--Los Angeles--
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
The actors of "Passion of the Christ 2" are allready learning their lines.
Actors usually learn their lines by getting deeply into the character of the play they are to perform, so that they can ëfeel' what a character would say in any particular situation. The actor then fine tunes' the actual dialogue. One reason for this approach is that the speed of learning lines is secondary to learning them in such a way that the actor gives depth to the part. It is not only what is said, but also how it is said that is important.
Of course, there is no good evidence that using mnemonic strategies would prevent an actor from thinking deeply about the character who was saying the words. It is possible that, as in many other spheres of learning, the distrust of quick methods of learning is misplaced. It is also true that in some situations when what is to be learned is pretty meaningless, actors have been reported as using memory aids to remember their lines. Moreover, some individuals do find it difficult to remember lines using conventional acting approaches, and for such actors, memory aids might well be useful as mental crutches until the lines are learned and they can get into' the part.
Speaking is just like singing in that it involves pitch. There should be a pleasing melody to the way your actors say their lines, raising or lowering the pitch for more climactic moments, but not being a one-note Johnny. Good actors will use their normal speaking vocal range. Every quotation doesn?t have to go up in pitch at the ending. Every angry statement doesn?t have to be yelled. Energy.?During the course of a play or sketch, the audience and actors are in a constant state of communication, all measured through energy. Actors feed energy to the audience, and the audience returns those "vibes." I realize this sounds "new agey," but those actors who are heard and understood the best are those who speak using the energy of their entire bodies. They have good posture, breathe deeply, and put every fiber of their being into their character portrayals. Spend some time with your actors during a warm-up period (about 10 minutes) before each rehearsal or performance, and run through some vocal exercises to help the actors become aware of their speech patterns and enunciation.
Tongue twisters
These drive me crazy, but they?re exceptional for making a person spit out the words. Here are a few I repeat over and over.
You need unique New York.
The lips, the teeth, the tip of the tongue.
Topeka, Bodega.
The sixth sick sheik?s sixth sheep?s sick.
Red leather, yellow leather.
Rubber baby buggy bumper.
Sushi chef.
Blablabla...
You really want to read more of this crap ?
