Acting

That's so true, Leonardo Ramirez! As Tammy mentioned, you have to find inner purpose. Not everyone yells when angry or in every situation where they're angry. Some people shut down, some cry, and there are many different ways to lash out or show that kind of emotion. So you should be making choices as an actor that feel right to the scene and the character that you're portraying.

Thank you for sharing these great tips Tammy. In acting class, doing scenes from plays, I was taught to read the entire play first, as many times other characters provide information about your character that may not be in any scenes you're in. I was told to look at a script as "the most important moments in the characters' lives." Which goes to your point about motivation. What is your character's overall objective, what does your character want from the other characters in this scene?

"Acting should feel effortless." I agree. When you know your lines, have created your backstory and are fully present and connected to the other actors, you will feel the emotions. "Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances."

This is invaluable advice Tammy Hunt! Every actor should read this!

The last point about emotions is spot-on Tammy Hunt !

Yes you're right - actors stop using lines as an excuse. Acting is not about the lines anyway.

Maurice Vaughan I tell them to stop ACTING. instead - becomethe person they’re playing.

Sounds like a great technique, Fran Harris. Can't wait to see "Rapper's Delight"!

Fran Harris , I’ve watched your reel. And you, obviously can very naturally and comfortably "BE". It's a whole other game for inexperienced actors... especially on stage. If asking them to ‘just be’ or ‘become’ the character is not working, try speaking to them in terms of the emotion you are wanting them to convey, and help them get there that way. If you’re giving them somewhat of a line reading, this will not likely stick if they don’t understand the emotion, or intent behind it. And you might find that if the emotional connection is made to the playwright/directors intent, the line can often be said in more than one way. Best wishes and congrats on getting this up!

As an actor Fran Harris I have a different perspective. That is the beauty of rehearsal, it's about discovery. Being present, being your character, and being connected to your scene partner, being in the moment, sometimes things happen that didn't happen before. Rehearsal is all about those happy accidents, and figuring out what the actor needs to do for it to happen again, or how to adjust when -uncontrollable tears for example- occurs. If the actor has done their homework and broken down the script, they know their objective and the emotions come naturally. Line readings are never the same way twice. Every performance of a play is different.

Fran Harris Just stop ACTING. instead - become the person you're playing.

Jim has great tips on learning dialect. Thanks for sharing the tips and resources, Tammy Hunt.

Thank you Tammy. I have never heard of these resources. So glad you shared them. We have come a long way from when I was listening to dialect cassette tapes in the car. Ha

This is a terrific resource that I never knew about - thanks, Tammy Hunt!

Leonardo Ramirez thanks for watching. It was risky putting up an hourlong video, but she had so many great nuggets right up until the end!

Thanks, Sam, watching and sharing!

I'm glad you did, Matthew Cornwell. Lots of great info!

This is a fantastic idea for a series Matthew Cornwell I subscribed to your channel and shared the video . I come from the theater so I am used to doing my own makeup. You usually do your own makeup as an extra as well, unless there are "special effects" This is gtk for when one does get that day player role.

Suzanne Bronson thanks for subscribing and sharing! I can't wait to release the rest. We just dropped the 2nd one today where I sit down with a DP. Next one will be a Basecamp PA.

I have had complete strangers shake their finger at me and tell me, "You HAVE to listen to what others are saying to you.:" My response, "I don;t HAVE to do anything." And they get angry with me. It's interesting to me that it seems to be a film and television thing. Never once doing theater have as a fellow actor told me I should play it this way or that way. We all defer to the director and act as a team.

This is so interesting. I think there are a lot of angry extras who believe they should have roles in these projects and are bitter.

I have heard extras complain that someone might have gotten cast to say two words because they are friends with the director. That happens and I understand it.

Sometimes directors want toy be around their friends and like giving them a small role as a favor. So, to those who are angry about this, I would say, become friends with a film director.

Or, work unbelievably hard at being great and find an agent who can submit you for roles.

I agree with you. You don’t have to listen to anyone

If it is someone you respect, then take in what they have to say. Others you can listen and filter everything else, and if what is being said makes no sense then disregard their information

Thank you so much for sharing

Actors can say a lot! Without saying anything...! Freedom to express is part of the art form! Thanks Aaron!

You are so right Rachel. There is so much we say without saying a word. Thank you so much for this incredibly wise comment.

Awhh Thank YOU Aaron!! Much love:-)

Sam SokolowSam Sokolow thanks Sam) Hope you're well!

deDebbie Croysdale that's cool, if you are interested I can send you a self tape to show you what I can do, just give me an idea of a 'lost scene' from a famous movie, or your audition sides. No pressure)

Hmmm, I don't know that I have any UK actor connections, though I am sure there are UK actors lurking in this lounge. I agree with Maurice Vaughan search the Members section.

Hi if you message me I’ll give you my email. Thanks

@Alexander If you message me I’ll give you my email. Just show me what you have already is okay for now. Thanks

Thank you again for the great tips Tammy Hunt

Excellent insights as always, Tammy Hunt!

Thank you, very informative

Great callback tips (not that I ever got any when I was trying to act a long time ago :). It's so great to learn from you. Tammy Hunt - thank you!

Great tips for actors, Nancy Nave! And all creatives. Be ready.

It's easy to rush through the agent-finding process when you're excited. But looking at the whole picture is worth a quick pause to get it right the first time.

Thanks so much for this valuable information!

Grace Duah Thank you so much for donating your time and experience with us. While I was asked to appear in one commercial (what were they thinking?), acting is something I am not sure even practice could improve. But the one question that burns into me is how on earth do actors remember their lines? Even in my 30s I couldn't remember what I wrote down five minutes before. You guys make it look so easy (I know it's not). How do you remember lines?

Hi Grace Duah! Thanks so much for doing this AMA! I would love to know your thoughts on actors working for free - obviously there's always free work when you're first starting out, but how do you discern when it is or isn't worth it?

Hi Debbie Elicksen! I can assure you it's far from easy! I truly think it depends on the actor. I have actor friends who are just wonderful about memorization and can pick up an entire script and know it within hours. I unfortunately inherited my grandmother's memory, so for me I am rather meticulous in my memorization. But the main thing for me is I have to rewrite my lines on pen and paper in my own handwriting. Depending on the size of the role this can be very tedious but I have to do it regardless. I also write the lines as if they were being written in my personal journal. That way the words become my own, because I may be terrible at memorizing lines, but I am very good at knowing what I have to say. By making the lines into my own journal they just become what I wanted to say anyways to a person and with that I never forget.

Hi Emily J! I think the only time I really approve of completely free work is if it's being done in an educational capacity, whether for a student film or for a workshop for students. Other than that I believe it is unfair to ask for all the work of acting to go completely uncompensated. Now compensation can be as small as 50 bucks for two hours. Or whatever the rate may be, but a lot of work goes into acting and that work should rarely be valued as completely free. Again it's one thing if it's for educational purposes or if it's for the true love of it. Maybe as a favor for a friend, but I think there should absolutely be a standard of minimum compensation for time and work being spent regardless of the field.

Hi, Odera Ugwu. You could also post an ad on the Job Board (www.stage32.com/find-jobs).

I'm 48 Odera. I'm your huckleberry!

@Maurice Do you have to be in SAG to post a job here? I’m UK Indie freelance, whoever the producer is on the day pays the actors I direct unless production company specifies its own actors. I have a few projects I need extra actors for. Proof of concept films (2 x 20 mins long) & several table reads. Read spotlight but not found the right Irish actors yet. Sounds no biggie but projects go in front of investors. (Jobs last days but may lead to longer term for actors)

@Odera Are you directing over zoom? Just wondered cos you said distance no problem.

Hi, Debbie Croysdale. You don't have to be in SAG to post a job on the Job Board. There are non-SAG job posts on the board.

Great tips, Tammy Hunt! You mentioned airbrushing. Airbrushing is used on headshots?

Spend money! Yes it’s very worth it. Go to a professional who takes head shots for a living,

Maurice Vaughan Yes, that and of course corrective photoshopping of skin and any flyaway hairs, etc. Some is fine to do of course but it’s the overdone look that is not wanted.

Oh ok, Tammy Hunt. I think of shirts and shoes when I hear "airbrushing." Thanks for explaining.

If you can't afford headshots, you can do a trade perhaps. I would trade with a someone who is starting out as a photographer and wants to build their professional portfolio. They would take my headshots in exchange for building their portfolio and referrals.