Tuesday, April 10, 2012


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Last post I described COLD READING techniques, keeping it simple. Those 3½ Directives are what you should be deciding on and doing. 

1) What is your want? 
2) How do you feel toward that other character(s)?
2½) What do you feel about them RIGHT NOW?
3) Turn the tables on them (change your want), and do it soon.
~1 Your character always wants something from the other character(s).
~2 Your overall feeling: Do you, LOVE them, DESPISE them, LIKE them?
~2 ½ You’re feeling for them right NOW: ANGRY, HURT, JEALOUS, 
     DESIROUS, AMUSED, ATTRACTED?
~3 Change your WANT suddenly (do it soon). Change back, or again to 
     something different.
NOTE: The above directives are essential even when you are 
working on script in advance, either for a prepared audition 
or for a production. (These are basic, the minimum)


‘BEATS’ & ‘CHOICES’:


BEATS: When either the ‘topic' the ‘situation’ or the 
'emotion/feeling/mood’* changes, it's a new BEAT.
  • NOTE that emotion/feeling or mood is entirely arbitrary - depending on what you're experiencing in that moment. The other two are obvious.
CHOICES: CHOICES** are all the different ways you attempt/use to get 
what you “WANT” (the No.1 decision). These choices should always be 
thought of in terms of ACTION,  more specifically ACTIVE VERBS: e.g., to 
tempt, to threaten, to charm, to belittle, to seduce, to mesmerize... etc., etc. 
This is because it is ACTION that we play. 
Yes, we have and use feelings/emotions, but we use them to influence 
the CHOICES of ACTION that we make. CHOICES should always be driven
by ACTIVE VERBS. 
**However, for a “cold reading” (which we will define as any side or scene
you’re given for the first time and have less than an hour or so to look over)
planning specific CHOICES is risky. The lack of familiarity with the script
and being somewhat nervous (as most of us are at auditions), focusing on 
pre-planned choices for the ‘BEATS,’ will tend to prevent you from “being in
the moment,” and your delivery could come off forced and false. However, 
seeing where BEATS change can be extremely useful. They will at least
alert you to change your CHOICE (your VERB), your attempt to get what
you’re after. 
More on FEELINGS next time.

Richard

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