The Secret Code of Talent: Part II - Identify The Hard Skills & Work Like a Carpenter

Part II of a series on talent: Lets have a close look at your "Hard" skills

Hi Actor,

Last week we introduced the concept of Hard and Soft skills. This week we will be taking a closer look at the Hard skills. Identifying some of them and discussing how to practice them affectively.

The Hard skills. The Swiss watch, machine like, repeatable, accuracy based skills.

Hard skills for the actor:

• Accent work

• Word perfect memory

• Memory (in general)

• Reading (accuracy & speed)

• Cold Reading

• Voice work:

  • Body Awareness

  • Breath

  • Jaw

  • Tongue

  • Soft palate

  • Resonance (Touch of sound, vibration, Chest, Mouth, Teeth, Sinus, Nasal, Skull)

  • Range

  • Articulation

  • Tongue Twisters

  • Vocal variety practice: Volume, Pitch/ Melody, Pacing

• Exercises like resistance training (maybe a part of your body work each week)

• Analysis (the gathering of information held within a text) (though some may argue the "interpreting" is an important part of the process and therefor would makes it a soft skill - I would say it requires both hard and soft).

• Technical elements of working in front of a camera.

• Technical elements when working on a self tape.

• Technical elements when working in a theatre.

• Technical elements when singing

• Just anything technical.

How do we practice these skills?

The answer: Carefully. Slowly. Be keenly attune to any errors. Don't shy away from or ignore the mistakes. Look directly at them and fix them accordingly. Work like a carful carpenter. We do this to connect the right neural pathways over and over again. Strengthening them one practice session at a time. Daniel Coyle talks about the Suzuki Music Instruction Method where students spend several lessons simply learning to hold the bow and the violin with just the right curve and pressure. Each foundation no matter how humble seeming is introduced. He mentioned that often the hard skill foundations are guided initially by a teacher. This would help assist in the accuracy of the work. Immediate feedback would be given and the student could adjust accordingly. Maybe thats worth considering if you feel you need the guidance.

The main point I would like to reiterate though: If you're finding your hard skills are a little less of the "Swiss watch" kind and a little more of the "dogs breakfast" kind - slow it down. Slower than you think.

NEXT WEEK: We cover the Soft skills and how to practice them!

Don't forget to like, leave a comment and share the post with anyone you think may be interested! Thanks every one!

Talk soon,

Lachy

Disclaimer: The insights shared here are drawn from Daniel Coyle’s books 'The Talent Code' and 'The Little Book of Talent'. I’ve reinterpreted his findings through the lens of acting practice. I've also taken grabs here and there from his book 'The Little Book of Talent' to assist.

Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry for a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.

© Lachlan Stuart 2025