Hey all!
I've just been reading the answers that Rob Lowry is posting in his AMA today and tomorrow. I felt inspired and wanted to share here. He explained he sometimes gives character playlists with actors or the party playlist if there is a party in the film. This is fun and exciting to me and reminded me about what i've heard recently. Namely that music reaches many parts of the brain including those to do with motion, memory, and reward. Including the retrieval of autobiographical memories which allows actors to access personal experiences that resonate with their character's journey. This process, known as Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memory (MEAM), can lead to more authentic and emotionally rich performances. I found this video on the impact of music on emotional memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhoaU34HQxY
What are your thoughts? And what is the song/piece of music that most helped you when developing a character?
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That's a great idea, Alexandra Stevens! I'm not an actor, but I plan on trying it when I develop characters for my scripts. Thanks for the post and sharing the video.
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Thank you for the share!!!
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Absolutely do Alexandra Stevens. I listen to a ton of soundtracks and modern orchestral (Audiomachine). For Haven from "Haven of Dante", I listened to "Gap" from the Dark Phoenix soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. For "Agents of C.O.W." I listened to "Colony" by Audiomachine. I grew up as an orchestral musician so that's most of what I know. I also write an screenplay around one song.
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I think music is such a powerful motivator as an actor to prepare to get into character. What would my character listen to? What mindset would she be in and what would be in her airpods while she's doing this? It adds emotional complexity to planning as an actor.
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Using music to develop your character's biography was one of the things suggested in acting class. I know that there are actors who make a playlist for the character and listen to while in hair and makeup.
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Leonardo Ramirez I have to admit it hadn't occurred to me that as a writer you might also use music to develop a character. I also hadn't heard of audiomachine but just listening to Colony now as I tape. Only at the beginning but suspenseful and dramatic so far so I imagine it must be a powerful way to develop a character. Curious which instrument(s) you play? By the way I love Hans Zimmer. The soundtrack to True Romance makes my heart sing even after all these years.
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Andrea Thompson Yes indeed! I wonder what the last character you played did listen to?
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Suzanne Bronson thanks for sharing. I must try that. The more ways to connect with a character and add complexity and layers the better. Do you make character playlists ?
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I’ve not heard the soundtrack to True Romance Alexandra Stevens - I’ll have to give that a listen. As far as instruments go, I started with guitar and some drums but later moved on to singing. Got some training and later got to sing with the Houston Masterworks Chorus which was fun. Growing up in orchestra and band I played the French Horn. My band and orchestra years were so much fun. I haven’t played the horn in many years - would love to pick it back up. Recently, I started playing the piano. Sorry if that sounded all over the place. I went from one extreme style of music to the other.
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Leonardo Ramirez wow! So many instruments! I imagine your musicality and singing experience is an asset for the voiceover work you're doing?
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Absolutely Alexandra Stevens. The breathing techniques learned for singing are very useful in VO. The deep breathes rooted in the gut help me not run out of breath mid-line. I also use them in warming up.
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Music has the power to make you forget everything.....or takes you back to remember it all again.
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Yes Alexandra Stevens I do. I also once wrote a one act play inspired by a song.
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Ooh! Which song?
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Indeed Mike Hall ! I just checked out Invincible on your Sound Cloud and I can totally see how it could have that power