for performing and entertaining.

Note; If you don't have an inborn talent there are techniques to learn it which means it can be acquired with training and hard work

9. Knows How to Manage Career

A great actor knows that an acting career is a “Business” and has mastered the art and science of how to set goals, market and promote himself/herself as a product

10. Has a Sense of Pride

A great actor has at least a degree of self-respect and vanity that drives them to continue to improve and excel at the craft.

Can You Transform Instantly Into A Character? No? Learn

An actor's transformation into a character instantly

WARNING! This post is only for those who have a passion for being a star actor and just an actor

Are You Ready To Adapt Yourself Instantly Into A Convincing Character? 

No! Your Own "Self" is Your Enemy No 1

In our fast-moving film, television, and theater industry, we actors are continually asked for "quick results." We must be emotionally ready to transform into a new human being, learn our lines rapidly, and create our characters we intend portraying with all objectives and desires of a dynamic creature—all without much preparation time. Now more than ever, the deciding factor in a successful audition or performance is the actor's ability to get inspired at a moment's notice. After all, this inspiration or motivation and consequent instant transformation  lead to real, original, surprising, fresh performances.

How is such instant transformation into a new human being by getting inspired
readily achieved? 

We are born not as an actor but as a normal human being. We inherit genetic characteristics of our parents or ancestors which become a part of our “self'. For example color of the skin, color of eyes, voice, hair, height, walk, intelligence, posture etc. Secondly, as we grow up, we are taught how to live a life as practiced in our culture and family. We learn small things like brushing teeth, toilet habits, bathing, walking, language, social behavior and because we are taught and practice these thinks repeatedly, it becomes our habit and a part of our “Archetype” or “Self”. This gives us a life lesson as well that if we practice any good or a bad thing repeatedly, it becomes our habit.

This created “Self” of ourselves may become the biggest hurdle in creating a character, that too instantly, in spite of our ability to trigger inspiration and imagination.

This brings us to what great international actors use to develop and practice to be in a character for months together. The history of acting and actors has significant names of so-called “Method Actors” like:

• Daniel Day-Lewis. Actor, There Will Be Blood
• Christian Bale. Actor, The Dark Knight. ...
• Robert De Niro. Actor, Goodfellas. ...
• Heath Ledger. Actor, The Dark Knight. ...
• Jim Carrey. Actor, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. ...
• Joaquin Phoenix. Actor, Gladiator. ...
• Marlon Brando. Actor, The Godfather. ...
• Nicolas Cage. Actor, Leaving Las Vegas.

However, in today's scenario, this may be difficult, because of 2 reasons

1. The commercial reasons: You don't get script well in advance to allow you to create a character, shun your “self” and practice it for months.
2. You are not a star yet to get that privilege of “time” which a star may demand and get.

How can you refill a glass when it's already filled? It will get spilled. Or how can you write something new on a paper or a slate already full?  You just can't. The solution is, empty the glass first, or clean the  paper or slate first.

So, what an actor should do? 

Observe yourself keenly , everything you do, your mannerism, how you behave in the different life situation and note down
Learn how to neutralize yourself as what you are making yourself 'A blank' to create a new character
By practicing at least for an hour daily-weird movements, gestures, speech, posture, voice etc which are the part of your “self” create a “blank” a neutral person ready to adapt any new life.
Apart from learning Sanford Meisner's acting technique, I strongly recommend learning Michael Chekhov's acting technique (Join us to learn)

The basic learning step

Is to analyze the character in the script. Physical, mental and cultural profile. How and why he/she behaves, emotions, sensitivity etc. Just go on imaging and dreaming. In other words, create a character's physio-psychological profile.

 Exercises

(Note: Some of these exercises are based on Michael Chekhov Acting Techniques which has helped me as an actor and my students while learning how to free yourself and how be a star actor rather than just ann actor)

 1.Wide Movements

• Make a series of wide broad movements; utilizing whole body and space around you enact the following:
• Open yourself completely, expanded position, return to neutral, imagine yourself becoming larger and larger, repeat “I am going to awaken the sleeping muscles of my body, I am going to revivify and use them”
• Now close yourself, contracted position, kneel, cross arms and head to floor – imagine becoming smaller and smaller, wanting to disappear, space is shrinking around you
• Thrust body forward on one leg, stretch out arms; now make movement sideways and stretch on left and right side (like a blacksmith, beat a hammer upon an anvil)
• Make different well-shaped full movements: throwing stuff in different directions; lifting objects from the ground; holding it high above ground; dragging, pushing, and tossing – use sufficient strength, moderate tempo, avoid dancing, Breath, pause after each moment

Goals: freedom from “self”and versatility

2. Center in Chest

• Imagine there is a center of the chest from where all your emotions, feelings and reactions emerge. Though this may be difficult in the beginning imagining and thinking repeatedly may create this center which will be under your control. Imagine and feel that from this created center, you can sense external stimuli and are responding with natural physical and emotions reactions

Goals: smooth, graceful, artistic movement, creating different body types, overcome “self”-consciousness, experience strong feeling on camera or stage

3.  Molding

• Say to self “I'm a like a wet mold and a  sculptor, I mold myself in the space surrounding me, in the air around me I leave my form by the movements of my body”
• Create strong and definite forms – as if your body is changeable, a movable form
• Mold yourself any form- tree, animal, table, flower, an idiot, mad, man or woman of different emotions and attitudes you see around you using different parts of body
• Avoid unnecessary muscular tension
• Say to yourself “Every movement I make is a little piece of art, my body is a fine instrument for producing molding movements and creating form.  Through my body I convey my inner power and strength”

Goals: create forms in whatever you do.

4. Floating

Imagine and feel floating on water-sea, space, on moon

5. Flying

Against gravity, going up and up, coming down and down, imagine different types of birds and their flying habits and fly

6. Flowing

On river course(rough, still, whirlpool, calm, hitting against a rock and bouncing back), On sea waves

7. Beauty

• Think why a thing looks beautiful?
• How can I be beautiful and artistic in everything I do?
• Be conscious of everything you do and then do the same thing slowly and artistically for example- your walk, smile, movements of your body parts, picking up a glass, pen, paper...everything

8. Transformation

Imagine and Practice:

• A beggar..and now transformed into a prince
• You are an executive turned into a spider
• You are a young girl turned into an old witch
• You are a seed growing into a tree

9. Changing routine and habits

• Pick up any activity like brushing teeth, cleaning table, room, combing hair. Observe how you do it and now, change method or style of doing it, try to do the same thing artistically
• Speak or recite anything you do normally like prayer or speaking style. Now change its rhythm, volume, your gestures etc
• Your walk, sitting on a chair, in toilet etc. Now change it. Do it again and again

Well, the above are some of the exercises which if you practice, I'm sure will free yourself from “Self" and will make you the most dynamic, creative and easily adaptable actor into a convincible new character.

To learn Michael Acting Technique and then how to create a free body and mind by developing your own acting style, join us