I teach a very involved process in my "Instinct" class at Krater Studios. I ask my actors to really develop a sense of who they are, what their point of view is and articulate their experiences in today's world.
It requires commitment, trust and an element of fearlessness in an actor's work. I also know, it gives freedom, purpose and deep satisfaction to those who take the journey.
So much has been going on in our world the past few weeks. I know that is always the case, but these days things seem heightened. I noticed that when my actors were coming into class, there wasn't an honest conversation going on about what was happening and so...the work had a feeling of suspended animation.
I challenged everyone to talk about their feelings regarding what had gone on in Ferguson and NY. At first people seemed reticent. I do understand on some level why. There is a fatigue that comes along with all the clamoring going on right now. And yet...I cannot help but feel we as the storytellers need to be able to process, express and speak to one another about how our world is making us feel. We need to communicate about what our world is doing to one another. We need to know if we are just going for entertainment or escapism that that is at least a choice and not by default.
You see, every time we act we are coming from somewhere. Whether we like it or not, we are impacted by what goes on around us.
When I encouraged the actors to just take the opening of their scenes with some kind of connection to what had gone on this week, the work was instantly better. The room had an excitement, tension and electricity to it. When I asked them to get political in their work, the scenes became brilliant I asked everyone if they were afraid to engage politically in their work. The room mumbled a "no we are not afraid."
"Are you sure?", I asked.
As actors shouldn't we at least be clear about what we are and are not willing to do in our work? I don't care what your point of view is. I just care that it is present. You see, it is up to us on some level to talk about things that other pockets of our communities avoid. In my opinion that is a big part of what acting is all about.
As actors we don't have the luxury of being lazy, uninformed or frightened. How can you play in a show like Homeland if you don't understand what is going on in the world today? How can your jokes be as funny as they might if you pretend the world isn't as complicated as it is.
The deal is that acting for the camera is about being private in public. You don't have to run around telling everyone every opinion you have about today's current events, but if you truly want to be an actor you should understand on some level that between the word action and cut there is a world of experience for you to reveal and share with your audience. I personally don't care to watch that exchange if it is neutered or dumbed down.
Just standing up and saying "This is how I feel", is on some level a political statement. Telling the truth which is a corner stone of acting technique goes against much of what is acceptable in many circles and cultures in our world today.
Knowing that on some level is essential. I guarantee it will make your work more dynamic and much more interesting to watch.
I do know that the actors went home thinking this week. For me that is what art is all about.
x
Jen
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