BAD BAD BAD Advice!
When watching Reality TV (and come on, you watch it) it is very difficult to feel sympathy for the super rich and super attractive. I mean, really, how rough can it be to loose your fifth Porsche or your third super model housekeeper?
In school it is often very had to find sympathy for the super smart. There are students who either have smart genes, a quick brain, or amazing luck at tests – these students sit at the front of the class and are loved by teachers – – but, yes, dear reader, there is a dark side to these academically gifted students. All too often they do not make the best actors.
The very skills they have of ALWAYS “thinking before they act” lead them to success in the classroom but can lead to some very predictable, safe, correct – and quite boring work on stage. The very fact that this group of students do very little that they can’t do right – are challenged when it comes to taking risks. Risk spells potential to fail, and failure is incomprehensible!
The real rub that I experience every year is the group of students that are not academically successful. They either can’t get the “A’s” or more likely they don’t care about the “A’s”. This group of students are a mixed bag. They are always a challenge to keep on the academic ship but when it comes to acting many of them out succeed their academically gifted peers. This is a group that often “acts BEFORE it thinks”. This can lead you in the dean’s office if you’re not careful but can also create some magical moments on stage.
Good acting requires a spontaneity. You are asked to react fully and immediately BEFORE the brain has a chance to kick in and deny natural impulse. It is counter-intuitive, but the brain is more in the way then helpful in staying connected to your acting partner.
I have always hated to see “A” students work relentlessly on every project, every essay, character analysis, critique – – – all to see mediocre results on stage. They are tripping on their brain; they are directing themselves before it even comes out of their mouths or onto their bodies. AND THEN they watch that peer that is barely staying afloat in class – – nailing the scene. It sucks. It totally sucks – – AND it’s not fair!
Most of my blogs are complete correct – – – except in cases in which they are not! I am currently working quite successfully with a student that is both at the top of his class academically and the top of his class artistically. He doesn’t follow my theory. He should not have the right to ruin this blog! BUT rather then admit failure I intend to figure out the missing piece in my theory. I am hoping to THINK before I act – – but perhaps I should be trying it out the other way.