Hi Actor, One thing I'm doing this year is studying the actors who inspire me. These people very much represent the kind of artist I want to be and grow into. This simple act of observing them with hawk like specificity will ignite and guid me in how I practice all year around. I've chosen 3 Actors and given myself 3 months with each one. There is enough time to add in one more at the end of the year if I so choose but for the moment I will focus on just the 3 in front of me. One at a time.
Over the course of 9 months I will deep dive into their work and get curious about their artistry and their way of being whenever I find myself without a project to work on. I'll find every interview I can get my hands on, every red carpet audio snippet or podcast they guest on. I'll look for footage of them talking about their work, personal life and how creatively they get from A to B. I'll observe their behaviour and look for what kind of person they are. I'll question why they might work the way they do. I'll watch my way through their filmography and (if available) their stage career. If they have written anything I'll read that too. If someone of note has written about them I will give that a look too. If they recomend books, I'll read them.
This then feeds naturally into the way I work each week. If can tell that an actor is "assertive", I'll do exercises each day that will challenge that side of me. If they are "witty" I will work on upping the banter I have with friends or start writing my own jokes. If I notice that this particular actor uses "stillness" for example - I'll look for moments where I can perhaps use it in a self tape. If there is a restlessness in my body when I review my work, my intuition will likely be on the look out for it and it will be much easier to correct when going back to tape.
Its really quite an intuitive approach and there is no right or wrong. Just stay curious and give it a go! I encourage you all to do the same. First up ask who are your absolute all time favourite actors? Pick your "team" of actors. See them as your teachers/ DIY Faculty. Watch, read & listen to their stuff. Practice. Have fun with it all! Give yourself a masterclass in the best of the best and maybe one day you'll find yourself working with them. What an exciting thought!
Leave a comment or reach out to me on lachlanstuartactor@gmail.com .
Talk soon,
Lachy
Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry nearing a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.
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