Actors, Writers, Directors, Walk in Each others' Shoes.

 

ACTORS ACT!   WRITERS WRITE!  But you can learn from walking in each other’s shoes.  

 

I was asked why I recommend that actors try writing and writers try acting.   I wanted to share what I told those who asked me these questions.  

 

Well first of all if you as an actor want to do your best for a writer’s script it would be good for you to walk in the shoes of a writer.  Understand what they do and why they write the way they write.  See what it takes to put on to paper a story that will be translated by actors and directors.   And writers, if you want to be able to write well for actors, you need to understand what it is like to walk in the shoes of an actor.  Understand what they need to know about the character they are playing that you as the writer can give them in the script.  Understand what you the writer can write that will help the actor create what you want.  And of course directors, it would behoove you to walk in the shoes of both an actor AND  a writer.   Since you need to understand how to translate a script and how to direct an actor.  

 

I like to have actors, writers and directors look at a team, any kind of team, whether it is a sports team or a business team.  Or a family, which can be considered a team.   

 

What makes a good team?  

 

Well, everyone needs to know what their job or role is.   They need to understand and respect what the other team members’ jobs are.  Each team member needs to do their job and not try to do some else’s job as well.  

 

I remember when we used to play softball every Sunday in Pico park.  It was a group of actors, actresses,  writers, directors and anyone who was invited frankly.   We had teams and it was just for fun – supposedly.  Well some (not all) of the guys would try to play for the girls.  They just didn’t believe that the girl could handle their position.  And then the guys didn’t handle their own position.  Yes I know that girls do this to guys too!

 

So back to actors and writers.  As an actor you need to work your acting muscle as much as possible.  So of course going to a great workshop (such as mine) is a smart move.  Working out and learning tools you can learn as an actor is a smart choice but you also might consider taking the Writers Lab as well.  Why?  Because writing will help you learn more about characters and what is important to communicate with your actors.  You will become more sympathetic to writers and also you will start to notice more of the details that the writers give you.  Why ?  Because you will want and notice when actors do or do not adhere to what you write.  Walking in someone else’s shoes really helps you learn on a totally different level what they go through.  

 

Now writers this is the same for you.  One of the best things you can do is actually take a acting workshop.  Get up and do what an actor has to do and you will begin to understand and respect what it takes to give a believable performance.  

 

I have seen writers and directors change and improve their writing and their directing after taking an acting workshop.  You will become better communicators.  You will find new respect for what you are asking actors to do.  

 

And what does all this accomplish?  It makes a stronger, better team.

 

Check out my upcoming workshops I am teaching the first two weeks of December.   http://www.alivenotdead.com/jasontobin/Acting-Classes-with-Jeanne-Hartman-event-1099993.html