Introduction to setting a criteria for ourselves in our R&R
Hi Actor,
So we have established a weekly practice of recording our self tape work. We've watched ourselves back with no sound and then listened without the visual.
Here are the links to the previous blogs if you haven't given them a read yet.
Now lets have a look at taking it a step further. Cultivating a criteria to review our material.
The Criteria
Have a think about what qualities are of value to you in an audition. This list is likely to come from your own study of actors. These parameters can be technical, emotional, vocal or physical. Write these down as a list and this will become the framework at which you critique yourself. Anything you can think of, write it down. Make sure you consider both your Visual and your Vocal. Consider psychological too. Here is a list to start you off, but don't only use this list. This can be a fine starting point, but develop a criteria that is specific to you and your work.
Visual:
Clarity in eye lines
Intentional movement
Physical change within the scene
Vocal:
Tempo/ Pace
Tonality
Articulation
Whenever you do go to record your scene don't focus on hitting too many "marks" either. Say if you have 20 critical parameters in total. Just focus on hitting 4 at a time. Focus on the "few" and get obsessive with them. This is a far more effective way of working and improving. Once you've mastered those 4 you can move onto the next 4 and so on. Keep adding and taking away where you feel is needed. When you read a new acting book or participate in another class or hear about another perspective that interests you, you can start incorporating those new skills and concepts to your R & R practice.
One of the really cool things about working this way regularly is that you can get very specific on what kind of audition tapes you start creating. You can prioritise pacy work for 6 weeks and then shift your focus to being still.
Finding that your work is still and grounded but lacks the fire needed to propel a scene? Spend the following month getting in touch with that kind of work.
Your options are endless. Just keep adding to your values list slowly and grow with it. The most important thing with all of this is that you get out of your own way by engaging your curiosity. Your skills will grow more and more each week and you'll be guided largely by your own impulses and values - not someone else's. You'll start being your own teacher & coach. You'll begin to trust yourself as a critical eye.
What things do you value in an audition? Comment your top 4 critical parameters. Hit that subscribe button too. Talk soon.
Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry close to a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.
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