You're Shit Scared | Shot Ready No Script | 5 Panic Killing Tips

Kill your worst enemy panic and nervousness before a shot

On TV Serial Set they don't give you your lines until the last moment. What's the solution to fighting panic?

How to fight nervousness and panic before an audition?

While on Balaji TV serial, I got my lines at the last moment. My shot was bad because of tenseness. What to do?

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Yes, this could be common in filming of an Indian TV serial and also a normal feature with most of the actors before an audition

Here are 5 Great tips on how to fight and kill panic in the event of getting your lines just before the shot

Firstly, Do You Know What Really Happens on a Movie or TV Set?

Congratulations! 

• You are selected in an audition for a role in a movie "Zero To Hero". This is your first assignment as an actor, a real break in your career. You will be facing a camera for the first time and also be visiting a movie set (location where shooting will take place) for the first time.
• You became crazy with excitement when you got a call from a production house, but all they told you was "You are in" and "We will let you know the details later". 
• However, you wanted to know everything- When and where I have to go? Whom I have to report? When I will get the script? For how many days? What about the pay? When would be the rehearsals? You want everything well in advance and though you are right, that "Later" invariably never comes till the last day.
• I have seen many first time actors getting terribly frustrated and mess up their performance while doing their first scene.
• Therefore, be prepared to accept unexpected. You may not get any details till you reach for a set.
• Each set is different. Some are friendly, some are not. Some move fast in some move slow. Some are fun, some not so much.

The following may happen though not necessary.

• You may be probably informed the night before when and where to reach.
• You wonder why they don’t tell you earlier. Now, this may happen. Every day the 1st AD sits down during a break to determine what shots need to be done the following day and who is needed for those shots. But, they can't make the final decision until they know how many shots they completed on the current day. If they’re running behind they might have to push your scene to another day. Or, if they suddenly lose a location due to whether they might have to alter things. There are hundreds of reasons why the shooting schedule has to be fluid and able to change at the drop of a hat. So, for that reason don't expect to get your call time or anything else until late the evening before. They put actors on hold for several days for a reason. They can never predict what will actually happen in a particular shoot day.  It's just common practice. If it’s 11PM and you still haven’t heard, maybe now you have a reason to be concerned. That might be the time to call to your coordinator or agent.

1. What to do after you get details of when and where to reach?

• Once you get your call time and shooting location, it's your job to get there on time. In other words sufficient (and I do mean SUFFICIENT) of time to get there. Traffic is always an issue in Mumbai and the last thing you want to do is keep a crew, a director and millions of Rupees of equipment waiting for you. That's a surefire way to get you out and lose the role. Just because Salman Khan or Kareena Kapoor Khan shows up an hour late doesn't mean you can too. When you get that famous… still, don’t do it!
• Remember; don't bring a lot of stuff in your backpack. In a chaos which is common to a set, it may be misplaced or stolen. Ask somebody whom you are supposed to report. Usually, it is the 2nd AD. You're finally ready to start your first day of shooting.

2. What To Do Next?

The 2nd AD will usually tell you what to do first and where to go. Go to the room and don't get upset if you find a tiny room which is cramped up with unknown faces. Don't get surprised if there are no actors like mothers, sisters of actors or assistant makeup artist or sound guys present there.
Generally, you will do the following things before you head to the set. They may not necessarily be in this order, but they are:

• You will get your lines and some time to memorize
• Get into your wardrobe
• (With small production houses, you may have to arrange your own dress and props)
• Get your hair and makeup done,
• Luckily if you get your lines in advance and if you have prepared it, 2nd Ad will check over your lines to see if you have memorized your lines correctly or not. Be prepared for a horror of lines being changed at the last moment!!
• What about food? Don't worry, here Indian cinema definitely scores over Hollywood or Other International Production Houses. You will be fed well by most of the production houses with unlimited snacks, tea and coffee and sumptuous lunch or dinner irrespective of whether you are a "Star" or not.

3. The Camera Rehearsal

When the crew and the director are ready for your first scene, they will put you in place for a camera rehearsal. A camera rehearsal is where they block you (tell you where to stand and move) and run the scene so the camera crew can see what they're shooting and lighting. You will be asked to speak your lines with Co actors or without, maybe with 2nd AD who will read outlines of the other Co actor. Remain calm as there will be a lot of commotion around you with adjustment of lights, someone pushing lapel mike under your wardrobe, few people shouting and running around you etc.
Be focused on your character and on your lines

4. Shooting the Scene

Be prepared to shoot the scene from numerous angles, numerous times. I've been on sets where everything is done in one take. TV Soaps are the perfect example and I've been on sets where it's common to do 20 takes from numerous angles. Again, you'll quickly learn about each shot. All you have to do is adjusting to it accordingly. Don't give away all your emotions in the long shots. Those are usually done first. Try to reserve most of your emotions for your close-up. Generally, directors will shoot the long shots first, in order to capture the whole scene with all or most of the actors. Then, they usually move in for medium shots. And finally, they move all the way in for the close-ups. Keep in mind that most directors usually start shooting from one side of the set, where they do longer, the medium, and then the close-up and then switch over to the other side of the set to shoot the same series of shots from the other actor’s perspective.
Here you MUST remember and repeat exactly what you have said or movements you have made or props you have used in the first shot in the subsequent shots with different angles or for medium and close up shots. Of course, the exaggeration of facial expressions and physical movements will be comparatively subtle as you shoot from long shot to close up
One final word of advice regarding acting on-camera in the scene: this is your moment to let it all go, make it all about the chemistry between you and the other actors and enjoy what you're doing. You should have your lines down by now and all your homework should be put away. This is the time simply have a conversation with the actor across from you and enjoy the process of entertaining. That's when the greatest acting happens.

5. What Do You When You’re Done?

It's happened many times that after a director finishes shooting a scene they suddenly realize they need to shoot more, for one reason or another. It happens. Just be flexible and wait to be told what to do. On a set, the actors aren't the center of attention. The director and his short list are the most important thing. Everything revolves around that list and what needs to be done in order to get all the shots. Wait till 2nd AD tells you that you are done for the day
( Based on the author's own experience and also based on the source)

UPDATED POST

You're Screwing Career | Which Best Best Acting Style To Learn?

"I don't want to fail as an actor. Which acting technique to learn"?

Is learning acting necessary to become an actor?

I have some inborn acting talent as told by my parents. The why should I learn acting?  

I watched Shah Rukh Khan and confident I can be better. Can join Bollywood without training?

I'm from a lower middle-class family and can't afford acting schools in Delhi or in Mumbai. Is there a way out?

I recently quit an acting institute. They were sarcastic in front of other students who laughed. I found "Improvisation" a scene difficult. Can I learn at home?

I find acting techniques difficult. When I act a character, it looks and even I feel artificial. Is there a way to develop your own acting style

What’s The Cheapest and Absolute Best Acting Method?

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In summary, 

1. Learning acting will improve your selection chances and beat competition
2. You can learn acting by picking up a particular acting technique suited best to you
3. Yes, you can learn acting without large sum of money and at home
4. You can develop your own acting technique for a truly creative and unique performance

 

What’s The Absolute Best Acting Method?

What Which And How?

Confused About Acting Techniques?

An actor is supposed to learn probably as many acting techniques as there are types of emotions ( 9 go 12?) an actor is required to display. Every actor is unique with his/her own archetype, with their "technique" usually a combination of their training and their experience. That being said, there are certain techniques that are devoted to the specific way of learning this unique art- individual processes developed over the years by acknowledged masters. Teachers such as Stanislavski, Chekov, Strasberg, Adler, Meisner, Hagen, Mamet, et al, have become the standards and are taught by most world's teachers and trainers of acting work.

This post will definitely help the actor choose a  method and style which appeals best to them. In our fierce struggle for becoming an actor, most of us don't have the time nor the funds to join acting schools like Whistling Woods Mumbai (9 Lakhs?) to learn acting.

What I suggest here is:

• Buy acting books. Look at the left sidebar of this blog, select books and click. This will take you to https://amazon.in, then search with the names I have mentioned below and buy them one by one over the period.
• Once you find the one that touches you deepest, practice, practice and practice at home, with friends or in front of a full-size mirror. Then find a good acting coach and take a short course or personalized workshop for maybe for 3 to 4days to correct and sharpen your acting talent and skills you have learned, practiced and helped to create your own

The 8 best I strongly recommend

The foundation of almost all world's acting training comes from the work of Konstantin Stanislavski and must be learned.

1. An actor prepares, Building a character, Creating a role, The magic if-Konstantin Stanislavski (You may buy one by one as per the sequence mentioned)

2. Lee Strasberg's Method Acting

3. The Stella Adler Technique - In your choice is your talent

4. Sanford Meisner - Acting is the reality of doing (My choice- very practical)

5. The Uta Hagen Technique

6. Michael Chekhov (My choice for those who can and have a great power of imagination)

7. Practical Aesthetics: David Mamet and William Macy (My choice-for higher level)

8. Bobby Lewis Technique

Obviously, there are other methods available for you to research. The ones I've chosen are those that I believe are most effective and most popular.

“Create your own method. Don’t depend slavishly on mine. Makeup something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you”~~Konstantin Stanislavski

I believe any technique which is comfortable and suited to you that gives you an opportunity to create your unique own:

1. That has access to unrestrained imagination and creativity
2. That raises your self-awareness
3. That helps you build confidence and trust yourself works

Many a times students, especially from other cities of India without knowledge background have asked me:

"Sir, what is a "technique" in acting? This word is spoken and talked about frequently"

Well, here is my explanation- 

It’s something to help you move between where you are and where you want to be. Acting technique is something to employ when your current skills and abilities can’t get you at your destination.  The absolute best acting method is the one that does just that – it shortens the gap between your goal and where you are now. Between the Performance, you’re giving, and the performance you want.
The Method, Meisner Technique, Viewpoints, LeCoq, Grotowski, PEM, Practical Aesthetics, Suzuki, Mindset Acting Technique – it really doesn’t matter what you call it. It has to bring you the results you need.
Use anything that works, but do not hold it so tight that you would lose your flexibility, nor too loose that it would fly from your hand when tested.
Source

To You, The Best

3 Ways To Learn Acting | Without Money | With Money | Privately

A confused aspiring actor

Acting is a specialized type of performing arts, and it generally requires a great amount of skill. Although some actors are naturally talented, a formal training to get the most out of these talents is a MUST. Because of this, many aspiring actors choose to attend performing arts or acting schools or hire an acting coach or a mentor.

Which one, especially a beginner should choose? A school or an acting coach?

There are 3 options

A. Without Money

Then you can learn acting FREE at Home and become a good actor

How?

1. Read all 280+ posts of this blog and practice either 
2. With friends
3. In front of a full-size mirror
4. By this method, it may take few months to become a good actor (I give guidance by email to visitors of my blog)
5. Once your are moderately confident, visit film institutes like Digital Academy Andheri East or at Zee Institute at Lokhandwala. Andheri west. There are direction courses for aspiring directors and to get a diploma, they must make a short film. They need actors free or to whom they may have to pay a small amount. Meet such aspirant directors after a training session with your photographs and introduce self. Advantage: You learn acting for the camera, making a film and develop your network. 

B. With Money-How To Select An Acting School

Selection criteria

• Which suits you after a thorough research
• Rather than the name, enrolling a large group (20 or more), the man behind the school ( a Bollywood celebrity), fame etc.
• Many a time the above credentials of a school are carefully created to attract students by clever marketing and promotional tactics

So be careful!

Before deciding on a school

• Visit personally and check syllabus, faculty (important) eg actor-teacher or senior retired actors, ex-directors or casting directors, teachers from production or cinematography. Verify credentials of faculty online and also from co-actors or artist coordinators/ friend casting director/ production houses.
• Number of classes on a designed day and the time allotted for each session
• Do teachers spend extra time to individual students if they can't learn for example a particular and sensitive emotion, attitude of a human life or learning improvisation, remembering lines, monologs etc
• Meet students from the school after the class and seek their opinion
• How many ex- students got a break in films, theater, TV serials or in commercial ads. Check online the validity of such information
• What's the fee structure? Schools which have big names like Berry John or whistling woods (Subhash Ghai) may charge fees in Lakhs
• Then decide after this thorough research 
• C.  Private 'One On One' acting coach
• For beginners, I strongly suggest starting with an acting coach to have an undivided and focused personal attention to master acting craft.
• Acting is not like studying a subject like physics, history or maths with a large group of students. Acting is observing, feeling and transformation- into a new life thus making it a fine delicate form of art and for beginners, it should be learned individually. 

C.  Top Private Acting Coach

Key Advantages

• Best For Beginners
• Economical
• Personal attention

For beginners, I strongly suggest starting with an acting coach to have an undivided and focused personal attention to master acting craft.
Acting is not like studying a subject like physics, history or maths with a large group of students. Acting is observing, feeling and transformation- into a new life thus making it a fine delicate form of art and for beginners should be learned individually.

Pros and Cons an acting coach

Pros

1. Sympathetic to the actor 
2. Understand the objectives for the individual being coached
3. Creates a syllabus which suits to a particular student
4. Adapts course of study and training methods to meet student's need and ability.
5. Writes, produces and directs monologs and show-reels for students for auditions.
6. Audition practice.
7. Acting for camera techniques
8. Ideal portfolio, making
9. How to market and promote (social media, online and personal)
10. Life and acting goal setting, how to achieve success and action plan
11. Many other tasks needed by a student to excel in an acting career 
12. Long term follow up and help  

Cons

1. The coaching sessions may not enable you to see the other actors work, which in itself is invaluable!
2. You can not see how other actors overcome some of their own issues while acting and interpreting their roles.
3. Learning acting by a coach may not give you a sense of colleagues, and may feel alone in your quest to become an actor.
4. In private coaching session, you may not find a group of people with whom you can exchange ideas and to whom you can ask questions and share. The absence of this group of your co-learners may deprive  you  to develop networks and information about the film industry like auditions, directors, and casting directors 
5. Note: However, as a coach is your long time guide, on request he/she can organize such group for interaction and scene practice

The fees


It would depend on courses you chose. It could be the short and fast track for a month or more or a supreme course ( which may include all top international acting techniques+ creating a Monolog Film + Video introduction+ Website etc. Thd fees may range from Rs 20,000 to 1.5 Lacks (with additional 1 year free workshops, support, and guidance)

If you want to learn privately from the Top Acting Coach-Join Us

How To Develop The Skill Of Concentration For Sure Success

The art of focus and concentration for an actor

How To Succeed In Auditions And In Scene Performance

The Art Of Focus And Concentration 

You are standing before the Camera. Settings are arranged. People are moving around. The Asst cameraman is checking the light intensity with some instrument, right close to your face and calling cinematographer loudly while you are still recollecting your lines. The director is instructing loudly to the crew. Sound technician is adjusting lapel mike on your body breathing on your face.

Suddenly  there is a shout "Ready?" 
Followed by "Sound"..."Lights"...Camera"....a...n...d..."ACTION"
Tensely you start your lines...and you stop! 
There is a block. A total mental block!! You have lost your CONCENTRATION and FOCUS
The director shouts..."CUT"!  

• Everybody looks at you...director,  crew and your Co-stars!
• What a pity! The shooting is stalled because of your mess up!
• Tension builds up affecting your performance and the portrayal of your character when you notice a chaos around you on a set before a "Take". It further aggravates when you see the crowd watching you.

How to overcome this mental block?

5 Ways To Concentrate

• Select an object on the set, say a lamp. A small table, a picture on the wall or anything and keep your focus on it. Even if the shot demands you to look somewhere else, keep looking at that object mentally. You don't see anything else or hearing anything. Just keep focused on that object.
• Go on giving an auto-suggestion that you are "The Character". Go on repeating this in your mind again and again. Say to you "I will do well", "main bahut achcha karoonga"  "yes"! "It will be a great performance!"
• Don't repeat your line now. You have done enough. Repeating just before the "take" may create a mental block
• Take a deep breath and release slowly. Do this 11 times.
• The best is to create a "Wall". Think of your bedroom or any room with a blank wall. Mentally put that wall in front of you, blanking out all the chaos on the set. You are now focusing on the wall, but are not aware of it. Your mind is active and aware of what is happening around, but not seeing it. 

Have You Got It?

Good!

Finally, when you hear "ACTION", go into your "character' and shoot!

Congratulations! You have just given a great performance!

Updated Post

2 Reasons Why Learning "Method Acting" May Ruin Acting Career

Hollywood film: A method acting performance

Is "Method Acting" Technique Is The Best To Be A Good Actor?

Here Are The Analysis And Reasons For A Big NO 

Is Method Acting A Dangerous Form Of Acting Technique?

A.

Yes, because it has the actor use real life trauma's and puts it into the character which has been what a few people have mentioned, but it also can cause the person to have physical and mental breakdowns from the emotional toll it puts having to relive past experiences over and over again. This can also cause the majority of actors to feel this way even after filming because the emotions linger to the person because it's like digging up your ghouls from the basement and putting it in the life to relive it.

B.
The actor using Method also can be "extreme" and need real life weapons to get into character VS. Props. So real knives or loaded guns which can obviously turn sour very quickly by accident.
Bonus Info: From what I know all other acting techniques involve the imagination which can bring out the same quality of acting but keeps the actor safe as their training and tools can remind the actor that what they're going through is not real and the emotions don't hang onto the actor for that exact reason.

C.
The other explanation could be when you try everything to become the character you are portraying.
You put effort into experiencing what the character would actually feel and you may start making changes to your life so you can more intimately connect with the character and understand what the character would think and feel in different situations.

D.
You're not just pretending to be the character and putting on a fake act, you're attempting to assume the actual personality, thoughts, and behavior of the character not only during filming but potentially in the outside world / at home.

E.
If your character is supposed to be sad, you're not pretending to be sad, you're learning to empathize and become the character to the point where the character's sadness is your own sadness and you truly feel sad when you are 'acting' as the sad character. Sometimes you may achieve this by linking your own emotional memories (e.g. of a loved one dying) to the sadness in the character's life, in order to better appreciate what the character would be feeling.
F.
It really comes down to putting yourself in the shoes of the character. You're not just following directions and 'acting' as you're told. Instead, you're actually taking on the life of the character and you're personally identifying with that character so you can understand the character's thought processes, feelings, and then the 'acting' should, theoretically, come naturally without explicit instruction (because you implicitly know, for example, how the character would respond to and feel about certain situations etc.).

2 reasons why to be careful in learning Method Acting

1.
In our fast-moving film, television, and theater industry, we actors are continually asked for "quick results." We must be emotionally available, learn our lines rapidly, and fill our characters with the objectives and desires of a multilayered human being—all without much preparation time. Now more than ever, the deciding factor in a successful audition or performance is the actor's ability to call upon focused inspiration at a moment's notice. After all, inspiration leads to real, organic, surprising, fresh performances. How is such focused inspiration readily achieved?

2.
 A lot of press has covered Method acting over the last several decades, and they often get it wrong. A few things it is definitely not: gaining or losing weight for a role, insisting everyone call you by your character name whether you're acting or not, doing dangerous or questionable activities to be more like your character, avoiding modern stuff when you're in a period piece, etc.

My Conclusion

Every actor is a human and therefore, has his/her own essence, an archetype. The best would be to learn different acting techniques, discover the self and then create his/her own unique acting style This would be under his/her total control and would be flexible to suit the character created by him/her.

Join us to learn all top acting techniques of the world and create your own unique acting style to be a guaranteed Bollywood actor 

Updated Post

15 Types Of Laugh For Camera You Must Learn | How To

Learn The famous laughter style of Navjot Sidhu

If you are acting for the camera, there's good news and bad news. 

The good news: you can create many different takes and an editor/director can choose the one that works best.
The bad news: film crews are expensive, and time equals money. The director will grow impatient if you can't come up with a right realistic la. Depending on the scene and your fellow actors, off camera interaction, can often evoke genuine laughter. Also, surprise moments between actors can work wonders -- as long as the director appreciates!

Studying Laughter

• The sounds of laughter are similar around the world. Most laughter consists of H-sounds: Ha, ho, hee. Other bursts of laughter might contain vowel sounds.
• In fact, there's an entire field of science dedicated to the study of laughter. It's called gelotology. 
• Learning about the mental and physical aspects of laughter can help actors become more adept at producing laughs on cue. 

Facts On Laughter

1. Females laugh more often than men.
2. Men are more likely to attempt to make others laugh.
3. Speakers (joke tellers) laugh almost 50% more than their audience.
4. Laughter often occurs at the end of a sentence.
5. We laugh more when in the company of others than when we are alone.

What can motivate your character's Laughter?

If you can laugh spontaneously and sound believable, you're ready for your audition.
If the laugh sounded forced it might be because you have no idea why your character is laughing. The more you emotionally "Feel" with your character, the more you can feel like her and laugh like her.

How To Laugh

For some actors laughing on *cue can be just as difficult a task as to cry on *cue. Here are a few tips on how to laugh effectively:

• First and foremost, keep your attention on the scene and on your partner. If you are truly engrossed in the moment of the scene, the laugh will come organically.
• Think of the kind of laugh required for the moment. What size or type of laugh is an appropriate reaction to the situation? Sometimes a little chuckle is far more effective than a belly laugh. Although a seemingly inappropriate laugh may work as well, particularly if you are acting in a comedy.
• Be aware of the what the mood of the scene is and decide how your character would honestly react. After that, forget about it. Let the moment carry you through.

When To Stop Laughing

• You cannot continue laughing until eternity unless of course, your character is a maniac. This would depend on the character you are playing. If the role is comedic then an abrupt end and remaining still may work.
• For example, you are playing a character of a subordinate and your boss slips while sitting or mispronounced a word or drops something, which has evoked a laughter in you (natural). You have to stop suddenly and froze realizing that your laughter may be insulting to your boss.
• In a second situation, you are sitting with friends and enjoying jokes. Here laughing belly out may be okay

Watch How Others Laugh

As an actor, you are probably a people watcher already, and if you haven't taken up the pastime of carefully watching others, it's time to begin. Spend the next five days observing different categories of people how others laugh.

• Do they giggle in a high pitched spurt?
• Do they do a courtesy laugh just to please others?
• Are they intoxicated?
• Maniacal? Childish?
• Are they laughing sarcastically? Uncontrollably?
• Are they trying (but failing) to hold it in?
• Take notes if you can.

Here are some of the contemporary laughing style for actors to learn. Few of them are never taught in any acting school and are great to surprise a casting director or a Bollywood director. You can find these laughs in the live video attached below:

 Learn These 15 Types Of Laugh

1. Wheezer Laugh:  The wheezer laugh is the high-pitched whining laugh that sounds like an exploding steam engine.  The person affected tends to have trouble breathing for minutes.  this type of laugh is usually sparked by an unexpected occurrence, like a nun swearing or me telling a funny joke that everyone gets.
2. Chuckle laugh:  The chuckle is the I-really-don't-want-to-laugh-but-think-that-it-is-funny laugh.  Usually, this laugh occurs when someone (like a teacher) in authority finds an underling's statement and/or body reaction to being funny, but also thinks that it would be inappropriate to laugh.  An example would be the time a guy farted in class and a girl asked what funny thing did he say when everyone started to giggle.  Needless to say, it was a struggle not to laugh my ass (or other bodily appendages) off.
3. Mime laugh:  This is the totally silent laugh that only dogs can hear.  the person appears to be laughing heartily, but no sound is heard.
4. Machine gun laughs: when someone laughs like a machine gun. A laugh that is very choppy- for example, the boy had a machine gun laugh. it sounded like a machine gun.
5. Cackle laugh: To laugh or talk in a shrill manner. For example a witch laughter
6. Tee-Hee laugh: a giggle, a cute laugh as in case of a school girl
7. Repeater laugh: when one laughs in the same way as the other
8. High Society laugh: A high profile lady or gentleman laughings in a subdued manner, may be with no or small sound 
9. Lost control or crazy laugh: Laughing wild or in a bizarre way without exercising any control
10. No smile laugh: Laughing within, may be producing sound but without smile
11. All nostrils laugh: Laughing with expanded nostrils
12. Contagious laugh: A kind of laugh which makes others laugh. You continue to laugh and people around you continue to laugh hearing your laugh (http://youtu.be/W59znLRtokk)
13. Doesn't get it laugh: A person laughs though he/she doesn't understand what is the issue
14. Thrower laugh: As a response, a person laughs throwing out whatever the person is drinking
15. Dancer Laugh: Laughing making dancing poses

*cue: a thing said or done that serves as a signal to an actor or other performers to enter or to begin their speech or performance.

How To Create A Knock Out Performance Using 'Sense Memory'

Building sense memory: Smell

Building sense memory: Touch and feel

Do You Want To Be A Good Actor And Give Conceivable Performance To Stun Audience?

Situation In A Scene

• Your script and the scene demands you are in a jungle near Manali Himachal, confined in a hut. It's snowing outside. The cold is terrible. There is no food or water and you are hungry. You have to act now and show how do you feel in extreme cold without food or water.
•  However, the fact is you are shooting in a studio in Mumbai where the temperature is 38 degree Celsius. Very very hot indeed!

How would you bring about feeling extremely cold and hungry?

A. The question is how to create memories? Which instruments to use?
The answer is in recollecting and using all your 5 senses

Touch, Hear, See, Listen and Taste

B. In the above situation, if you have gone to a cold place in your life and experienced cold with all your senses and can recollect, you can do the scene. Because, in spite of studio being hot and humid, you will be able to detach and start feeling cold on your skin, the sound of wind and snow, fog, and snow outside seen from the window and mouth becoming dry

C. This is called re-calling "Sense Memory"

However, to recall the different life situations, you must have them in your memory and this is only possible when you remember them using your senses.

Therefore, keep remembering your activities using your 5 senses and practice them regularly by just recollecting them
For example

• You should remember your blue shirt: It's texture, it's smell, buttons and so on. So, when you get a role of a blind girl or a boy, you pick up just by touching it.
• Look at a tea cup. Feel it: color, smoothness, design, base, handle and it's circumference. Now you are sipping a hot tea. Remember the feeling of  when hot tea touches your lips and tongue. Because in an actual shoot, there may not be any tea but just water and your expressions should be as if you are sipping hot tea.

The Reality

Now, what happens when you don't have any experience of a particular situation?
Then you have use magic
 "IF"

The Power Of Imagination

IF I'm a police officer, IF I'm a beggar,  IF I have consumed 5 large whiskey, IF I'm feeling sexually aroused..... how will I feel and behave? Start visualizing that situation or a person or an item

It's absolutely necessary for an actor to develop THE POWER OF IMAGINATION

AND YOU WILL DO IT

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Join Us And Learn  Acting Techniques

9 Reasons Why Acting Schools May Create A Bad Actor In You

I Want To Be An Actor

Which Is The Best And Economical Acting School?
Or An Acting Coach?

Wait!

Who Are You?

"I'm unique. There is no second then “Me” in the world. I  have my own “type’ an ‘archetype”. I cherish this uniqueness of mine and I'm proud of this self of mine".

Okay Great!

However, remember,

• This individuality of your's has an emotional intelligence- the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions and an intellectual capacity. This applies to learning also where an individual may learn with a group or where an individual may learn better in a focused individual environment’
• Acting is a very fine and an emotionally creative art. Therefore, in my opinion, acting is not like learning a subject like physics, history or mathematics with a large group in a class

  

Disadvantages Of Leaning Acting In A School

1. To an individual, the activities may be perceived artificial. The situations are sometimes and irrelevant to the individual learner’s need.
2. Learning exercises and activities in a large group are difficult to monitor and correct them individually.
3. There is a fear among teachers that a large group may cause sort of uncontrolled fun among learners.
4. It causes embarrassment and awkwardness, in some shy and introvert students in certain situations.
5. It indirectly may encourage incorrect forms of learning like language, voice defects, body language etc. as long as the teacher has a limited class timings and is not encouraged to correct mistakes immediately. 
6. Activities may not be suitable for all the students. The activities that succeeded with some in a group of students may fail with another group or with an individual.
7. One of the most important aspects of learning-To learn and to practice the power of developing imagination, observation and developing creativity, need to create a character and transforming instantly into a character may not be effectively ingrained individually in a group
8. Most of the schools don’t teach all the important acting techniques of the world like Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, Practical Aesthetics and perhaps no one teaches one of the most relevant “Michael Chekhov Technique”
9. Unfortunately, may be the lack of individual focus, marketing and promotion of acting as a business are not taught or stressed effectively and the result is disastrous. The actors fail in getting jobs in spite of being a good actor

The Above 9 Drawbacks of  Acting Schools May Create A Bad Actor in you

However, these problems could be solved if careful thought and planning are used in creating syllabus, creativity in group teaching, empathy and acting as a facilitator rather than a teacher and an instructor

Advantages Of Learning Acting From A School

1. It promotes confidence, trust, cooperation and group cohesion.
2. Learning scene enacting with co-actors.
3. Learning watching some good performance from others
4. Listening co-actors in a scene and reacting real
5. Developing network. A group can be a great source of industry information, auditions and creating good friends who could help an individual in career

Conclusion

• For beginners instead of an acting school, an acting coach who trains an actor on “one on one” basis is better
• For working actors but not professionally trained, an acting school could be preferred 

2 Step Solution To Fight Anxiety and Tension During A Take

How to fight Anxiety-tension in actors

Learning Relaxation Technique in our coaching class

I'm failing in auditions

My performance while filming in a "take" is not good

I'm nervous and tense in auditions and during a "take"

• As an actor, you have little time to prepare. People want desired performance quickly
• The worst enemy of acting-anxiety and tension
• Many actors and other artists reportedly struggle with anxiety, tension. Many fail in auditions and in ?

Performance Anxiety Symptoms

1. Racing pulse and rapid breathing
2. Dry mouth and tight throat
3. Trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice
4. Sweaty and cold hands
5. Nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach
6. Vision changes

The cause

Simply put, stress and anxiety about performing in front of people causes performance anxiety

2 Steps Solution

No Time Available Technique

Breathe out your anxiety

Anxiety makes your breathing shallow and rapid. And rapid, shallow breathing has a way of increasing anxiety—not a useful cycle. Using a quick and easy breathing technique can help you to restore a calming pattern of breathing. If anxiety attacks you, try following these four simple steps to help you find some relief:

1. Inhale deeply through your nose.

2. Hold your breath for a few seconds.

3. Slowly let your breath out through your lips while making a slight sound—hissing, sighing, or whatever comes naturally.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for a minimum of ten breaths.

Performance Success Sitting Technique OF Yoga | Self Hypnotism | Auto-Suggestion

This can be practiced in a sitting position as well

Yoga Relaxation Techniques for actors to Relax Body and Mind A SURE WAY TO SUCCESS!
Yoga is the union with the divine. It is a philosophy used to the growth of mind, body, and spirit and also a system of exercises that help to balance your body and mind. It also increases your breathing techniques and focuses the grouping of your body. This way it can help you tremendously as an actor to overcome tension, tiredness, fears of rejections in auditions, on the set in front of a camera.

"The Corpse pose", also known as Shav Asana, is a tremendous yoga posture that can be used among poses, which allows total relaxation. The corpse pose is a standard yoga relaxation pose, which is practiced by all disciples of yoga.
Anyone at any time when one requires a few minutes of total rest and relaxation can also practice this yoga relaxation technique.
It can be easily practiced while waiting in an audition room or just before a "take" in a shoot. However, it is suggested to begin learning and pracicing this technique in lying down flat position at home, till you start feeling a relaxed and calm state

Method:

• It is most important to select a place for practicing yoga relaxation where you will not be disturbed. You need to wear loose comfortable clothing. First, you lie down on your back with feet about 18 inches spaced out with your hands palm upward about 6 inches from your sides. Let your legs and feet to roll outwards.
• See that your body feels balanced. Close your eyes and relax centering your consciousness on the rise and fall of your abdomen. Deeply and slowly take the breath.

Next step:

Now you have to relax to go into a mild self-hypnotic state and then guide and instruct your subconscious mind:
Instruct starting from > your toes, then legs, thighs, waist, abdomen, shoulders, hands, neck, face mind, then finally eyes. Give a bit of extra time on the individual part of your eyes

For example when you reach to your eyes:

• "My feet from ankle to toe, please relax", wait
• "My feet from ankle to toes are relaxing, becoming study... relaxing..."
• "Wow! My feet from ankle to to are relaxed" wait and repeat
• Like this, slowly proceed to the other parts of your eyes like eyelids, eyebrows. Here you must feel heaviness in your eyelids with a feeling of sleepiness

Once done, the wait, feel a sort of floating feeling, a sense of nothingness.

Next, instruct yourself:

• I'm gonna to be a good actor, repeat
• I'm gonna to remember my lines
• I will do my best in audition
• I will get the role
• I will enjoy filming of scenes, shots
• I'm looking good
• My voice is becoming better

Note

A. Select few objectives
B. Always give "Positive" suggestions to your subconscious mind. NEVER NEGATIVE for example don't say "I will NOT be afraid, "will not be tense" etc. Instead say"I will be this", "I will do" I'm gonna to be great" and so on..
C, Start and try to do this exercise every day. In the beginning, it may take 20 to 30 minutes. Slowly you will be able to do in 10 minutes and eventually you can do in 2 minutes at any place. Maybe just before an audition, or before your shot.

START FROM TODAY! Or

Learn this relaxation technique from us

Updated Post

The Single Factor To Win Auditions And Grab A Role

Showing anger with clenched teeth

The Casting Director And An Actor's Dilemma In Auditions

• Everyone on this earth is a deviate and has a distinct  personality. An actor has to play a character, but everything is ultimately filtered through actor's body and mind.
• From an audition point of view, the process can take as little as few hours or as long as for days. The casting director's objective is to find a right actor to fit into a role, he/she has visualized. You got your lines and analyzed it, then studied the character, set the objectives of each of your lines, recreated the character's  profile from your sense memory, have put yourself into character- his physical attributes, voice, rhythm, mannerism etc... 
• But you are not alone. There are may be 30 or more who got an audition call for the same role and if all of you think on the same lines and prepared for the audition in a similar fashion, changing your psyche and other attributes as per the character, then why a casting director should call 20 or 40 aspirants and select one out of so many? 
• He/she call may be one or two and finalize?
• Therefore what is hidden? When you do not know what is in a casting director's mind, what can you do?

The Secret Of Being Unique

In an audition when everybody is speaking the same lines forcing themselves as a "character', trying to perform in the same way, it becomes a monotonous exploration for a casting director. What a casting director may be looking is a character conceived by him or the story writer "with a difference" or "with sparkle".

So what you do?

• Firstly, find out what attributes of you match with that of a character and what do not (congruent and non  congruent with the character)
• Secondly, push  those traits of you not matching with the character into background (remove)
• Thirdly, develop matching attributes with varied emotions or attitudes

Let me explain the above with an example:

I got 10 lines of an angry man reacting to an abuse. I know the character has to be a bit loud and the rhythm of speech has to be faster with exaggerated facial responses. Now my voice is thin, rhythm slow but I'm good at expressions. I would not be silly to change my voice tone nor rhythm. Will focus on developing my expressions further, will speak with my low voice slowly, may be with hissing through clenched teeth.

Don’t be afraid of your instincts. If you’re trying to please everyone, you can easily lose what is special about you and end up pleasing no one. Always stay within the parameters of what’s organically honest for the role, the scene, and the world you’re portraying, but if a choice strikes you as particularly funny or poignant, don’t be afraid of it!

Obviously, those choices won’t always be on the mark for what “they” want, but you aren't a mind reader and we don’t expect you to be! Casting directors simply want you to come in with a well-defined, intelligent performance. If you’re right for the role, then the director will guide you from there.
In this way, in your career, perhaps you may lose some roles but it should not discourage you. The same guy "YOU" will get you roles that for sure will make your career
This is truer for Bollywood auditions
(However, this does not mean that you should stop imagining about "IF" I'm that person or you should forget about your own life experiences or your "observations" and preparing for an audition.  All I'm saying is to be in a character maintaining your individuality)

Join Us To Learn How To Win Auditions

6 Steps On How To Kiss In A Scene And Be A Romantic Actor

A kiss in Bollywood film

I love romance scenes and wanna be a romantic actor
Okay. Then read below and be one


Having your first kiss is awkward enough, but having your first kiss with a whole crew standing around you is even more uncomfortable. While acting for the camera, a romantic scene may have re-takes of a shot. For some actors, this experience is too scary! Some refuse to kiss which probably may affect their opportunities in films with similar scenes.

Newbie Kriti Kharbanda, who is making her Bollywood debut with horror film “Raaz Reboot,” says kissing on-screen was a tough task for her.

However, any actor who wants to perform regularly and is career conscious will probably fall into a kissing role sooner or later


My suggestion does not mark boundaries for the reason that you do not want to limit yourself and mess up your dream of stardom. Just accept and learn how to!

Requirements

1. As I mentioned above,becoming a romantic actor requires good looks.
2. Becoming a romantic actor is not going to be easy. It is, in fact, more difficult than becoming a regular actor. 
3. A romantic actor must have a charm and appeal that causes women to swoon every time he appears on stage or screen. In short: a romantic actor must be good looking. There are exceptions, of course, but they are rare. 
4. To become a romantic actor it is important to realize that looks are going to be as important as talent.
5. Romantic characters are usually difficult to act out because the scenes that are shot in these films require guts and boldness, especially for an actress. Intimate scenes with unknown men have always been a troubled affair for actresses since long. Therefore, learn to be very close to your co-stars
6. What would you say the most common and essential traits are among romance heroes and heroines?
7. Develop acting technique to portray Faithfulness, Honor, Strength,  Strong Creative Emotions and an ability to exhibit Instant sexual urge and orgasms. 

6 Steps on how to kiss in a scene

1. Don't have a bad breath.
2. Kiss on upper or lower lip missing mouth slightly.
3. Take it as a mechanical task with no romantic implications (If uncomfortable, fake romantic emotions)
4. Understand the type of kiss. The script offers clues, but in the end, this is up to the director. It should be clear whether you are acting out a romantic kiss, a lustful embrace, a quick welcome home kiss, or some other approach. Depending on the camera setup, you may not even be required to make lip contact with the other actor.
5. If you're acting out a passionate kiss, you can close your eyes right before it happens. This looks romantic, but may also help you imagine the scene
6. Imagine someone else. If you're having trouble making the kiss look believable, imagine that you're kissing someone you want to kiss

 Join us to learn

Things You'll Need

1. A good coordinator, especially the one who deals primarily with Bollywood films/ Feature films by independent producers. Maybe a second coordinator who deals with recommending actors for serials and commercials
2. Physical coach:. Join a gym and work on your body and face
3. Acting coach:: Who should be able to coach you not only on how to be a good actor/ actress, teach you on how to be a romantic actor and also will coach you on mannerism, how to deal with people, language, attitude etc. Ask the coach what types of romantic roles he/she  thinks you are suitable. Listen to coach's advice and act.
4. Work on your image. Ask female friends what they think of your style. How would they describe you? Are you the good-looking geek? The rugged hunk? Romantic actors tend to be typecast. Work out which stereotype you most resemble and work towards achieving this image fully.
5. Research romantic actors such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan or Anushka Sharma. Find out how they managed themselves. Try to learn from their life stories. Network with people involved in producing romantic comedies.
6. Get and go to auditions. You are never going to become a romantic actor if nobody knows who you are. Go for any role going. Don't be too selective. Heartthrobs start out in the most unlikely of places. It is more important that you get on screen if you want to become a romantic actor. 
7. Then have patience and wait for a plum role to come along.

Updated Post

Why It's Critical For An Actor To Practice Observation

Let me come straight to the point. 

Why an actor should indulge in “observation”?

For Survival!

An actor’s observation is a very important trigger to their  imagination. It is something that will help any aspiring actor to become more aware of their surroundings and little details. It develops their sense memory data bank, the power of imagination and eventually their ability to create and transform into a script’s character convincingly.

Professional actors have become amazing observers and this is how they are able to put themselves in

other people’s shoes and gives them the opportunity to act out other roles. Actors who are just starting out will be able to do roles that fit their personality the most but this does not mean that you will be doing the same roles forever. To become a better, you must improve your observation skills and it will help you become the best actor ever. 

It is my favorite because it’s easy. You do not need a rehearsal space, special equipment, or a

dedicated time. It is called “observing,” and I’m pretty sure I’m not the first one to tell you about it.

But it is such an important tool so I think it’s worth considering.

So where can one go to practice? 

Anywhere! Park, mall, tourist spots, In a metro train while traveling,  restaurants, museums,

busy streets, stadiums, shops… You don’t even have to plan anything ahead, just use the

opportunity when it arises. When you’re on a bus in the morning, observe. When standing in

the queue for coffee, observe. When having lunch in a cozy cafe, pay attention to how people

behave, how they react to different kinds of situations, and what are they like. 

Exercise

A. 

Pick one person out of the crowd let’s say in a metro train or bus you are traveling and

focus on them. Give him/her a name. Let’s say for the purpose of this article, he’s Mohan.

How old is he? What does she look like? What kind of personality do you think he has? What

makes him stand out from the rest in the place? Why did you pick him? What do you think

he’s thinking at this very moment and why? Any specific actions on her part? 

Then the true fun begins. A journey into imagination. Try to imagine the life of this person,

who must be your hero by now." What does A do for a living? Does A have a family? Where is

A going now? What is the biggest problem A has to solve? What is A dreaming about? If you

would dramatize A's life, what type of film/ play would it be? A love story? A drama? A

comedy? Why? Imagine a scene with A. Imagine the way he/she talks. Go in your mind as

detailed as you can (depending on how many metro stops you have, of course). The secret is

not to invent random things. Everything you come up with has to have a reason reflected in

the real person in front of you. 

This is the time to do as much observation and indulge in a creative imagination as you can. 

B. 

Once you are at home, write down your thoughts, be that person and practice

C. 

Apart from a person you can observe anything you see, like animal, store, things from nature,

building etc and continue with the above exercise

Observation is an amazing tool that actors can never survive without. Things like these will

train your imagination and return fresh, new, unseen and interesting results and characters

that you can later use in your acting work. Always try your best to put them aside somewhere

in your mental closet — you might just need your Mohan someday. 

Start from now itself. Pick up something and begin the fun!

Updated Post From 2013

Hot And Macho Actors From Best Acting School But No Break | Fix It

Sad and burnt out?

Great! You are a handsome actor hunk or a vivacious female actor and have mastered your craft from the top acting institute. You have created the best resume, picture portfolio and a top show reel. However, you are a bit depressed. You have been waiting to hear from your coordinator or agent the good news of a call for an audition but.....till now no news!

What to do now?

• You must become an expert at the marketing and promotion of acting: as an actor, you are a product among thousands and therefore and if you want film industry should know and use you, you have to market and promote yourself.  And if you don't have business training, find the right acting coach who can help you create the business structure you need.
• Secondly, you may be NOT trained and prepared to give a best audition to grab the role!

The fact is right now you do not have auditions calls. So what are you doing?

1. Tighten your belts and devote time in finding sources of auditions and meet people.
2. Till you get a call, spend a minimum of two hours on web to find out where the auditions are taking place.
3. Market yourself by meeting people. Submit your resume, portfolio and show reel, personally. 
4. Spend around 6 to 8 hours a day on meeting the concerned people.
5. Master the craft of giving a good audition performance.

Here are few selected audition avenues in Mumbai

This Face Book group has 3000 members

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auditions-in-Mumbai/183522495024990

In Balaji Telefilms (Face Book)

https://www.facebook.com/events/133030380056677/

One of the best alternative to search for auditions

http://www.justdial.com/Mumbai/tv-serial-casting%20coordinators

Good but a paid site

http://www.auditionsindia.com/Auditions_in_Mumbai.aspx

Mumbai and Pune

http://www.quickaudition.com/Home/Opportunities

Lots of opportunities but authenticity of ads appearing for auditions have to be checked. Do not pay beforehand(quikr and olx)

http://mumbai.quikr.com/acting-audition-entertainment/acting-audition/x1437

http://mumbai.olx.in/q/casting/c-824

A talent database website with acting jobs

http://www.indiwood.com/jobs2.php

Contact and meet them: SOM ARTS 9867410533

This seems to be a good site

http://www.sphereorigins.com/auditions.aspx

How to give a great audition

Must read our THIS post

Some suggestions by others

Acting and Modeling Audition Tips 

The following article concludes the top 11 Audition Tips to ensure that you show good performance and body language. Make sure that all the preparation you do for a Audition isn’t in worthless. Your body language is key to Modeling and Acting Audition success. 

The top 11 ways to improve your Acting and Modeling auditions when you go to a new Production house or Ad Agency are as follows: 

1) Don't refer anyone as "Uncle" or "Aunty" 

Mumbai film and Advertising industry people take this as a insult, and nobody wants and unwanted relative, be professional use the best word "Sir" or "Madam" or add "ji" with there name, this brings more respect.

2) Make Good Eye Contact 

Make good, strong eye contact. The director on audition may think that because you’re unable to do this, you either have something to hide or you may not have the conviction of your beliefs. If you’re struggling to concentrate when looking straight into someone’s eyes, then try looking in-between their eyes. They won’t be able to tell that you aren’t looking straight into their eyes, but you’ll find it easier to maintain focus. Try it with a friend first to see what I mean. 

3) Keep Smiling 

You need to practice a strong, sincere, smile. A good smile has the power to say, “I’m a happy, confident person and I’d love to work here”. Try practicing smiling in a mirror. Practice a smile that puts people at ease. It’s just as much your responsibility to ensure that there is a relaxed atmosphere during the interview. 

4) Body Language 

Again, try practicing this with a friend first. Make sure that your legs are slightly apart. Place your hands apart, on your thighs is good. Open body language is even more important during the audition. It demonstrates that you are receptive to the question and actively listening. Remember when you practice your body language with a friend to take a note of what to do with each part of your body. Unless you do that – and remember – you’re leaving it to chance that your body language come across well at your Acting and Modeling audition. 

5) Don’t be too relaxed 

It’s easy to appear as if you relax too much. This is especially prevalent if you’re asked to sit in a large sofa seat. Try not to appear too relaxed. Not sitting right back in the seat is a good idea. If you sit forward, it makes you look more attentive and more interested. Some people relax because they’re not very interested. Other people relax because they have bad body language. 

6) Don’t be too Alert

If you’re too alert then you won’t appear too relaxed. If an experienced director is auditioning you then they might put this down to stage fright. They might just judge you on what you’re saying rather than how uptight you appear. However, They could leave the audition with a feeling that you weren’t as good as the other person simply because you were too erect. Try to relax… but not too much! 

7) Sleep well before Acting and Modeling Audition 

It’s all very well having fresh look at your acting audition, but if your eyes aren’t looking bright and interested then you’re making life difficult for yourself! Make sure that you have a good night’s sleep before your acting audition. Remember – this is a very important day – you need to look your best and have no bags under your eyes! 

8) Pay attention 

It’s important to be positive at your modeling audition. You need to demonstrate that you’re actively taking part in the audition. When your director is telling you about the role and script, make sure that you listen. This shows that you are listening and are interested in what they are saying. It shows that your are engaged in the discussion process and want to be part of the Production or movie. 

9) Breathe deeply 

One of the best ways to relax before an important audition is to breath deeply. If you breathe deeply, not only are you relaxing by slowing your rapid, nervous heartbeat, you’re also ensuring that your brain has as much oxygen as possible. This means that you’ll be able to think clearly at your audition and be able to respond to difficult questioning more rapidly. Breathing deeply before an audition will provide you with the effective combination of being relaxed and alert at the same time. 

10) Accept an offer of a glass of water 

You may not feel like a glass of water, but taking a sip from a glass of water can have a calming effect on your audition performance. It can give you an opportunity to collect your thoughts while refreshing you. It will also give you a chance to get used to the surroundings. This will also give you’re the opportunity to gather your thoughts and decide upon any amendments to your acting and modeling strategy as well as reviewing your prepared responses to questions. 

11) Style your handshake 

So many people haven’t got the right professional handshake. Remember that this is part of the first and last impression that you leave at the Audition. If you have a weak, limp handshake then this tells the director that you may not have the ability to deal with confrontation. On the other hand, if your handshake is too strong, then you may not be a good listener. You may be quite confident about controlling a situation, but you may be less likely to be democratic in approach. 

Practice is the key. If you’re able to perform with good body language, you’ll find it much more easier to communicate because you’ll be speaking the same silent body language. This will put you streets ahead of the competition in the race for your dream role.

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Updated post from 2013