Audition Pep Talk 2: Dig for Gold.
The worst crime that we can commit at an audition is to come totally unprepared. It would be both a waste of our time, and the production team’s. Do a bit of preparation and you can walk in there, feeling like you’re about to experience the most fun kind of workshop imaginable, and you might […]
Audition Pep Talk 1: ALTERED ATTITUDES
SCENE: You climb the stairs and reach the top. You open the door on the right. And there they sit – like 26 identical Agent Smiths, all staring at you – willing you to die. And in a chorus, they say, “Welcome Neo, to the Audition Matrix.” BLACKOUT. I’ve often wanted to write a ‘pep […]
Diary of a TV Shoot: My Day with Geoffrey Rush and Jodhi May on Nat Geo’s ‘GENIUS’
Here’s what happened today in Prague – with a few trade tips thrown in for young artists – as I did my bit on National Geographic’s first scripted TV series: GENIUS, which will air in September. Apologies for the lack of vibrant photos, but they’re not allowed on set. 5.55am: Like clockwork, a white van […]
Lesson Takeaway Tip: “Act like you don’t know how to act.”
Next week at Neuro Acting we’re going to produce a stunning revue of video monologues that spotlight the talents of our artists. I’m proud of the courageous work they’ve done so far. But a true artist knows she can take it further. And this weekend is an opportunity for Neuros to do that. Here’s some […]
What does it take to become a star?
There are two stories in the media this week that slammed into each other in my mind: stardom and the effect of social media. I’ve met and worked with quite a few stars in my time and they seem to have the same traits, so if you feel the urge to become one, read on […]
Lesson Takeaway Tip: STOP STARING AT ME.
We made a marvelous discovery this week while rehearsing Frankie’s monologue from ‘Private Peaceful’. The next time you watch someone (a non-actor) tell a story, watch them closely. Where do they look? As they remember the events, they’ll spend 90% of the time looking around, as if resurrecting the events in their mind. We could […]
The Animal Exercise: Method’s Way of Developing a Character
This week, students will be exploring the Animal Exercise, claimed by Robert De Niro* and Ethan Hawke to be “the most useful acting exercise I know.” We’ll use it to get into character for our monologues. To create a character, you must know the attitude you’re seeking. Choose the characteristic, then pick an animal. Watch […]