Acting : Complete this sentence: "Acting is... by Karen "Kay" Ross

I did seven years at community theatre and drama section as an actor plus a few movies and commercials and I must say....I HATE IT! It's most difficult work I've ever encountered (looks so easy, I know)... Even today I'm afraid to take another assignment even for money...so kudos and hat's down 'till bottom to every person doing this for a living, no matter they're big stars or small time method actors...

In response to Ms. Ross who invited me to join the conversation today.

Karen "Kay" Ross

Community Manager at Stage32 ♦ Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Voice Actor, Actor

posted in Acting

3 weeks ago

Complete this sentence: "Acting is...

Insider is doing this series where Acting Coaches analyze different kinds of scenes. This one is on "rage scenes", which can clearly be overdone (or over-edited). But the wisdom I'm reminded of from today's video is...

"Acting is... listening first, and responding to the most important stimuli next."

What about you? And how did you enjoy the breakdown?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVeQUbF9pqA

I loved the breakdown. It completely illustrates why I have learned to utilize and old maxim from various professors and instructors with whom I have worked on stage technique, including make=up.

Particularly this is true in film, but just as important on stage. The differences between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson both are using control, but in various ways while being cognizant of the camera angles and screen shots they are in, as well as the degree to which they sustain intensity. I worked with a number of excellent directors in my youth who got it across to me that stage acting is sometimes so often broad, that actors who utilize the stage to chew up the scenery do not translate their energy to film. The camera picks up every blemish, bead of sweat, lip quiver and all sorts of things which are not so readily controlled as physical body movement. The truth is that to some degree, directing yourself in the way that you turn, drift, let small gestures guide you and how much control you exercise on you speed to react, you create different levels of menace. Proximity to other characters in the films shown, as well as the degree they lean into moving, while screaming almost perceptibly from an outdoor scene to an interior shot carries with it the stamp of a cinematographer whose edits benefit the actor and achieve what the director wants. All scripts have a certain degree of direction given in the parenthesis

I discovered that a speed reading course in high school, benefited me with the ability to read ahead while delivering my lines looking at the actor to whom I'm speaking. Nothing speaks better of your involvement in relating to the characters on stage or on screen better than not being glued to your script. Even if you do not speed read, consider using small gestures, expressions indicating you are thinking and mulling over what you are about to say, while engaging the fellow actor/actors in the moment. Missing out on the satisfaction of playing an ensemble is one of the worst losses in the ephemeral world of acting. Be remembered because you share stage, and share the emotional content. It's worth every second you work together. That is ensemble and brilliant rendering of a scene.

GREAT lesson, Michael John Peterson - LESS IS MORE! YASS! * long-distance high-five *

Thank you Karen “Kay” Ross. You post was a reminder to me of things which have served me well in creating auditions. One particularly was momentous when fellow auditioned/actors and I enjoyed each other’s connection In real time. Sadly, we were All cast but the film never materialized.

Listening first, then reacting is what us humans naturally do. So Implementing that onto the screen is what makes it real. good video