Acting

Personally, I love improvising lines. My words feel so much more authentic, alive, and natural when I do. The downside, of course, is remembering what I improvised—especially if the director/acting teacher says, ‘That was great! Do it exactly like that again!’ And suddenly, I have no idea what I just said!

Hi, Aaron Marcus. Hope you had a great weekend. I lost interest in the Oscars a while ago, but I got the interest back this year because of some of the nominated films (like The Substance, Nickel Boys, The Wild Robot, and Alien: Romulus) and Conan O’Brien. I wasn't able to see the Oscars this year since the ABC app didn't have coverage in my area, but I watched some of the highlights. Conan's opening monologue was hilarious.

I see your point. How do you compare movies and performances, especially when they're so different?

I agree with what you are saying Aaron. Art is so subjective that ranking films feels more like an industry exercise than an objective truth. But at the same time, awards do help highlight work that might otherwise go unnoticed. Maybe the real issue isn’t the idea of ranking films, but the way the industry decides what 'greatness' looks like? P.s I was interested to hear about your unconventional life. I think it takes courage to walk a different path from the majority

So fascinating and truly impressive! Thanks for sharing Zuzi's post – I really enjoyed it!

You're welcome, Sydney S. I really enjoyed this blog too! A must-read!

This sounds like a helpful exercise, Alexandra Stevens! A great exercise!

Thank you Maurice Vaughan . Glad you think so. Could be useful for anyone really, not just actors.

You're welcome, Alexandra Stevens. I was thinking the same thing. Other people can use this exercise. Thanks for sharing it.

Hi, Alexandra. Thank you for your positive comments. There is a lot of a preparation before a scene is shot. I would assume that an actress or an actor would react/interpret the scene in their own creative manner that could be different from how a storyboard artist illustrates a scene. I don’t know how directors work with actors and actresses regarding storyboards. I know that boards are needed for the cinematographer to prep the shots. Blocking/framing/lighting are other elements that go into the scene along with the performance of the actress/actor in that scene, what emotional quality they could bring that serves the film.

I never rely on any actors or actresses when doing boards, because, I believe/assume that no one has been casted yet. A director or a producer contacts me with the script, I read it and then I breakdown the scenes, see how many boards I will have to draw. It’s a visual blueprint for the director and the cinematographer to have. I have to think about angle shots and how each scene transitions from panel to panel. Try to put a lot of effort into it, as oppose to phoning it in. Do the best I can. I highly recommend to anyone in the film industry to watch tons of films and study various visual techniques/acting styles etc., to understand all the aspects of visual storytelling.

That’s a great question. I am not sure. I don’t know what happens on set, whether a director uses storyboards for the actor or actress when they are filming. Again, I know that a director and a cinematographer will need boards for preproduction. What I like about what I posted-my storyboard and the close up shot of the actress-is to see the transformation of the scene from the board- a tight close up shot of an eye-to a low angle close up of the actress. And also notice the lighting/facial expression and framing of the shot. These are other key elements that serves the scene, whereas the board is the framework. So many ideas and concepts go into the scene.

Again, thank you for your positive comments and will be posting more work soon. Have a great weekend! All the best.

This is such a great breakdown of the collaborative nature of filmmaking, Rich Terdoslavich! It’s always fascinating to see how a scene evolves from script to storyboard to the final frame. The comparison between a performer interpreting a scene like a singer interpreting a song is beautiful.

Hi Rich Terdoslavich Thanks for explaining more about how you go about thinking about and preparing for making storyboards. I admit to not knowing much about it. I’m impressed by the work , artistic and technical skill it must require! Look forward to more posts from you in due course

Hi, Ashley! Thank you for your positive comments. I think actors/actresses and singers/musicians have the ability/challenge to express their interpretation of a scene in a film.play or a singer cutting tracks with lyrics in hand, recording in a studio. That’s why certain actors or singers own that character or that song. There are probably great actors who can do Streetcar, but Brando always come to mind or songs that Sinatra recorded. Anyone else can do it, but you think of Frank with It Was A Very Good Year. Again, thank you for what you wrote and talk to you soon!

Thanks, Alexandra! I enjoy doing boards, because you get to visualize the scenes and start composing them. You make creative choices/decisions as to how to draw these scenes and how they will interconnect. Thank you for liking my work and I will be posting more artwork soon. All the best and have a great weekend!

This is such great insight, Tammy Hunt! The point about using lines as an excuse really resonates. So often, actors get caught up in the mechanics of memorization rather than truly understanding the scene. It’s about living in the moment and making choices, not just reciting words.

I also really appreciate the reminder to read the entire script when possible. A character doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and knowing the full context makes performances so much richer.

Hi Tammy Hunt Thank you for this very helpful point that not having learned the lines is an excuse. And also for the reminder that to learn our lines we need to have done the work of character development. I also agree that knowing the whole of the script helps with learning our lines. I guess the avoiding of learning lines is a fear of ‘failing i.e if we learn our lines and still don’t act well then we will have ‘failed’. Similarly I guess the ‘forcing’ of emotion (which I have been guilty of) in order to impress is because we have a ‘not good enough” negative belief running in the background. So we overcompensate by ‘forcing’ emotion. Tackling these negative beliefs can be another way to make our acting more effortless. I wonder how others feel about the learning of lines?

Hey Ferris, welcome to Stage 32! We’re so excited to have you here! I love Dallas :) such a fun city! It’s awesome to see your drive and determination to break into the industry. With your headshots, demo reel, and passion, you’re already on the right path !!

If you’re looking for some great resources to help you along the way, we have some fantastic educational opportunities for actors! I will link below.

- Stage 32 4-Hour Acting Intensive Workshop: Develop your audition process to book more work! https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-4-hour-acting-intens...

- Actors: How to Get Noticed by a Casting Director: A great guide to help you stand out in the casting process! https://www.stage32.com/education/products/actors-how-to-get-noticed-by-...

If you have any questions or need more guidance, feel free to reach out to me or email me and the team at edu@stage32.com You’ve got this! Keep pushing forward, and building your network!

Hi Ferris. A warm welcome from me too. I love your enthusiasm, determination and ambition. I'm sure it will take you a long way! I wonder what kind of specific opportunities you are looking for? With regard to mentors, I think networking within this community (as you are already doing) is a great way to go. Just reaching out to people of interest and having conversations - without necessarily knowing where they will lead but just folloing your curiosity - in my experience is very fruitful. Here is a blog article on it. I'm happy to answer any more questions questions. Wishing you a wonderful day https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaborati...

Welcome, Ferris

Welcome to Stage 32, Ferris Vasser! This is a great place to build connections and grow your career. A great way to network here is by engaging in the lounges regularly—join discussions, offer insights, and ask questions. You can also connect directly with casting directors and industry professionals through the platform’s education, webinars, and pitch sessions. Networking is all about building genuine relationships, so stay active, contribute to conversations, and opportunities will come your way! Best of luck on your journey!

Hi Alexandra Stevens

Hi Omari Washington

It means a lot to me, and definitely to all other readers

Thanks for sharing; I'd love to see your movie, I'm waiting!

Congratulations on your film Omari!

Hi Omari, Thank you for your wonderful contribution.I love all the great information you supply.

These are some excellent lessons, Omari Washington! The setback with your DP must have been incredibly frustrating, but it’s inspiring to see how you pushed forward and turned it into a learning experience. Pre-production and contracts are absolutely crucial, and your point about hiring the best crew you can afford really resonates.Cutting corners can end up costing way more in the long run. Looking forward to hearing more about Back Burner as the release gets closer!

Gosh! Talk about passion for the job if Walter took in this role despite his extreme phobia about snakes! I think i have lots of fears but one would be forgetting my lines and freezing. Another is getting a 'perfect take' and then there is a techical failure.

Walton Goggins is one of my favorite actors in the business. I'm so glad he was ok! He's killing it in the new season of White Lotus.

Alexandra Stevens , I think these words help me a little bit to keep going and not let go of the "dream", but I find difficult this "enjoy the path" thing. Maybe the most important and precious thing Jean-Claude Van Damme talks about is this awareness ("be aware") - when you ask yourself questions like "what I want to do". I think that when you become aware is in a way like if you are trapped in a very large, dense, crowd of people, and somehow you find a way to get your head above, out of the crowd, and you see in the distance all the things that are there, things you dind't see before and maybe you didn't even know that those things existed...

HI Florin Şumălan yes you make a good point. In fact I realise since writing about enjoing the path I totally didn't hold on to that today! ;) I think you're right about awareness being the essential factor. In Gestalt Therapy, awareness is the first step towards change. Awareness of what we want. In addition i try and be aware of how i move towards getting what i want and how i sabotage myself. Curious what your dream is?

Alexandra Stevens , this movie making thing. I admire the great works of many filmmakers throughout history and I think I wish to do my part in this too.

What is your "dream", what are your "dreams"?

Florin Şumălan That's a beautful dream. You can achieve it, i'm sure. Currently mine is to coach and teach actors and also to produce.

Jean-Claude Van Damme has such a unique perspective on perseverance and visualization. His journey from martial artist to global action star is a testament to the power of determination and belief in oneself. It’s always inspiring to hear from someone who truly understands the discipline required to chase and achieve big dreams. Thanks for sharing this, Florin Şumălan!

I am still doing some (or having someone do this for me) tweaks on howtoactandmodel.com. Hope you all visit and sign up to be on my special mailing list.

Thank you Aaron. This is very helpful. I just took a look at your website and it is very professional and clear and well set out. What stood out to me from your video is the need for downloadble photos.

Thank you so much, Alexandra. My website just went live last week. It took 2 years to have it created. There are still some adjustments that need to be made, but I can't begin to tell you how much better it is than my last one. Thank you so much for your input and wisdom.

You're most welcome Aaron Marcus . And thank you for your generousity with your tips for actors

It gives me pleasure to try and help others.

Playing two versions of the same character sounds challenging, Suzanne Bronson! Some actors like challenges though.

Thanks Suzanne Bronson for sharing! For me also is the first time I see two versions of the same character! It’s very interesting! Thanx

It happens all the time @Leonardo in sci-fi. Alternate reality, different timeline, Same character but different history. I never really thought about it until now. I haven't seen Severance though so I can't relate to this particular situation. Glad you guys enjoyed the article.

Suzanne Bronson this is really interesting and makes me want to watch Severance. What comes to mind is the Gestalt Therapy concept of polarities which can explain two versions of the same character. This states that all of our qualities contain the inherent polarity within them. We may just be more in touch with one and the other remains in 'the shadow'. Knowing this might help with playing the character, although Britt Lower does great at it and doesn't sound like she needs any help. There is also the idea in psychotherapy that we all have different parts of us. The parts may seem to contradict each other but they are all trying to 'help' us even if they don't feel helpful. I guess "Helly' is trying to give Helena the experience of being free to express herself. I think i would play around with these theories to help me with character development if I ever got an opportunity to play such a role. Sounds like a super rich and rewarding process for Britt

thank you for your insights Alexandra Stevens