Acting

Acting

Whether you’re an actor, voice actor, casting director or anyone else related to the profession of acting, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on technique, audition strategies, headshots and all other topics related to the sweet science of acting

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For those of you who have been snooping at my various blog posts (especially during the Introduce Yourself Weekends), you would know I am an improv guy. I've been performing improv as a member of one group or another since 1994, and been teaching it in some capacity since 2005. I could talk for hours about improv -- games, exercises, characters, techniques, you name it. I recommend that everyone studies it -- not just to build your resume, but to gain the skills to be comfortable improvising when necessary. There is power in the embracing of "Yes, and..."

I know improv gets a bad rap at times -- for some reason, if you ask someone to come to your improv show, it will be occasionally met by sneers of disgust. But, it truly is a fantastic art form. And a useful technique as well -- in fact, from what I understand, improv training is something that casting directors for soap operas look for, given the sheer amount of pages being shot at any one time.

(This is where I put in a completely shameless plug for my improv group, THOSE FOUR MISFITS (www.ThoseFourMisfits.com, our next show is on Friday, August 7 in North Hollywood).

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog post.

Improv can also be a show-saver at times. I can't tell you how many times improv has saved a scene during a play when something goes awry. One of the things improv helps build is trust in your fellow performer, and when you're doing a show, this trust is key. And when things go sideways (as they always seem to do in live theater), improv can help things get back on track.

I'll give an example...and I'm going to praise one of my fellow performers, Andrew Schub, for this one. I'm an improv guy, but his improvisation helped set the play back on track.

I was doing a production of PETER PAN AND WENDY (not the one you're familiar with -- same story, different script, different music, different songs, different dances). I was playing a dream role -- Captain Hook. And, while the material itself was....less than stellar, the cast was awesome, and we had a great time together I enjoyed it immensely -- even the week when I had lost my voice and had to strain just to get a whisper out to be heard in the back row (we weren't mic'd) for back-to-back shows. I still have the hook that was made just for me, and it has appeared in other stage productions of Peter Pan as well.

There were two swordfights in the play, both between Hook and Peter Pan. In the first fight, the tech crew was waiting for a particular sequence to be performed to signal them to hit the sound cue of the crocodile. Rehearsals went off without a hitch. As did the first couple of weeks of shows. And then...on this particular show in question...as I pull out my sword...the blade starts to separate from the hilt (for those who are in the know, we discovered at that time that the sword being used was a push tang, not a full tang). The blade just sort of drooped. In slow-motion. Peter and I looked at each other, with him offering me a "What do we do now?" look. Without missing a beat, Andrew (who played one of my pirate crew) said, "It's all right, Captain. It happens to the best of us sometimes." The adults laughed. The kids didn't get it (when they're older!). We were able to have some banter going on until the sound cue arrived as needed. The scene was saved. And we were able to get the sword repaired in time for the next show.

That wasn't the only time a play I was in had to be saved by improv. Remind me sometime to tell you about the time the thick wooden sword broke at the beginning of the choreographed fight, flying upstage and almost hitting a cast member in the head. I could tell you all sorts of stories. We had to now improvise elements of the fight. And it's not just fight scenes either. What do you do when a piece of furniture isn't moved when the scene changes, and someone has to go get it in character? Improv helps there as well.

Improv isn't just a skill to build your resume with. It's a valuable tool to hold in your arsenal, helping you stay in the moment, flexible, and at times save the production.

Wait a minute...now that I think about it...maybe it's just shows I'm in... Am I the cause of all these mishaps?

Yes, and...

Hey everyone. I wanted to get your thoughts on this from a directing, acting, and PR perspective.

Justin Baldoni recently released a video statement regarding the legal situation with Blake Lively. As filmmakers and actors, we spend our lives studying human behavior, subtext, and body language. When...

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Hey everyone. I wanted to get your thoughts on this from a directing, acting, and PR perspective.

When he explicitly denies the allegations and asserts that the "truth" prevailed, he breaks eye contact, looks away, and closes his eyes.

I’m curious how you all read this:

Is it a genuine reflection of emotional exhaustion and trauma?

Or is it a subconscious distancing mechanism? In behavioral analysis (and when directing actors), closing the eyes is often viewed as a "tell" when someone’s words don't fully align with their internal reality.

There is also the crisis PR element to consider. Baldoni leans heavily into the narrative of justice because the most explosive claims were dismissed. But the reality of our industry's PR machine is that a dismissal just means the claims didn't meet a rigorous legal burden of proof. It doesn't mean the impropriety never happened—especially considering several of Lively's other claims did survive before their quiet out-of-court settlement.

When public figures enter crisis mode, they carefully script their words. But they can't always script their bodies.

What is your read on this as industry professionals? When evaluating a highly calculated statement, do you put more weight on the legal outcome, the spoken words, or the body language?

(Note: You can find the video on his Instagram posted on July 8th).

Ashley Renée Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Writer, Author, Director of Development

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18 people like this

Doug Kayne

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2 people like this
- Joshua Young
- Suzanne Bronson
5 days ago

I think it's not so much learning to be vulnerable, as we're actually born extremely vulnerable. However, we are taught to be stronger and less vulnerable. To hold the cards close to the chest, as it...

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Joshua Young

3 days ago

As an actor for more than 20 years and an acting coach for 15, teaching everyone from complete beginners to award-winning performers, I can say that people absolutely can learn to become vulnerable.

It...

Suzanne Bronson

1
1 person likes this
- Joshua Young
2 days ago

I agree. Vulnerability like, self awareness, is something that is learned. I know for me, my biggest acting breakthroughs have come when I just let the scene happen. Stayed present, and reacted to whatever the other actors gave me.

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1 person likes this
- Doug Kayne
3 days ago

Absolutely. Improv is one of the most useful tools an actor can develop, not simply because it teaches you to be funny, but because it trains you to listen, accept and respond without panicking. What...

Amanda Toney

I feel so strongly about improv - it's so great to get out of your comfort zone. I keep this link bookmarked that helps introverts on leaning into their improv/social skills that I thought I'd share:...

2 days ago

100%, Joshua Young. I will defend improv and its benefits for all eternity. And it's not just about being funny -- in fact, some of my best acting work has been doing dramatic improv. And you definite...

Amanda Toney: Glad to see another fan of improv. Obviously I love it -- even have "Yes, and..." tattooed on my arm. I love performing it, teaching it -- you name it. The applications are plentiful bey...

Dave Pinero

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1 person likes this
- Doug Kayne
2 days ago

Thank you for sharing

Jason Raymaker

1 week ago

The struggle is real for actors. What I have found is the more you put into it the more you get out of it. It also helps to have a flexible job to help keep food on the table and a roof over your head.

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1 person likes this
- Suzanne Bronson
3 days ago

That used to be a stress of mine, but I have a hack. At the start of every year, double-check with your agent that your headshots are still good enough. If they say yes, put that money toward shooting...

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2 people like this
- Sydney S
- James Lagrimas
2 weeks ago

I am so looking forward to this!

Khristine Hvam

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2 people like this
- Sydney S
- Suzanne Bronson
5 days ago

Hey folks! Looking forward to sharing my audiobook experiences and welcoming you all to the next phase in your journey!

Sydney S

5 days ago

Thank you

Khristine !!

Put all questions below for Khristine for the live Q + A !

See everyone soon :)

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Haley Mary

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1 person likes this
- Jason Raymaker
1 week ago

There is so much I've heard over the years that has helped me. A songwriting friend told me that it's not so much about what you know, but it's about who you know. I've also heard others say that acti...

Dan Gabriello

Become the role, creep inside the character's very heart and soul when you do or get the makeup and the dressing done. It you have to play and evil character remember that there are many forms of evil...

Linda Watters

At the very beginning of my career I had a very wise working actor tell me that there will always be someone prettier and younger than you. Don't worry about it. He also said that I was the "girl next door" type. I was so green I barely knew what types were and it was all very helpful.

Carlos Morales

1
1 person likes this
- Jason Raymaker
6 days ago

it's all about connections, this is why you see the most horrible films on these platforms and wonder how they got there. Someone had a connection and they kept going with it.

M McCulloch

2
2 people like this
- Jason Raymaker
- Suzanne Bronson
4 days ago

Don't get caught acting.

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO RB Botto, LIVE on ZOOM Wednesday, July 29th at 4pm PT

State of the Industry, Exclusive Writers' Room Event

18 people like this

Neeru - The water

Vulnerability

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Improv, you're my hero!

Those4Misfits.com

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Favorite and least favorite thing about being an actor

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Audiobook Narration 101. Webinar with Khristine Hvam

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Keanu Reeves shares advice for aspiring actors in new interview

Keanu Reeves shares advice for aspiring actors in new interview | The Express Tribune

Staying mentally well

You Can Script the PR, But Can You Script the Body? A Look at the Baldoni Video

Acting advice

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A Movie Star Flipped Out On Set - Still Can't Explain

Sam Neill, ‘Jurassic Park’ Star, Dies at 78

Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' Star, Dies at 78

Interesting perspective on how acting careers work.

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Acting

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO RB Botto, LIVE on ZOOM Wednesday, July 29th at 4pm PT

State of the Industry, Exclusive Writers' Room Event

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CRAFT AND BUSINESS

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