Landing

Ahem...full attention.

Landing an audition. oh it's about time i gave it proper thought

As some of you know, I have one today. I like to intensely review right before hand, then go into it not a rehearsed character but more of an open slate keeping all these important details in mind.

Although, I have a rehearsed character prepared as Puck (Robin Goodfellow) I am still open to any modifications at this point having only worked from a scene sheet for now. This is already one good thing to remember: Pick a scene of the play that explains most about the character. It will be easier to get a feel of them and then more fun to play around with.

The best scene for this is usually the first appearance of this character in a play. As it usually introduces them. (duh lol)

So after you have your scene picked out and read over it a few times (making sure to mark unclear parts and words, right?) rehearse a few times, read-through style but don't hold back. Try it several ways. Ask a friend or possible fellow future cast-mate (you always want to ask someone you find fits your own style for style review past blogs) what they think, but don't take it to heart. Only the casting director should tell you what to do and let it stick.

This is important to elaborate on. Lots of actors tend to come to me and ask "Is this good?" or "How should I do this?" and you know what I say? A-S-K--T-H-E--D-I-R-E-C-T-O-R!

Why?

Because the play, though pre-written, is being put up the way he/she sees fit. and some can be real nasty too
So moving on, once you've got a basic feel for the character and know what it's about put the script down. DON'T TOUCH IT!

Re read it once or twice before actually going in, to refresh your mind but it's always best not to over-rehearse as that will already be an ingrained character and auditions call for open slates.

Now, walking in you might get nervous. I sure do.

Realize that this is the fun part. How much fun you have with it will later decide how you feel if you fail or succeed.

Drink an energy drink lol

And go play!

Make sure you're presenting yourself with the style you want, make eye contact walking in, saying hello, be polite and during the scene, only make eye contact if it calls for it.
Some asides do, for example.

IF YOU STUTTER OR STUMBLE: It's okay. First off you're only human. Second, it just might be damn funny if you stay in character because characters are humans too.

Lastly, listen to the response. (Even during the scene but that's another installment lol of Audience there/not there also called the "fourth wall")

Once you've finished, the casting director may ask you to do it differently. They may ask you to read for another part. This is where we don't think, just do it. We're already not nervous and we're just having fun. Let's hope they give you a minute to read through it (though some are assholes and won't)

Once it's over before they tell you to get the fuck out they'll probably give you some helpful tips of advice. It's these that you want to memorize. yes out of the whole damn process!

You know over the years I've built up a very wide collection of advice and tips from people and directors alike, and one thing I can say is nothing will help you along farther than really thinking each through and using what you need.

Some ways to do that is to keep an acting journal. Kinda like this one. Take it to rehearsals, auditions, hell take it everywhere.

Write in every piece of advice you find useful.

This is very Funny...

So children it seems the clues have been figured out by none other than a somewhat trusted source.

Very good, 100 points to ya. but i'm deducting 5 for your smart-ass attitude :p

So it seems that with all the dumb-asses out in the world there really still are a few bright minded individuals, who have actually managed to con a con artist. Bravo!

Don't let yourself get too proud, however...Dally will have her own way of dealing with this.

As for me, I'm not too mad...more amused. definitely impressed but if your ego grows bigger than your ass you might as well just land where i am.

Don't I catch on fast?

DisAppearance

Okay what the damn title says lol.

How many of you strip? I meant character-wise at night when you're sleeping dreaming of whatever, buns. Yes buns.

It's not too important, really. Learn to sleep as a character and you've really got the ball going. However, Metanya says this isn't healthy.
don't listen to her, she's the drunk melancholy girl in my closet.
So exactly where do characters go if they're let go?

Isn't it bedtime children?

When a particular character in this case we'll take Alida as I portray her currently, becomes no more than lines on paper is when the part goes to rest. It lives on in the actor's skin, no doubt, but may stay asleep. After this monday Alida will be put to rest as she should, in a tattered script.

I should have performed on Wednesday but I got distracted. There's a nice horn to blow...don't get distracted.

But that really is for another time, kids.

Mellow Yellow Melo-drama!

Oh yes haha, today's topic....melo-drama in this century. OOOH!!

I thought what the heck, mix in some of what I'm currently studying with what I've collected so far.

So far? I don't like 'em.

Firstly, a melo-drama is an exaggeration. It's a style of acting developed wayyy back when there were shhh....silent movies. Because they could only get in so much dialogue in each screen cap, their actions had to speak louder to be understood. there are other things that speak louder and listen better but take that any way you wish.
So offering someone a glass of water may look like they're trying to drown them.

While practicing my scene today, I had to try hard to keep that in mind. I mean now-a-days we just don't do that anymore. Now-a-days things have to seem real, we look for characters we relate to and like to think of their reality as our own. oh silly girl don't you know so well...
In melo-drama, it's very obvious acting. very horrible acting if ye ask me

Because I hated it so much I needed to find something to lighten my mood so I chose an action for my character I do not think she'd ordinarily do. It works perfectly for the fake acting look however, and I guess that's what matters.

My mother was melo-dramatic....perhaps I should watch my actions?

Meet the Public

So if you've kept up with this you're surely interested in this art form of expression. This is more aimed toward the actor himself, or any of you folks thinking about it.

Do you meet your public? Do you stay in character doing so?

These are important questions you need to consider. As a rule it used to be said actors should not meet their public and I have to agree, as the audience comes to see a particular spectacle, a specific character. I strongly believe a character deserves a life of their own and when the curtain closes is when it should be put to rest.

I never went out after performances simply because I follow the rules. I don't like disrespecting a character's right to live and be alive and be seen as just that. However, recently I participated in a small production (weeks rehearsal with two performances) and decided to break my rule. I learned what makes an actor really great.

As I exited the dressing rooms and headed for the gallery I did, in fact, take on my public part, but for once instead of sneaking out the back way, I joined my fellow actors in the gallery which was still filled with half the audience. So guess what happened.

Yup, no one recognized me! And that is what makes an actor truly shine, is in those moments that realization hits to the audience--they've just been conned. That's what they came for anyway.

I thought of becoming a con artist....I'd be great! But teaching's more fun.

Ya learned something, didn't ya?

Coincidence?

Today we'll talk about coincidence vs consequence. Logic vs imagination. Important key points for every person.

What's a coincidence?
Dictionary.com says: "a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance".

Hmm...fascinating, correct? What does consequence say?

"the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning; inference"

Now put the two together you wind up with: "A striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance and the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning."

This is called The Nature of Rationality.

But who wants to read all that? Haha, so what does it mean in regular terms? Simply that some things that may look one way, are perceived differently leading to a conclusion the brain creates by it's own line of reasoning.

Clear?

Good!

Logic vs Imagination
is logical imagination, right? hehe
What's logic? Dictionary says: "the system or principles of reasoning applicable to any branch of knowledge or study."

Imagination: "forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses."

Put them together and what do you get? A very sick mental patient.

Now we're getting to the good part, what's an actor?

Funny enough, I found nothing to satisfy or even compare to my definition. Dictionary says: "a person who does something; participant." and that was the closest I could find.

An actor as I see it, takes logic, laughs at it, then takes coincidence, ties it with imagination so they get a resulting consequence.
did you quite get it yet???
What that consequence is, is what will fuel the actor (during a scene) back to logical thought which he'll abandon on account coincidence (say a bird flies through the theater yes that has happened to us in acting school) letting his imagination run too far and getting another, usually more grand consequence. This up-drop scale continues throughout many many plays of Shakespeare's time. And who wouldn't study the master?

I never enjoyed Shakespearean plays much because of the cheesy language and even cheesier plots. However, I too had to learn all that crap to be able to call myself an actor at all. It helped me greatly with characterization back in the day, and helps me even now with upholding the scene.

*Just a reminder: Shakespeare was the first rapper. (My father always said, and...well it's true)

by the way....have you found it yet?

Self Control

Self control is vital for every human being.
and some human beings are vital for sself control
Fact.
no contest
Self control is life for an actor.
and the actor portrays self control
Truth.
that's the way it is.
Understand the lines in between. Nothing gets overseen, correct? Good, moving on.

Destination plays a nice chunk of self control. Have a good enough destination and determination will provide you with an excellent boost of self control.

I'm not a control freak, mind you haha. I'm actually more a negotiator/instigator. However the line is thin, that's true.
Yet no, I am simply amazed by the power of control, self control in particular.
It's how Dally stayed so damn charming.

Understanding that self control is not to be used heavily, meaning only with half-thought is already a valuable lesson to begin with.
learn to wink then blink twice
Don't center your mind on it, rather push it to the back where it sticks permanently. Realization will come once this is achieved, for most already do this since childhood.

However I see with some it is not so...how come? What makes a woman so terrified of heights she refuses to climb onto a roof?

It is not a roof. It just is. Do what you need to do with what you perceive.

Self control means doing things sometimes thoughtlessly. Now advanced self control means doing things without a thought. (*Which I, of course have achieved) twinkle and smile!

Why? silly...

Because you can have self control or master it. Umm like, you can play a part, or be a part.
oh it seems i confused that little head of mine....
So where does it come from? GOOD QUESTION!

Oh boy...logically, the brain. Illogically however, and ironically correct, is from a need or desire, though it would have to be a very strong desire indeed somewhat like the desire fat people have for devouring hamburgers at odd hours of the night.

Yes, you're right! That was a WRONG example!

Find the right one.

Getting In, Not Coming Out

Happy Valentines Day for all the LIL's who celebrate. No I have nothing against Losers In Love I simply think that's what they are. It also so happens I too bought roses and balloons for my current someone, so don't consider yourself outcasts.

Today we will talk about getting into character, as opposed to building one. This will be short as I have little time to get into mine for our scene showing.

*Intersting fact that just popped in: Actors have a one-percent higher chance at schizophrenia than most of us*

Lucky me, I'm part of a very exclusive study haha!

Anyhoots, usually when people we see daily like Mom, Dad, brothers, friends, we don't actually see them but their character. We judge by the style they put out and the way they present themselves *Review last post for full re-cap*

Well how do you guys get into character each morning? Most of you already do it subconciously/automatically. This is very true for me as well.
The only difference is for a good 8 years I had to keep it up all the time, including nights of drinking/tripping and fucking. *I highly suggest for any person who wants to make a presentable impression to save the hard alcohol for the home, k?*

So how did I get into character?

After building, I'd first actually use a mirror and change myself to fit my character as I saw her. Not just physical looks but obviously personality, energy, style and expressions. I had to change the way I walked, dressed and then feel comfortable in my new skin. I also had to remind myself, while I may have looked like Dally I was still a person that had once existed. I thought it would be easy to bring back but not really lol.

Perhaps you can find a loophole around it?

I know lots of you guys live to act and this is a fun (but sightly dangerous) way of expanding in a short amount of time.

Or you could just build from the ground up.

And the Prophecy Said....

"Be not afraid, but act wisely. Stare but never let your eyes linger. Most of all remember what thou art, but never forget who thou wants to be."

Like it? Review it. Still like it? Haha.

We won't start where we left off, kids.

Because a mind can only keep track of so much at a time, and because personally, I just don't feel like starting there right now.

We'll talk instead of characterization. Oh the very steps!

A normal person acts daily. A normal person, not an actor, has a character. They do things certain ways, present themselves with certain style. This has become vital for survival.

However it was never one of our basic needs. Food, shelter, water and for most some sense of security make up the early man's agenda.

So who was the first bloke to pick up a rock, call it a lion and start fighting it viciously making such a realistic impression that others began to watch and imitate. Watch and imitate. Repetition works, see.

So indeed, every person is an imitation of the first bloke to pick up a rock and fight it as a lion. Think about that next time you think me insane.

A Stage Door Is Opened

I think I destinctly remember using that before...oh well.

Hi, my name's not important as I'm sure you'll warm up to me without it. Everyone does.

As this is the first introduction for many of you I will be somewhat honest concerning my existence. I exist not in your world, not in Dally's reality but in my own. I lived a wonderful almost realistic life, and in this particular blog wish to capture any ideas that might have slipped past the void into forgetfullness.

So...let's begin?

For the past oh nearing 8 years you've all known someone named Dally, knowing also, this is not her real name. About 10 years ago, a little tiny tot named Nasti was wondering what the hell to do with her passion for acting that her father was basically banning her from. She wasn't satisfied by acting school and productions, wasn't at all satisfied when she landed a commercial audition and had to drag a seething Dad out of the office AFTER finding out she'd landed the thing with gas to spare. However, she let the part go and instead vowed to uphold her dignity by just doing what no one believed she could. Or what her Dad didn't want her to.

She planned, she wrote, re-wrote and worked slaving over a character that was sure to blow minds. This character became charmingly known as Dally and soon Nasti became obsessed. She took on the character when another character (And strangely enough you will soon learn that there are an infinite number of people involved in this only half of which actually own names.) named Mike* came into her life, not so accidentially. It was funny because as Nasti had laid out the plot she incorporated the details of each individual her character was to come across. Funny enough, the two characters, Mike and Dally quickly spiraled into the somewhat doomed relationship Nasti had written out for them. Oh yes it was perfect....almost.

Mike was quite the character too, and sometimes his responses coincided with what Dally was thinking so well she nearly dropped her kettle. It's happened a number of times, Dally would be spending time with Mike as was their routine and she'd find herself mouthing the words of her companion as he spoke. This of course fed her imagination more.

Now it came to a time that Dally as a created, unreal character began questioning her own sanity. At first Nasti wasn't too sure how to go about this, wondering just how far she would let herself fall into the spiral but it was a lost cause since she'd already began living as Dally. Her responses to her parents became a mix and things went blurry for a while until one pretty darn fateful evening made for a...level increase of sorts.

Mike was by no means the kind of guy Nasti would have dated, but he was exactly the guy Dally loved to fuck. Dally wasn't a whore, I'd say more of a don't matter don't care type. As Dally, Nasti could easily let go of any problems at home, or at school and pretty soon despite the dangers she fell in love with her self created character.

One night however, she had to come to the realization of a few things. 1) Just because she was a character didn't make her invincible
and 2) Her character really hated her.

It happened very quickly and was over before I realized then what I know now. Mike and Dally had a fight, (those were getting common) and a knife came into the game. Mike could have, he possibly would have, had it not been for the words "you kids cut that out!" from a neighbor. We were at the side of his house, easily seen so it ended then and there, but for once I think Nasti lost some of her cockiness and Dally realized her character was more real than Nasti had dreamt her up to be. Duh! Anyone could have told me that, right?
Well I was 14, who would I listen to?

After this incident, Dally's character bounced between mental hospitals and drugs made for a really fun ride, no doubt, but her entire being had already become too stylized, she only knew what Dally knew. Nasti had finally crossed from playing a character, to becoming that character and finally to living that character's life.

Mike was put in jail about 3 years ago. Nasti was nearing her sixteenth birthday and his family had taken her and her mother to St. Bart for a family vacation of sorts. It was shortly after their return that Mike and Dally had another confrontation but this wasn't the kind you get away with unscathed. Broken foot and a couple stitches later Dally was watching Mike get taken away in a cop car and nearly vomited. The fact was that Mike had molded Dally a great deal, while Nasti made the character, Mike directed it. This became evident when a few days later Dally was asked about their relationship. Years of acting a role had given her a lightning speed mind and she convinced the interrigation officer that Mike's intentions weren't to harm, but to better.

With Nasti running on auto-pilot Dally had her out of the way and was ready to tackle life again as a creation of a schizophrenic mind, or as my best friend used to say, an actor's greatest role.
Dally was determined to keep the plot going, in the back of her head telling herself she'd stop once she turned 18.

Next, she crossed paths with a very interesting person but that's for another time children! hahaha...seriously its enough for now.


*Names have been changed