“My approach is to look at the character’s world. Often, we get so locked into memorizing lines and practicing how we’re going to say those lines, when in reality the lines are just a symbol or representation of the person. I spend a lot of time getting into the character’s life. Every character has a point of view, so what informs this character’s point of view?” — Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Acting : Acting Tip – Look at the Character’s World by Maurice Vaughan
Acting Tip – Look at the Character’s World
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Memorise your lines until you can't forget them. The biggest mistake I've seen actors make is not working on memorisation. All the great actors know their lines and the other actors lines until they are sick of them. Once you've done that you focus on the 'why' and never on the 'how'. Or as Spencer Tracey once famously put it " acting is easy, just memorise your lines and don't bump into any furniture".
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"Memorise your lines until you can't forget them." That's great advice, Valentin Perković. And not just your lines, but other actors' lines too. Thanks for sharing those tips.
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Yes This is what Sanford Meisner teaches and the acting school of thought that I went to. know your lines. And then everything else Is result of knowing your lines. When you know your lines you don't have to think about anything else and then have the freedom to explore your character. I have said this before and I will recommend this book again Sanford Meisner On Acting.That is the bible.
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great points Maurice Vaughan & Suzanne Bronson & Valentin Perković - an actor's best friend is the impulse. and thinking about lines (thinking, in general, in fact) blocks the freedom to use impulse as the engine of behavior. Acting is reacting. And, since I'm in the Meisner camp also, I would add to Suzanne's great reading suggestion William Esper's book on the Meisner technique: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030727926X?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1
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Thanks for the book rec, Suzanne Bronson.
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Thanks, Sebastian Tudores. I like that. "An actor's best friend is the impulse." I say embrace being impulsive whether it's acting, directing, writing, etc. Incredible things can happen. I always have a plan/outline when I write a script, but some of my best scenes, character actions, and dialogue are the impulsive ones. Thanks for posting the book link.