THE LESSONS I LEARNED AS AN
ACTOR WHILE DIRECTING
IF YOU FUCK UP KEEP GOING!!
-- Whenever Nicola messes up she stops and it lights a fire under my ass every
single time. If she kept going who knows what could have come out of her for
the rest of her monologue. Fucking up makes you stop thinking about what’s
coming next and then your reacting to what’s really in the moment. Instead of
giving me the fake hyped up bullshit that you’ve rehearsed for hours in your
bedroom mirror, give me some real human behavior. That's all I'm asking for. I don't care if you stumble on your words or you get your line completely wrong. I want to see what comes out of you next!
GIVE ME CHOICES!! -- I used
to come to rehearsals with no idea what I was supposed to do during a scene or
maybe have one idea of how I may act. After directing for the freshman showcase
that has changed drastically. Actors don't just walk into rehearsal empty
handed. They have ideas and choices that they have made based on the character
work that they have done. Working with the freshman really slapped this lesson
in my face. I as the director had to make the majority of the actor’s choices.
If I were them I would be mortified that someone else did my character work for
me. If you don't come to the table with ideas no director will ever want to
cast you. But they're freshman so they have plenty of time to learn that
lesson.
I KNOW IT’S “JUST” REHERSAL
BUT JESUS PLEASE GIVE ME SOMETHING TO
WORK WITH!! – After having a taste of what its like to direct, I honestly feel
so bad for my behavior as an actor during rehearsals. While blocking my play my
actors were not taking the opportunity to actually start working together.
Their lines sounded dead and their eyes were glazed over. I honestly want to
make Aladren a fruit basket as an apology for all of the times I’ve done this
to her. Even if you’re just learning your blocking, giving me choices can
effect your blocking. I guess as a first time – no what-so-ever experienced –
director, I was hoping to have more of a collaborative relationship with my
actors. But what I got, was a couple of freshman actors. Take every opportunity
you have to rehearse and go full out 100% of the time. Your director will let
you know when to ease off.
MEMORIZE YOUR LINES
MONOTONE OR I WILL KILL YOU!! – I didn’t realize how important this lesson was
until I started directing my play for freshman showcase. Nicola basically
memorized her monologue as her time to yell and her time to shine. I honestly
don't think it should be yelled or pushed at all. As soon as she starts yelling
and pushing you can't understand a word that comes out of her mouth. I’ve told
her this but because she memorized her lines thinking of a character choice she
can’t break herself out of the habit now. Memorize monotone. I beg you.
STOP BEING LAZY AND DO YOUR
DAMN HOMEWORK!! THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE, RIGHT?!! – Ok I honestly can’t rant
on this subject to much because I’ve given my actors plenty of homework and
they’ve always come back to me with what they thought was expected of them.
Maybe it’s just my expectations but I expect a lot more out of them. I don’t
want them to just answer every question I ask them about their characters. I
want them to spend the time digging deeper and finding out for themselves who
their characters are. I myself have always done my homework but I’m just weird
when it comes to sharing it before perfected and I often have a hard time
putting my ideas into words. I hate putting something out on the table unless I
know its good. Yes I know that’s something I have to work on. I’m working on
it.
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