He Felt Weak. And I knew that feeling well
I was working with an 8 year old who was new to private coaching. A very smart, intuituve kid. The classic “old soul” quality that so many child actors that are destined for greatness seem to possess. In one interaction, he hit me with some deep honesty and reflection on his work in a scene that I asked him to tape.
After we reviewed the self tape, I asked how he thought he did. He said " Good, I guess"
Then I asked if he had faced any challenges in the scenes. And he didn't hesitate too long before saying
"I felt WEAK"
And I instantly knew what he meant somehow, but I pressed for details just to be sure.
He added that he felt dizzy when on camera and he felt like his arms and legs were not working like he wanted nor was his head. Like he had frustratingly lost control when on camera and he mentioned it is usually always like that when doing self tapes. This was something he felt was not only very frustrating but totally out of his control.
Bingo! Just as I thought.... I knew it!
Because I have experienced it and STILL do experience it.
And it CAN BE very frustrating.
The Performer's head, no matter how trained or prepared, can slip into a weird dream like auto-pilot place that is merely working to survive the moment of stress. The actor’s anxiety or the fact that the Camera is staring right at you is too much for you. Or a million other doubts, insecurities and distractions are in your head and all those things are taking soo much energy from you. In order to push through and not run away and hide, the actor has no choice but to depend on muscle memory, ingrained training and instincts to do the scene or read or take 63 of their coverage dialogue on set.
Who signed up for this nonsense? Too scary. Right?
Scene Breakdowns are vital.
I can guide you through it!
The simple things this kid wants is to be in control and in the Driver's Seat and be able to shift the gears. To feel all the amazing parts of the performance he has trained for. To be able to make that leg or arm do what he wants it to do on command. To be able to turn a sharp corner with a surprise line reading or choice when he wants to creatively mix one in.
He doesn't want to be in a daze wondering - "what just happened?"
Snap Out Of It! DRIVE THE CAR!
So I started searching my brain for a solution that an eight year old mind could grasp.
My thoughts went to the MISSION of the character. Not the actor doing the self tape with the hot lights bringing the pressure.
Or a singer who is singing in public - or a speaker speaking at church or to a crowd.
What is the thing inside the performance that needs someone skilled to take the wheel, steer and navigate it so it can be honest and effective.
Whatever acting method or technique that most if not all actors use, usually boils down to:
what the character wants and how they intend to get it.
These questions can fill in the gaps. Making a person that you will now so well that you do not even need to think of how to say your lines. You will just know.
Virtually every line is like a thought out debate team tactic.
What persuasive technique should I use in this moment to get what I want.
So the Actor makes a choice to accomplish that.
“I can play it like a BRAT. It has worked for my sister in situations like this.”
Or you play it sweet. Or sympathetic. Or manipulative. Or dumb. Or whatever.
The key is being on alert to the mission.
You need to be totally present in the scene to make it believable. You need to listen really well and react accordingly and in sync with the mission and the choices you are making this round as the actor.
To have a distinct POV.
Learn by watching and acknowledging the lesson
The camera is not merely rolling and you are all of a sudden “on.”
No, you are starting the game - the challenge . And you are going to be activated and energized to do it.
Confident that you UNDERSTAND that character inside and out and will USE all that knowledge and IMAGINATION to INFORM how you will deliver the lines with the mission to GET YOUR WAY.
First, you gotta splash a little water on that face and get your heard in the game.
Refresh and Reset
Go get in character mode so you can have your wits about you and be able to focus on the wants and the obstacles that you must overcome.
Just as a singer must carefully bring the right tone to a song so people will understand the message.
Singers must find their zone too
Just as a Public Speaker must speak to a crowd with intention and dialied in sensitivity to what the energy of the audience is and what they want the energy to be.
Speaking with intention while motivating means being present & focused.
So keep training to be able to have the very best arsenal at your disposal.
I want you to know that you are capable of playing these roles you audition for - because you did your homework and you fully get it and are using some unique strong ideas on how to play this person. And you are confident that taking the risks and focusing on the mission will make you stand out from the rest.
Wiggle it away
Shake off the Dizzies. Really shake it all out of your body, next time it happens. Then meditate on the task and be in it to win it before the camera rolls. Wether you are eight or 80, this can work to ground you.
