Do you know what the one thing most actors make excuses for, complain about, moan about or feel is the most difficult part of acting?
LEARNING LINES
Why? Because if we’re not used to learning lines or see it as a chore, it can be pretty difficult to motivate ourselves to get it done. As you know today’s lifestyle is pretty hectic. With so much to remember, lines being added to the mix is another pressure.
But guess what the public will ask more than anything about acting?
HOW DID YOU LEARN ALL THOSE LINES?
Yeah not, “wow you really connected to that scene and moved me, how did you do it?” – HOW DID YOU LEARN ALL THOSE LINES…. Are you kidding me I prepped for 6 months for that role?!
Before I go any further I just want to make it clear that learning lines is not part of developing a character and being able to learn 5,000 pages – although pretty impressive – does not warrant you an Oscar, BAFTA, Tony award or any other award. Learning lines is part and parcel of an actors job and something you really need to get on top of. I am going to share some tips to make the process a little less of a drag for you.
Learning lines, it’s no big deal is it?
Well actually it is for some actors, here’s why…
1. STRESS – lots of actors find it stressful. The first thing to go when we are stressed out is our memory.
2. NEGATIVITY – it’s not being creative the way we are in building a character or moments, so some actors find themselves in a negative spiral saying things such as “I’m rubbish at learning lines”. Have you ever heard the saying “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” – if you always say you can’t learn them, you can’t.
3. PROCRASTINATION – Finding ‘better’ things to do because secretly you find it difficult or just plain boring. You avoid them till last minute then WHAM you have to cram them all in in a short space of time and you do a shoddy job. Come production day you’re more focused on remembering the lines than working moment to moment.
Whatever the reason you struggle, it can be made easier.
Learning lines… it’s no big deal is it?
Not when you follow these tips and find a method that suits you
1. Start early. Don’t be a last minute Larry, it’s not fair to your cast members or yourself.
2. De-stress yourself, you ain’t gonna learn the lines feeling tense physically or mentally.
3. Clear your head, you have to be in a clear frame of mind to learn them or they just won’t stick.
4. Set yourself ACHIEVABLE targets. I say achievable because 10 pages in 10 minutes is a little bit on the crazy side.
5. Sing them to your favourite song – this is a proven technique and makes learning them so much more fun and creative.
6. MOVE whilst learning your lines, movement is scientifically proven to stick them firmly into your brain.
7. Understand WHY you are saying the lines. If you don’t understand something, ask someone. Don’t ever feel silly for asking, it’s better to be clear. Not knowing is a sure-fire way to fill you with tension and tension is a creative vampire.
8. Grab one of the line learning apps.
9. Reward yourself for achieving your targets. Your mind responds well to treats.
10. Mark out the areas you are struggling with when going back through your lines, you either don’t relate to the line, don’t understand it or have a block at that moment. It’s best to identify these early then concentrate on them so you don’t end up drying come production time.
11. As actors are visual people, use your imagination. What images do you see with your lines? Making a connection to them visually will help them sink in and stay in
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NEED MORE INSPIRATION & EFFECTIVE ACTOR TIPS?
If you found these tips useful, you can grab yourself more tips completely FREE. Louise O’Leary is a professional actress, method acting coach and CEO of StandBy Method Acting Studio. Her mission is to help as many actors as she can achieve their acting dreams and become the best actor they can be. Join the hundreds of actors around the world who have downloaded her eBook “Respect your craft, discover my top 45 method acting secrets to launch your career”. bit.ly/free45tipsbook and be on your way to acting success today!
You can also head over to facebook.com/standBymethodactingstudio for inspirational advice and tips every day.
Or if you’d like to work with Louise and join the actors who’ve transformed their acting ability using the word’s most powerful acting technique, you can apply to audition HERE
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