Welcome back! I hope you have enjoyed our Quick Audition Tips Series so far. For this series, we are focusing on three key areas that guest blogger/CD Danielle Eskinazi and I have agreed are essential Audition Tips for actors everywhere:
3. Make A Choice!
Please comment away and we would love to hear your feedback on Twitter and the blog comments itself. Enjoy!
BH: Here is one of life's interesting conundrums: we have the ability to make choices, but we never seem to know what to actually choose. Choices can range from simple to complex or trivial to life-altering. Choices are all around us and in many ways, our choices define us. One would assume that because we are faced with a myriad of choices each day, we would also be adept at making those choices. Not so fast.
Take the group of friends that are hanging out on Friday night trying to decide where to go for dinner. Ideas are presented. Suggestions are fielded. Options are mentioned. Conflict generally ensues. Where should they go? They all sound like good options. UGH...what should they do?
Take the person who is getting ready for a date trying to decide what to wear. Ideas are presented. Items are laid out and pondered. Clothes are tried on. Second, third (and fourth?) opinions are sought out. Conflict generally ensues. What should they wear? What should they do?
Take the actor heading into an audition. They read the sides and notes that accompany it. They practice and rehearse. They share it with other actor friends and coaches. Conflict generally ensues. What should they really do with this character? What if the other actors do the same thing they do? What should they do?
DE: Here we go, this is when instincts should kick in. Absolutely make your choices! This is why you take acting classes, work hard and rehearse your sides. We love when you make bold choices, but also be ready to let all of it go when we redirect you. We have had tons of conversations with the director and they will tell us what they are looking for in a scene. When we redirect you, you must let go of what you brought in to the audition.
BH: It is so easy for people to get "analysis paralysis" with their choices in life. In these examples, the friends, prospective date and actor got caught up in the mire of too many choices or a lack of confidence in going for the one they really wanted to take. Instead of being bold and decisive, they all wavered, wobbled, and wondered their way out of a decision because they spent too much time deliberating and debating rather than processing their options and being decisive.
As a self-proclaimed "word nerd," I love to look into the actual original meaning of a word. The word 'choice' is directly related to 'choose' which interestingly enough originally meant "to taste, or try." Think about that for a second. Our choices are like a tray of food brought before us. What we taste and like, we keep and go back for more. What we taste and don't like we throw out and never try again.
The interesting thing here is that the actual process of choosing or tasting is what is so valuable. Let's look at this for you actors out there: So many actors are presented with this wonderful tray of foods in front of you. There are several choices or tastes that could be made and discovered right there at that moment. And what generally happens? You wisely avoid the ones they dislike. Looking over the tray, you see a wide variety of new options, but you don't know if they'll be good for you. So you go for your safe favorites, the one you know best. You play it safe. You go with what you know. Or perhaps (and most tragically), you scan the tray, see a few items that pique your interest, only to pull your hand back altogether and make no choice at all.
DE: Making choices as an actor -- there's the rub. So many actors worry about the created obstacles in their head asking: Am I making the right choices? Am I making the wrong choices? Did they like the choices I made? The bottom line is we want you to come in with all the confidence you can muster up. Even if the choice you made isn't what we are looking for it's ok, this is why we're here is to adjust you. Once we adjust you we depend on you to follow it through that's what makes an actor that is present and in the moment. Learn from the direction we give you be open to it and you will do well.
BH: What's the takeaway here? The best choices are the ones you actually make! It is so important to be decisive with your acting. Be bold with your choices. Stop settling for the basic, mundane and safe choices. Try something fresh, bold, or different. The great news is that if you are acting, you are in the right place for bold, fresh and risky thinking. Playwright John Patrick Shanley said it best:
"Theatre is the safe place to do the unsafe things that need to be done."
DE: This is exactly right. We have all the information that is needed for you to succeed and we want to share it with you. But come in with something, something different, and/or something that separates you from the other actors. This will be appreciated because the choice you made is YOUR choice and that always goes a long way. Choosing this profession is not an easy choice. But if this is your passion and this is where you're supposed to be, then bravo, and good for you. You are one of the fortunate ones that will follow what your heart tells you. Knowledge is powerful. Learn from it and make it your own.
BH: Does all of this sound too good to be true? Think of it is easier said then done. But all is not lost. All of these things we talked about can be learned and developed. Not sure how to do that? Start by finding a class, coach or colleague that will keep you on your toes with your choices and won't let you rest on your safety net. We all know that TRUE growth and TRUE learning occur when the safety net is taken out from under us. Find a coach or class that encourages you to take bold (but wise) choices with your work. This doesn't mean do whatever you want, say whatever you want or dress however you want. There are still rules and structure to a scene or audition situation. The trick is staying within the parameters of the truth of the scene while finding a way to be bold, fresh and exciting with your choice. And remember, always be decisive and bold with your acting choices.
Great post! You should always be confident and make bold decisions as an actor. Mostly you just have to do what feels right for yourself and the character; when you do this it makes the performance look and feel more natural and not as if you're "acting". You don't have to go overboard with the boldness but the key is being confident in your decision.. Go with your gut!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Anything that allows you to be more natural and organic is ALWAYS a great choice.
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