Only eight more posts until I complete this challenge. Last week most of my posts were about the acting profession which, since they appear as part of my Acting Website, I thought was apposite. I shall rant about politics on a new site in the new year. Although, I don’t think actors can keep out
Rickshaws, Cyclists, Property Speculators and other irritants. I believe it’s illegal to ply goods on Oxford Street or to beg or to even to busk without a license. I understand that street entertainers have to audition to get a pitch nowadays, including the “living statues”. Why then is it not against the law for those
How To Get Paid Acting Work With Just A Little Effort Be born with talent. Practise your skills. Be lucky. Make your own luck by practising your skills perhaps by getting professional training. Be lucky. Watch and learn from other professional performers; i.e. go to the theatre, cinema or watch television. Practise your skills. Do
PUTTING A FOOT WRONG ON STAGE An actor’s mind on stage is a strange animal. Well at least mine is. On stage I can have at least three trains of thought bumping in and out. Primarily I will be trying to concentrate on what I am saying and what I am doing as the character
DINING TIPS FOR ACTORS There’s an admittedly very rare occurrence for which actors ought to be prepared and that is dining with someone they wish to impress. A producer, a director, an agent maybe. The sort of person with industrial clout and influence who suddenly says, “Let’s do lunch!” Sounds great doesn’t it? The trouble
Having previously looked line-learning and audition preparation I reckon it’s time for some character acquisition tips. What I expect you expect to read hereafter is some sort of comparative analysis between Meisner and Stanislavski with perhaps a smidgen of Michael Chekhov thrown into the melting pot. However those who have acted with me previously will
83 Audition Preparation Tips Read email three times to make sure you’ve understood it. Check it really is your name on the address bar. Investigate email for any subtext: “We should like to see you for the part of Mel on Tuesday at 2:30 pm at the Danky-Musty Casting Suite, E27. Go into panic mode
SOME REASONS WHY I’M AN ACTRESS Members of the acting profession are experts at moaning. We are the hardest of all professions to please. People often tell me that they could not be an actor; it’s too difficult. I usually reply that acting is easy; it’s getting work that’s tough. Whenever I encounter an actor
SERIOUSLY: LEARNING LINES IS HARD WORK Possibly my greatest worry professionally is that as I age I might not be able to remember the words my character is supposed to speak on stage. (At least on film, whilst forgetfulness is irritating, there’s always the chance of another take.) Fortunately, phew and touch wood (oh dear,
Line Learning: A Procrastinator’s Guide First, congratulations on getting the part. Settle down in your favourite chair, bed, park bench and begin to make important decisions. Are you going to highlight all your lines in the same colour or colour code them for emotion implied. Should you highlight stage directions? Should you annotate important cue