acting schmacting.

we had the best audition technique class with acting teacher/coach bob krakower today. he was so specific about the things that attract producers, directors, and CDs when they watch actors audition for things. he was pinpointing things and moments where a director may not know what is off but just know that something is off. it was also cool to see that we can be very very physically specific WITHOUT sacrificing freedom of impulses. i think that atlantic fails at conveying that. i think they are so caught up in getting us to be "messy" in order to be free, that we don't cover the idea that we can find more freedom in specificity - in the structure or form. all thoughts thoughts thoughts.

main points he hit that i loved:

- EVERYTHING should be in service of your RELATIONSHIP with the other person. not just the other person in general. that was huge for me. yeah.

- what is going to set you apart from the others reading is your BEHAVIOR. 

- identify where you are and pretend you are in that environment. set up where you're coming from and look at those points of reference. the audience will watch what is moving.

- move in order to get want you want/move to set up your relationship. it won't look too big. most of the time, all it takes is a shoulder move or shift of focus.

- pick up the pace. if the conversation would take 65 secs IRL, then make it 65 secs in the audition. if it's banter, then banter! we know what this looks like. we know what these scenes look like. don't make them something else.

- figuring out what the moment means LITERALLY does not mean you know how to act it or you're even thinking about how to act it. you need to know what you are literally doing in every moment.

- make choices.

- set up the structure so you can have freedom of impulses. auditions are awesome when there is change. it is visually engaging.

- a video captures 150 pictures in 5 secs. you don't need to stare or go slowly. they have 150 images of you looking straight ahead at your reader. make a change. pick it up.

- don't make moments a certain emotional thing. what is it literally about? stick to that. it won't fail you (probably).

he was full of great points and took us through a couple of audition pieces this week and last week that were so so so helpful. i think he lives in LA but does a couple workshops in NYC. he is worth checking out. for real. if you have any trouble nailing an audition or if you feel dissatisfied with auditioning, i think he can help. bob krakower. 

good night, everyone. OH! and jiujitsu was AWESOME. julie and i talked to ricardo (so sexxxy) and asked him about taking lessons with him after the program is finished. he cut us a great deal. god, i think i'm in love.

*P.S. COURTNEY AND PATRICK, SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!!!!!