This document discusses the challenges of being an actor and different acting techniques. It notes that being an actor involves much rejection, sacrifice and having a day job. It describes two main acting styles - presentational, which focuses on outward techniques like voice and movement, and representational, which involves deeply understanding a character's thoughts, feelings and goals. It recommends mastering both styles. Stanislavski's method emphasizes identifying a character's objectives to help the actor truly become the character. The document stresses developing a wide range of skills as an actor through constant study and practice.

1. Actors

8. For the average actor
• The rewards are few
• The work is hard
• The rejection is constant
• The sacrifices are many
• Most have a “day” job.

9. Presentational vs. Representational
• Presentational – from the outside in.
• Study behaviors from historical periods.
– Master many performance techniques
• Vocal skills
– singing
• Dialects and foreign accents
• Physical dexterity
– Dance
– Mime
– Fencing

10. • Representational- from the outside in.
– Enter the mind of character being played.
– Think their thoughts
– Feel their feelings
– Win their goals
– Cry their tears
Be the character don’t act the character.
Which way do you think is best?

11. Stanislavsky
• Moscow art theatre
• Book “An Actor Prepares”
– Create the inner life of the character
– Discover and pursue the characters “objectives”
• Juliet
– Win Romeos love
– Win her fathers respect
– The friars blessing
– The nurses assistance

12. • By concentrating of winning the tasks of her
character during the performance the actor
can lose her stage fright, throw herself into
the character and convincingly represent Juliet
as a real and whole person rather than
simply presenting her as a fictional-though
admirable- Renaissance teenager.
• Identifying the characters goals is the the key
to this process.

13. Pete’s take
• You need to have the ability to do both.
• Actors need to study and develop their
physical techniques. Voice, style, physical,
movement.
• Actors need to study the inside methods of
discovering the premise of the play, and the
objectives of the character.

14. • You must develop virtuosity
• Study it all
• Become good at it all.
– Juggling, magic, clowning, acrobatics, stage
combat
• Read everything……. Not just acting books
• Develop an expressive voice and a supple
body

15. The actors Instrument
• Voice and speech
• Movement
• Discipline
• Psychological
– Imagination
– Willingness to take risk

16. Actors Routine
• Audition
• Rehearsal
• Performance