Trust.

Yesterday we were working on constructing a booking. There are so many elements that go into putting together an audition that set you apart from everyone else. Many of these things have very little to do with the acting.

One thing a skilled on camera actor/actress understands is when a moment is truly working through them. We often hear about being still on camera, but often times it has more to do with not pulling out of a moment until you have gotten absolutely everything you need and you must.

It is amazing how the moment to moment work, physical obligations and a solid grasp on how eye lines support the performance can really crystalize who the character is for the camera.

If we are self conscious or caught up in the dialogue we rarely get to this level of work and if you don't you will never truly be in the running for the plum roles.

It takes a level of energy, intention and focus to handle all of these demands. I see actors from time to time come in with their energy far to casual to handle what is truly being asked of them and so when they launch into the scene and they feel they aren't going to arrive, they pull out. They make excuses, shut down and manipulate.

It takes guts to work past this. Not next week or in the future, but while it is happening. Pushing beyond our fears of failing requires a level of trust. We can turn the next moment around and go for it. We can fight as the character to get back on track. We can dare to let ourselves fail rather than settling for mediocre.

When the stakes are that high for an actor he begins to work his process on a completely different level.

Like a Pro.

It is perfectly normal to be a bit unsure about how we are going to accomplish everything during a take, but it is in the discovery while the camera is rolling that the mission is accomplished.

I would like to talk about Natalie's work a bit here. She had every scene set up for herself. She was connected, invested and in command of the room. It was not a friendly energy. Not bubbly and full of smiles, but it was an actress in charge.

Natalie has been truly working out week after week. The technical took a back seat to the identification she had with the role of Gretchen and she lived it out so completely there were sections of the script (and this is tv mind you) that look completely improvised.

Every once in awhile an actor does something that stays with me forever. It is the work fully realized. It comes from really owning what your responsibilities are as an actor, knowing the work and bringing the creativity to allow it to pop.

It was a great work out yesterday.

Push the work forward to next week.

x

Jen