Auditing classes at TVI was a great experience -- in terms of practical training that focuses on auditions, working casting directors who teach/coach are a very good way to go.
Some notes, for myself, from the audits:
Warm-readings (i.e., when I have a week or so to go over the sides):
- Find the "bottom line" -- commit to that, and drive through.
- Find three transitions, find them and don't hold back.
- Reacting to the reader, and most importantly, the subtext (where imagination will trump Meisner).
- 'Words are like weapons . . .' throw them, see them hit, see the reaction, take that in, take it all in.
- Take the energy of the other, of the moment, and throw it back. A big part of acting, I'm starting to think, is finding that exactly theatrical logic/structure that "creates" the game, and if you go with the game, with the flow, you're playing ball, and the stakes are high. This is very metaphorical w/out practical details and examples -- because I haven't experienced it that often, but by god that's going to change! -- but I'm absolutely convinced that this metaphor is at the heart of what brings energy, clarity, and a clear clean direction for each beat, each scene. Acting is a clear mind, and a strong heart.
- Really do everything. These things are not cold, and they're not just reading. Commit big-time, to everything.
Questions asked of the students by Dani ...
- What's the scene about -- what's literally going on? Specifics, specifics, SPECIFICES
- What's at stake for the character -- identify/empathize with that.
- What's the scene about -- find the simple point, the bottom line, the heart. That drives everything.
The biggest problem people had: ms-understanding the scene, getting distracted by or focus on non-critical elements, missing it's heart, and subsequently not finding it's heat.
This type of class is very much results orientated. You're not learning how to act, your learning how to get a call back, how to get cast. You'll get your weakness pointed out to you and some discussion of what your "targets" are, i.e., what you need to be doing up there, in front of a casting director. How you do that will be left up to you.
Thus, I think this type of class, while it was recommended for me, might be too advanced. I would certainty have things to shoot for, but w/out much guidance of how to hit those targets. Ideally, I'd want to work through my weaknesses, towards my targets, with a minimum of flailing around. I'm afraid with what little experience I have, I might be spending more time failing around then is good for me. It's really designed for people are are ready to start auditioning professionally. So, I'm going to put this type of class/training on hold.
