Learning Preparation
14th January 2014
Todays lesson began with an introduction to a new learning technique, the soul purpose of this technique was for us learn a new way to learn our lines. Once the lesson had begun, after a few warm up exercises, we began to discuss our individual methods of learning our lines. A number of different methods were told, from simly reading aloud repeatedly, to a method I started using by reading the script aloud and recording with a dictaphone giving you time to memorise the script. All this methods were useful and handy, however our teacher gave us a new method. This method required us to simply read our script aloud repeatedly, except our teacher didn't want us to read it with enthusiasm, hense beginning to add characterisation to the script, we had to read it aloud in a boring robot-like voice. The purpose of this was because if an actor was to read aloud in a certain way, they would memorise it in the way they spoke during their own rehearsal. So when it came to the actors main performance they would speak in the way they spoke in rehearsal, which might not be the right way for the character to pronounce their lines. Whereas using the slow speaking method it allows the actors muscle to memorise how to say the words, so hopefully they would be able to say the lines immediately without hesitation. Again the actors would have to speak slowly and have pauses inbetween lines to show that they know when the other character is speaking their part of the dialogue; the actor would speak slowly until they have memorise their part of the script so when it comes to a main rehearsal they can add characterisation to their dialogue, to bring the script to life.
In the lesson our teacher wanted us to try this method, to see if we could remember the first four lines of our script. I thought this method worked extremely well, because usually it would take me a while to learn a few lines from a script, but using this technique I was able learn the first four lines in under ten minutes. I thought it was a very helpful task and I use it more often, for when it comes to learning lines.
The purpose of this lesson was to focus on our preparation for the assignment, hence the reason for our teacher giving us the new method of learning lines. Which then leads to the question: How important is an actors preparation? When an actor recieves a role in a play and has a time limit until the production it is essential for the actor to be fully prepared. An actors preparation should begin with simply learning their lines, so no matter how long it takes until the main production the actor would know all their lines in case they event came sooner, rather than later. The next step is for an actor to develop their characterisation, so once the actor has learn their lines the could maybe do some reshearch into the characters origins, then they can work on how they can create this character and bring it to life for a stage audience. Finally for an actors preparation there is rehearsals, if the individual actor knows all their lines and the whole plot of the play, that is acceptional, however it is better to rehearse with a set/stage and cast, rather than picture the whole play in the mind. So rehearsing with a set and cast would allow the actor to fully understand what the plot would visually look what the other actors have to bring to the play.
As the lesson drew to an end our teacher introduced us to another helpful technique which would help us in acting, it was called the Meisner technique. The Meisner is a technique which assists an actor to develop an emotional response to the scipt/dialogue. Another similar technique, known as method acting, has the actor get into character and remain in character for the entire time of the play. Method acting also requires the actor to bring forth any personal memories that are relatable towards the character to make it more convincing for the audience. However some would protest towards method acting because if the character is required to have an emotional break down, then the actor would look back to personal moment in their lives which would bring a tear to the eye, and some would protest to this beacuse the actor could have an emotional break down themselves, and might not even recover from it. So method acting focuses on the one character and the actor to create this. However the Meisner technique is "all about the other person", where the actor understands the character, from their past, present and future as they know how the play ends and what comes of the character. So the actor can make their performance more convincing by reflecting on the characters emotional side, rather than the actors own origins.
So to conclude, what I felt most engaged with during this lesson was the new learning techniques which I think will come in very handy for when it comes to learning scripts, and developing characterisation. I will definately use these techniques for when it comes to the uncoming assignment, and future assignments/roles.
In the lesson our teacher wanted us to try this method, to see if we could remember the first four lines of our script. I thought this method worked extremely well, because usually it would take me a while to learn a few lines from a script, but using this technique I was able learn the first four lines in under ten minutes. I thought it was a very helpful task and I use it more often, for when it comes to learning lines.
The purpose of this lesson was to focus on our preparation for the assignment, hence the reason for our teacher giving us the new method of learning lines. Which then leads to the question: How important is an actors preparation? When an actor recieves a role in a play and has a time limit until the production it is essential for the actor to be fully prepared. An actors preparation should begin with simply learning their lines, so no matter how long it takes until the main production the actor would know all their lines in case they event came sooner, rather than later. The next step is for an actor to develop their characterisation, so once the actor has learn their lines the could maybe do some reshearch into the characters origins, then they can work on how they can create this character and bring it to life for a stage audience. Finally for an actors preparation there is rehearsals, if the individual actor knows all their lines and the whole plot of the play, that is acceptional, however it is better to rehearse with a set/stage and cast, rather than picture the whole play in the mind. So rehearsing with a set and cast would allow the actor to fully understand what the plot would visually look what the other actors have to bring to the play.
As the lesson drew to an end our teacher introduced us to another helpful technique which would help us in acting, it was called the Meisner technique. The Meisner is a technique which assists an actor to develop an emotional response to the scipt/dialogue. Another similar technique, known as method acting, has the actor get into character and remain in character for the entire time of the play. Method acting also requires the actor to bring forth any personal memories that are relatable towards the character to make it more convincing for the audience. However some would protest towards method acting because if the character is required to have an emotional break down, then the actor would look back to personal moment in their lives which would bring a tear to the eye, and some would protest to this beacuse the actor could have an emotional break down themselves, and might not even recover from it. So method acting focuses on the one character and the actor to create this. However the Meisner technique is "all about the other person", where the actor understands the character, from their past, present and future as they know how the play ends and what comes of the character. So the actor can make their performance more convincing by reflecting on the characters emotional side, rather than the actors own origins.
So to conclude, what I felt most engaged with during this lesson was the new learning techniques which I think will come in very handy for when it comes to learning scripts, and developing characterisation. I will definately use these techniques for when it comes to the uncoming assignment, and future assignments/roles.
Well done Frank, you are making clear connections to the methods and exercises. You are absolutely right in saying the Meisner technique is all about the other person, it also says the actor should respond on IMPULSE so the main preparation is in learning the lines as flat as possible in order not to embed any prepared inflections or emotional connection.
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