Acting : Portraying Coach Mark Reynolds: My First Acting Experience with Memorized Lines by Glenn Axelrod

Glenn Axelrod

Portraying Coach Mark Reynolds: My First Acting Experience with Memorized Lines

Just wrapped up one of my first acting clip where I fully memorized short lines and acted with someone else on the other end. Three days ago, I couldn’t remember any of it, but after studying for 3.5 days and listening to the script on Speechify until it became an earworm, I was able to recite 95% without notes and speak naturally on camera. No slate here—just straight into it. It felt like going back to my military days, responding to someone with precision when asked. This is a big step forward for me, and I’m excited to share it. Let me know what you think. Before you do here's the backstory: In this clip, Head Coach Mark Reynolds of the Denver Titans (played by me) receives devastating news: star running back Elijah Daniels has suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. Joined by Phyllis Whitaker, the team's Director of Athletic Communications, Mark shares the emotional weight of facing the worst-case scenario with no clear path forward. Experience the intense dialogue and raw emotions as they discuss the harsh reality of a depleted roster, tough decisions, and the burden of leadership during a pivotal moment. Dive into this gripping scene that showcases the struggle of holding it all together when everything falls apart.

https://youtu.be/N3Hr9MHabpE

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on being able to fully memorize the lines, Glenn Axelrod! Excellent performance! I could really feel your character's despair.

Paul Molnar

That is incredible, Glenn! I once collaborated with an actor who had a unique technique for memorizing lines. He transformed his dialogue into a rap, which helped him remember the lines and added a fun rhythm to rehearsals. It was fascinating to see how he creatively approached his craft, turning a mundane task into an engaging experience. His ability to blend music with acting showcased his talent and dedication.

Glenn Axelrod

Thank you, Maurice! Yes, we went deep into this. I did miss one word in the script, but that happens. Everything else was spot on. I’ll be doing more of these. I think the next one will be from Chicago PD. I’ll pick the scene tonight, and then throughout the week, I’ll listen to it using Speechify, which is a great app for learning lines until they become an earworm through repetition. That’s what I did for this scene. Of course, I won’t tackle longer scripts until I become more proficient with these. No matter how good we are, there is always room for improvement. Compared to my last one this one was better I feel.

Glenn Axelrod

Thanks, Paul! That’s an amazing approach—turning lines into a rap must have made rehearsals a lot more fun and memorable. I love hearing about creative techniques like that; it’s inspiring how people find what works best for them. For me, using Speechify and listening to the script repeatedly has been the game-changer, turning memorization into a natural process. It’s all about finding that rhythm, whether through music or repetition, to make it stick.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Glenn Axelrod.

Pat Savage

awesome congratulations

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