It really depends on what the problem is. If I'm not putting enough time into sitting down and going through my lines then it is a problem on my end. If it has to do with me not grasping the full weight of the words then I will sit down with my director and work out the line's meaning until it makes sense. I just had an experience where I just could not learn this little 2 sentence line. The words just did not make sense to me at all. Finally I sat down with my director and we spent a half hour really delving into what was happening in the scene and what the words should mean to my character. From then on they really stuck. Learning lines is all about connecting your character's thoughts. If you aren't connecting the thoughts then you are just reciting words. Learning lines, to me anyway, is about more than just learning the words, it is truly learning who your character is and how they think.
I have an audition tomorrow with two lines for a commercial, a tongue twister. I've walked around the house for two days, saying the lines, worked out..saying the lines, faced the bathroom mirror...saying the lines, and said the lines to my husband, fifty times. I'll let you know what works, after tomorrow. :)
Instead of just memorising one sentence at a time: 1. read and visualise/imagine the whole scene/story, the mood, emotion etc (incl the other actor(s) bits). After you get that down pat, 2. then focus on your lines, especially they it relate to the story (try to call to mind similar personal experiences or scenes/lines from movies that you've seen before, especially those you know well). The key to memorising is association. The more you practise it, day-to-day, the better you'll get - at remembering or memorising anything - not just your acting roles.
When I write dialogue for a character, I feel the words I am writing. Try feeling the emotion after each line you write. That might help. You get into the roll mentally reading the script.... FEEL the emotions of the words you are reading. Might Help.
Got a Mac? Get the Line Buddy app. Feed your script into it and it revises it into its own format and reads back all the dialogue in a variety of synth voices. You can set it up to skip your character's lines enabling you to "rehearse" whenever.
Thanks, Phinias, and it went really well...now, if the director had not asked me to take a basketball and pass it afterwards (pretend to) i would have felt like I aced it. As is...I felt I did my very best. And I was happy with my audition. This is a healthcare spot for the over 60s. Now, it's up to a higher god...The director. LOL Good luck with your next casting! I want to hear all about it.
Thank you all for your heartfelt responses, and Joyce that's real kind of you, and I'm sure I am going to use all of your feedback as I venture into this great journey.
Dont focus on remembering the words but what the action of the scene and what is progressing. I focused on any big words or main verbs in each phrase which helps, other than that, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse,
Exactly No Le Picante.... feel the emotion of what you are saying. With looks like that, I don't think anyone would notice if he stumbled over some words SMILE
I use association, try to imagine the scene and think like the character, what would your character do in the situation? and rehearse all the time you can.
Tape record your lines and listen to them WHILE you also look at them on the page and WHILE you also say them aloud. You are using all the senses simultaneously. Also, listen to the lines when you are going to sleep. Your brain will work on them while you are sleeping if they are the last thing you hear as you are falling off to sleep.
When I first get a script, I always just look at my characters history/ backstory. I look at my scene objective and life objective. Once I have this research down I start to "action/verb" my lines. When I write verbs beside each of my lines, it helps me get away from trying to memorize a line and instead gets me to play out the intention of the line. When I play the intention, the dialogue just comes out as second nature , and you could throw the worry of memorization out the door.
A lot of good advice. When I start a new play, I record all of the lines of the scenes my character will be in, using different voices for each character. I try to become each character when I record it. I then play it back and say my lines with the audio until I have it mostly memorized. At that point, I'll play it back and mute my parts, and say the lines. While I'm reading, I'll try to visualize the blocking for each scene, and try to feel the emotion of each character. Basically, I try to become that character, so the actions and emotions look real and not scripted.
I use sight, hearing, and imagery. I read over and over and over again aloud. Knowing every ones lines. Most important is knowing the story. I was taught to visualize the story as third person. Like I was a witness; this happened and then this happened and this happened next. Once I know the story and see what's going on in my mind in detail. I create my character and I put my myself in the scene as I know the story.
Release the fear first : say LEARNING LINES IS EASY and nothing else. Drill with associations and intentions , not just by rote and.... LEARNING LINE IS EASY as your mantra. or put lines on a tape and listen to them. Move around and say them.... and LEARING LINES IS EASY is a key belief to practice.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, there is an awesome app called "Rehearsal." It has become my #1 tool for memorizing lines. You can upload your scripts and highlight, make notes, and record the lines. I play the recording on a loop, especially in my carbon the way to an audition. I absolutely love it!!
RIGHT Rehearsal 2 !! thank you Lisa forgot ALL about it and I show the tool of in my class. But it is 19.99 , a pricey app, but I learn all my tv shows with it now. Still you must engage the memory muscle but at least with this tool it is a DIALOGUE.
Yes Caryn, it is pricey compared to most apps, but to me it's worth every penny. I live in LA and spend way too much time in my car, so being able to repeat the lines over and over while driving is time very well spent!
I was just told that one of the reasons the director liked an actor that had auditioned for the film I wrote, was that he memorized the "history" of the house in the script, within 10 minutes. Impressive memory!
Create a better time allocation schedule. We all have different methods, I am a visual person so sitting down with my script and just hammering it out is what gets the results I need for my scene/s. I learn mine by rote e la Meisner, it works beautifully to get your lines in your subconscious so you're working more naturally with your partner versus looking like you're waiting to say your lines :)
I developed Somatic Memorization Technique (S.M.T.). It's not a gimmick, it's a proven technique that trains your right & left brain to work together to absorb the content faster. My students will memorize 4 - 6 pages of dialogue in about 30 minutes. But it's like going to the gym, you have to exercise your brain if you want results. See reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Working-Actors-Guide-Memorize-S-M-T/dp/B004J4XUBE/...
Damn, some Anglo women in the Southern Hemisphere REALLY need to check their thirst which seems to be bordering on fetishization. No matter how you look, an actor still has to put in the work to master their craft especially if one wants a long-term career. Anyway, be easy and good luck on the path.
Little thing I was told when wanting to get up in the morning at a certain time. Say 7 o'clock. Bump your head seven times before going to sleep counting 1-7. You wake up at exactly that time. Now, I am not suggesting you bump your head while thinking of your lines, just had to say tis all.
I go outside with the script and YELL the lines. In this way they stick really fast. Don't ask me why... it just does. In this way I can just get on the set and in 10 minutes be able to shoot an entire scene. Tell me if it works for you too! http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4701284/
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It really depends on what the problem is. If I'm not putting enough time into sitting down and going through my lines then it is a problem on my end. If it has to do with me not grasping the full weight of the words then I will sit down with my director and work out the line's meaning until it makes sense. I just had an experience where I just could not learn this little 2 sentence line. The words just did not make sense to me at all. Finally I sat down with my director and we spent a half hour really delving into what was happening in the scene and what the words should mean to my character. From then on they really stuck. Learning lines is all about connecting your character's thoughts. If you aren't connecting the thoughts then you are just reciting words. Learning lines, to me anyway, is about more than just learning the words, it is truly learning who your character is and how they think.
3 people like this
I have an audition tomorrow with two lines for a commercial, a tongue twister. I've walked around the house for two days, saying the lines, worked out..saying the lines, faced the bathroom mirror...saying the lines, and said the lines to my husband, fifty times. I'll let you know what works, after tomorrow. :)
2 people like this
Lol...thanks guys. And Joyce make sure you let me know,
3 people like this
Instead of just memorising one sentence at a time: 1. read and visualise/imagine the whole scene/story, the mood, emotion etc (incl the other actor(s) bits). After you get that down pat, 2. then focus on your lines, especially they it relate to the story (try to call to mind similar personal experiences or scenes/lines from movies that you've seen before, especially those you know well). The key to memorising is association. The more you practise it, day-to-day, the better you'll get - at remembering or memorising anything - not just your acting roles.
6 people like this
When I write dialogue for a character, I feel the words I am writing. Try feeling the emotion after each line you write. That might help. You get into the roll mentally reading the script.... FEEL the emotions of the words you are reading. Might Help.
2 people like this
Use a digital recorder and have it played back use ear phones and use your script.
2 people like this
Try memorizing from the last word back and going to the end each time. You will have said it enough times to have it down
1 person likes this
Got a Mac? Get the Line Buddy app. Feed your script into it and it revises it into its own format and reads back all the dialogue in a variety of synth voices. You can set it up to skip your character's lines enabling you to "rehearse" whenever.
3 people like this
Thanks, Phinias, and it went really well...now, if the director had not asked me to take a basketball and pass it afterwards (pretend to) i would have felt like I aced it. As is...I felt I did my very best. And I was happy with my audition. This is a healthcare spot for the over 60s. Now, it's up to a higher god...The director. LOL Good luck with your next casting! I want to hear all about it.
1 person likes this
Thank you all for your heartfelt responses, and Joyce that's real kind of you, and I'm sure I am going to use all of your feedback as I venture into this great journey.
2 people like this
You can do it.....Phinias Elijah.
Oh yes I can. And thanks Janet Scott
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You are welcome.... If the face fits.... and YOU certainly do....
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Dont focus on remembering the words but what the action of the scene and what is progressing. I focused on any big words or main verbs in each phrase which helps, other than that, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse,
1 person likes this
Exactly No Le Picante.... feel the emotion of what you are saying. With looks like that, I don't think anyone would notice if he stumbled over some words SMILE
1 person likes this
Eat a protein bar
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I use association, try to imagine the scene and think like the character, what would your character do in the situation? and rehearse all the time you can.
2 people like this
Tape record your lines and listen to them WHILE you also look at them on the page and WHILE you also say them aloud. You are using all the senses simultaneously. Also, listen to the lines when you are going to sleep. Your brain will work on them while you are sleeping if they are the last thing you hear as you are falling off to sleep.
2 people like this
Memorize by creating the scene in my room, practice in the mirror, and pretend I'm speaking to others.
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Don't learn the lines, let the lines learn you.
3 people like this
The Sanford Meisner method could help you a lot with that. It works for me. I wish you the best with that.
2 people like this
When I first get a script, I always just look at my characters history/ backstory. I look at my scene objective and life objective. Once I have this research down I start to "action/verb" my lines. When I write verbs beside each of my lines, it helps me get away from trying to memorize a line and instead gets me to play out the intention of the line. When I play the intention, the dialogue just comes out as second nature , and you could throw the worry of memorization out the door.
Ditto, Massimo. Put the character and circumstances first, always!
1 person likes this
Spot on, Massimo. It's always about the intention, what's "behind the line". Without the those, the line is just words on a page, nothing more.
2 people like this
A lot of good advice. When I start a new play, I record all of the lines of the scenes my character will be in, using different voices for each character. I try to become each character when I record it. I then play it back and say my lines with the audio until I have it mostly memorized. At that point, I'll play it back and mute my parts, and say the lines. While I'm reading, I'll try to visualize the blocking for each scene, and try to feel the emotion of each character. Basically, I try to become that character, so the actions and emotions look real and not scripted.
1 person likes this
Yes... connect to the words.....feel the emotion of what you are saying....
1 person likes this
I use sight, hearing, and imagery. I read over and over and over again aloud. Knowing every ones lines. Most important is knowing the story. I was taught to visualize the story as third person. Like I was a witness; this happened and then this happened and this happened next. Once I know the story and see what's going on in my mind in detail. I create my character and I put my myself in the scene as I know the story.
Release the fear first : say LEARNING LINES IS EASY and nothing else. Drill with associations and intentions , not just by rote and.... LEARNING LINE IS EASY as your mantra. or put lines on a tape and listen to them. Move around and say them.... and LEARING LINES IS EASY is a key belief to practice.
3 people like this
If you have an iPhone or iPad, there is an awesome app called "Rehearsal." It has become my #1 tool for memorizing lines. You can upload your scripts and highlight, make notes, and record the lines. I play the recording on a loop, especially in my carbon the way to an audition. I absolutely love it!!
RIGHT Rehearsal 2 !! thank you Lisa forgot ALL about it and I show the tool of in my class. But it is 19.99 , a pricey app, but I learn all my tv shows with it now. Still you must engage the memory muscle but at least with this tool it is a DIALOGUE.
Yes Caryn, it is pricey compared to most apps, but to me it's worth every penny. I live in LA and spend way too much time in my car, so being able to repeat the lines over and over while driving is time very well spent!
hear ya...
I was just told that one of the reasons the director liked an actor that had auditioned for the film I wrote, was that he memorized the "history" of the house in the script, within 10 minutes. Impressive memory!
1 person likes this
Create a better time allocation schedule. We all have different methods, I am a visual person so sitting down with my script and just hammering it out is what gets the results I need for my scene/s. I learn mine by rote e la Meisner, it works beautifully to get your lines in your subconscious so you're working more naturally with your partner versus looking like you're waiting to say your lines :)
I developed Somatic Memorization Technique (S.M.T.). It's not a gimmick, it's a proven technique that trains your right & left brain to work together to absorb the content faster. My students will memorize 4 - 6 pages of dialogue in about 30 minutes. But it's like going to the gym, you have to exercise your brain if you want results. See reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Working-Actors-Guide-Memorize-S-M-T/dp/B004J4XUBE/...
Damn, some Anglo women in the Southern Hemisphere REALLY need to check their thirst which seems to be bordering on fetishization. No matter how you look, an actor still has to put in the work to master their craft especially if one wants a long-term career. Anyway, be easy and good luck on the path.
3 people like this
Experience the word! Relax! breathe...find a rhythm. Give birth to a word each time you read it, each time you say it. "Rose"...a rose is a rosé is a rosé... practice saying rose after you experience whatever, can one image even the fine details you are transmitting about a rose...the smell, the juice, the color, the romance...do not be timid with this transmission. Do that by emphasizing in your mouth and vocal track muscle memory the key words, the ones you make a choice about, even a bad choice helps; exaggerating big in your mouth, like you want somebody to read your lips, launch the words from there, make each one land on somebody or something. If you digest your words that way you won't go up on your words on stage because even that would be a new experience with the words. Embrace having it different each time. Embrace making mistakes. Be real. There are other things to do.
1 person likes this
Little thing I was told when wanting to get up in the morning at a certain time. Say 7 o'clock. Bump your head seven times before going to sleep counting 1-7. You wake up at exactly that time. Now, I am not suggesting you bump your head while thinking of your lines, just had to say tis all.
I go outside with the script and YELL the lines. In this way they stick really fast. Don't ask me why... it just does. In this way I can just get on the set and in 10 minutes be able to shoot an entire scene. Tell me if it works for you too! http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4701284/