Say nothing is when you change your self-talk.

Your old narratives.

It’s a cousin to my ‘Do nothing’ program.

It’s essential for growth to look at your narratives.
You know, like the one you …

One of the five acting questions you ask is, ‘Where am I?’

What space are you in?

How to translate location or stage directions like – ‘She crosses the room.’ ‘She gets out of the car.’ ‘She runs out the door.’ – for an audition can be confusing.

Only use what’s indicated in the script that you like and helps you act. You don’t need to show …

As you speak, your mind can be aware of the beauty and clarity of the language it's creating.

With certain characters – speakers – there is an awareness that their dialogue – their speech - is good. Or, the manner in which they are delivering it sounds good.

It’s an overlapping support, praise and

Your character is a low-status bad guy.  You’re confronted by a high-status good guy or cool bad guy.

There can be different responses from you, the loser. Here’s an iconic order.

Laugh It Off.

The cool guy demands …

Find a phrase that assists you to find a key to what you’re playing.

Use words and phrases that you like and use everyday.

‘You’re stupid.’  ‘Idiot.’  ‘You’re scared.’ ‘I like you.’  ‘Nice eyes.’ ‘I’m winning.’ ‘You’re losing.’ ‘Please.’ ‘I’m sorry.’  Anything simple that you can repeat at any time during your text or your partner’s text. It’s an …

After coaching an actor for a time, I often put them on the ‘Do nothing program.’

It’s very successful.

What does it mean?

It doesn’t mean to do nothing. It means …

For example, the TV series Suits has a confrontational style to it which is quintessentially American in the mode of Teddy Roosevelt and his Roughriders marauding through Cuba in 1898.

That style still exists from then til now …

You want to play well.

Your mind is running a checklist as you act and you’re trying to fulfil the list.

No.

It can go like this with your mind saying, ‘Now breathe. Use your diaphragm. Be in the moment. Listen. Mean it …

That term can be a headache you learn early as an actor.

Not a useful phrase.

Yes, some scenes and speeches are long or more emotional or more important. But, this idea can mislead …

Taking actions to protect yourself so you can do your work is good.

Being dogmatic usually not.

My recent audition experience as an actor shone a bright light on that.

I don’t read breakdowns as they divert me and the three unplayable adjectives bore in my mind like …

As an actor you already know much about language.

And, tomes upon tomes have been written about it. Let’s touch on a few points. 

Writers know language best and actors second best. They create – you interpret. You always begin with the written word. Text.

In TV the writing style reflects the genre. Learn those clues to better deliver what is needed. Shows with speeches having …

This is the proper title.

At the end of the day when we make movies you are acting for the camera. The acting classes geared for film and TV must have this title.

Yes, read-throughs, first blocking …

There are always real objects in front of you when you’re filming.

If you’re supposed to be seeing elephants running towards you see what works best for you to focus your eyes.

For you and for us watching you on screen. Watching your eyes.

If your imagination – of the elephants – does it, then fine. But, a simple technique that is always available …

In an audition class one evening there was a scene where an actor had to drown.

How to do it? She was stumped. Maybe we all were.

We thought we’d improvise drowning and see what it revealed. 

Revelatory. 

First it came out there were two parts to it …

There are many useful dictums about acting.

Here are two that were passed on to me …

When you’re preparing an audition or going on set and you know the situation, the tone, the quality, what you’re doing - try to avoid beating it to death.

You want to work hard. Good. But, ask yourself what hard work means.

Often it means not …

As you speak, your mind can be aware of the beauty and clarity of the language it's creating.

With certain characters – speakers – there is an awareness that their dialogue – their speech - is good. Or, the manner in which they are delivering it sounds good.

It’s an overlapping support …