Actor Tip Blog Latest

I  realized that since I have been asked to write regular blogs for some theatrical websites I have been lax on writing here at AnD.   So I thought I would share with you the latest blog for Actors Tips. 

I love and miss teaching in Hong Kong and hope I will be there again very soon.  So here is the latest Actor Tips  BLog

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Change Your Focus, Change Your Audition

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                By Jeanne Hartman,

Author of The Right Questions for Actors,  www.JeanneHartmanActorsDetective.com

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Sometimes actors want to know the one thing they can do to improve their auditions.  Of course, to me that is a dangerous question since each actor has different strengths and weaknesses.  And once an actor has learned the basics, I really believe that I must look at each actor individually.  But with that caveat, I will tell you what one piece of advice [if the actor learns how to accomplish it] that can really change your auditions.

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All right here it is.

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If what your character wants is more important than what you, the actor, wants, the quality of your audition will soar.   I know this may sound complicated so I will try to break it down for you.  

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When you go to an audition you want to get the job, and if I know actors and I think I do, you want it really badly!  You want it so much you can taste it.  I understand that.  The problem is that you, the actor, want it so much that this want, this desire, is more powerful and all encompassing than the “want” of your character.  Even though you may try to put it aside, your want to get this job is so pervasive that you don’t put the energy, the passion, the desire into the want of the character.  

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I know you might try not to do that but it happens so often that I realized that actors need to become conscious of what they are doing.  Now don’t get me wrong I know you can’t just NOT want to get the job.  Of course you will still want to get the job.  It is a matter of the weight you put on each want.  

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I suggest that you focus on the “want” or intention of your character.  You know what your character is fighting for.  It should be stronger than your desire to get this job.  

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 When you are able to do this, the energy in the room changes.  Both the energy you bring into the room and the energy that is already in the room will center on your performance of this character.   Everyone in the room will be drawn to watching that character.  And that’s what you want, isn’t it?  

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Come on now, you don’t go into the room to get a drinking buddy.  You go in to show these people that you can make them believe this character.   So if you can train yourself to make that your priority when you go into the room, to concentrate on what your character wants, needs, must have, attempts to get from the other person you will have done your job.  The job is showing who this character would be if you played him.  That is your only job in that room.

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I can hear you thinking, how do you do that?  How do you get to the point where you put your priorities on the wants of your character?  Well I have to first say you need to practice this.  I cannot give you a big huge pill to swallow and now you will always do this.  You need to practice.  And first you need to learn how to change this habit you have.  A habit most people have.  Whether with a coach, by yourself, or in a class, you must work on improving your technique.  Your technique of showing the people in the audition this character you are playing.  Putting the focus on the desire and the want of this character more than your own personal feelings.  

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Take a look at if you are making the character’s wants or desires more important than your own.  And search for the tools that can give you what you need to prepare for every audition and every acting job.  

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I didn’t say that accomplishing my piece of advice would be simple or easy.  No I can’t say it is but I can say if you accomplish it you will see a major change in your auditions.  

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