Hello all…
Gary Spatz
In my last post I spoke about the necessity for passion which is the bedrock for any artist and the engine that drives them to achieve.
Today I wish to talk about training. Once you realize you have an enthusiasm for acting one must acquire a skill-set and this takes training, as with any performing arts discipline (dance, singing, or acting). This training can come in different forms and not just acting workshops or theatrical experiences (local plays, dance classes, etc.,). A background in gymnastics, martial arts, or sports also help the young student actor to focus their mind and energies into a performance. Eventually a young student actor must take the steps to work on the specific skills they must have to understand the craft of acting. Look for acting classes and workshops that allow you to exercise your creative muscles and not just your imagination. The physical side needs attention too, such as vocal warm ups, articulation, relaxation. Eventually the two come together when working on improvisation and scene study.
As with any craft, there is an apprenticeship that takes place. That word comes from American and European history, of a long-standing policy where young men apprenticed from a very young age (8,9,10 yrs. old) for seven years with a master craftsman. It might be a printer or a carpenter, but in those years the apprentice would learn the craft until they became a journeymen and had the prerequisite skills to perform that craft. Now here we are in the twenty-first century, but it is still important to recognize the discipline of learning a craft. Eventually good habits are instilled in a novice acting student, such as truly listening and being in the moment – so that one can respond genuinely. Also, an understanding of the importance of making specific choices about the material and making these choices personal. This process helps one understands the physical and emotional “imaginary” circumstances inherent in the material.
Once all these good habits come together with practice and repetition, they eventually will form the foundation for an actors technique. Technique is a collection of good habits that each artist develops for themselves, and that is their way of approaching and executing talent. It’s true in dance, song, and playing a musical instrument. One must develop a technique. For an actor, and this has been said many times before – their “instrument” is themselves. An actor uses their body, mind and spirit to inhabit a character to create the authentic emotional and physical life of that role. “Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances” is in effect the goal every actor should be trying to reach. What we are talking about here is human behavior and how that is manifested in a character.
This happens through the specific choices the actor makes regarding their character. Making the choice obviously is not enough. The real training comes when an actor is able to gives themselves permission to believe that specific choice. For example, the scene calls for the character to be alone in a grave yard. That is not specific enough. Adding that it is graveyard at midnight. Now we are getting somewhere. And it’s Halloween on a full moon. Right away these choices should begin to create a certain mood inside the character. This will manifest itself in the behavior of the character that is expressed on the stage or screen. Even before the first line of dialogue, that actor is in a specific time and place. This is just one of many choices the actor must make throughout the scene. We will get into more specific details about making choices in the next blog.
Eventually everything we are talking about regarding the various skills and techniques that an actor acquires over time, comes about through training. I believe in the common sense idea that in order to do something well, one must practice the skills and focus their energy with all their heart. I believe this is true, whether your learning to play soccer, or basketball, the guitar, or dance on stage, and I certainly believe it’s true when it comes to the craft of acting.
This is the reason I created The Playground in the first place. A place where young students could learn the craft and enjoy the process. It’s important that this be a joyful experience. Parents, keep checking in with your young actors to make sure that they are challenged, engaged and nurtured throughout this adventure. NOW GO PLAY!
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November 15, 2010
Categories: Industry Insight, Suggestions for Young Actors . . Author: garyspatz . Comments: Leave a Comment
