Difficulties

Today's topic should have come a lot sooner. but we were busy, weren't we sweetheart?

What is the most difficult part about acting a part or acting in general? This question ran out my mouth before my head could even put the words together in the beach ball game today. The beach ball game is a game we play to warm up, much like circle-sit or anything else. Someone makes a suggestion on a topic, question, or task and all follow through.

Well, it turned out I picked a good question. For me anyway. There are over 10 people in my class, 11 of which said the auditioning process. 2 said memorizing lines and one said trying to figure out what Shakespeare was trying to say LOL.

Now this is also good as an actor: Never follow the heard but be as honest with yourself as you can possibly be. So I was.

I said what scared me most about acting was the not acting part, what to do when there wasn't a character in play.

A lot of you can relate to this though you may not know it, but if you've read back when I stated every person presents themselves with certain style, and develops their own type of character you'll realize that hey--even you might not know what to do when you're not being "you".

Try this excercise: Lay flat on the floor with nothing in arms reach, at all. Remove all clothing if possible if not, belts, bras, bracelets-anything uncomfortable will do. You'll need to be completely comfy and relaxed in order to make up for how uncomfortable you will feel.

(**NOTE: This technique was not developed by me, it was passed to me from a teacher who'll remain anonymous. I have worked with this person a long time ago when I was 7 then once again when I was 12 and they have truly opened specific doors I had shut)

Enough of that, comfy? Now you'll want to close your eyes and let go of any facial expressions or tensions you might have been holding on to. Breathe deeply but not forced, and slowly let yourself fall close to sleep. Now, once you're in that state of relaxed readiness go back. Back to your least favorite memory and picture it clear as the blackness covering your eyes. DON'T MOVE! It will be tempting as the memory plays clearer and digs deeper into your brain, but do not move. tie yourself down, if you can :)

Now watch the memory, and try as much as you can to watch it without any muscle movement, even facial expression. Once that's mastered try again, this time without feeling the memory at all. If you've taken it to the point that the memory makes you laugh, you've accomplished what I wanted from you.

Stop. Do the same excercise a day later with your happiest memory. Note the results and how many times you needed to do it.

This excercise is relevant to a true actor because it makes them able to let go of any of their own feelings, or any influences and makes them a blank slate actor, which I think I mentioned on here before...it's truly satisfying to achieve that state, and also very sad.

Cloud 666 looks better every day!