Drama, Monday, Period 2 [05/18]

[magdaofslovenia.livejournal.com]

"Welcome back. This week, we're introducing ourselves, and examining a little more behind the theory of acting: Method vs. Classical." Sophie sipped her coffee. "If you're unfamiliar with the terms, allow me to explain. Method actors follow the theories of Stanislavski and his adherents, that an actor can only truly act when they understand the psychology and sense-memory of a character, and draw on their own experience in order to portray their actions. Classical training focuses more on what is thought of as the externals: the movement, voice, verse-speaking, combat, theatre history, and understanding of the text. One, it's thought, emphasizes the internal, the other the external. We introduced ourselves last week 'in character'-- please do so today out of character, as yourselves, and also one more thing--"

"Voice." Sophie smiled, and said in a perfect Mid-western American accent. "Not just speaking so the people in the back rows can hear you, got it? But cadences and rhythms, timing and approach." In a heavily Serbian-accented voice, she continued, "People, they believe what zey hear, yes? Zey do not notice it so much. But! An impression, yes, it makes one." She switched back to her own BBC-and-RADA-approved British accent. "Emotion isn't the only thing that gets expressed and judged. So does your intelligence, your education, your geographical background, your likely motivations. Today we're going to play with this, using the Expert Translation game." She smiled, then pointed. "And you will introduce yourself first, and your take on what your voice says about you."

[ocd on its way is up!]

Comments

Re: Introduce yourself

[magdaofslovenia.livejournal.com]

"But you use them with confidence," Sophie agreed. "Not like someone who's only read them in books, and isn't certain of their application. Not like someone insecure in their learning, or ashamed of it, as those who've been taught learning is a waste might be."

Re: Introduce yourself

[likethegun]

"I never thought about it that way," Sam said, smiling. "But yeah, you're totally right there. I guess it says a lot more than I thought."

Re: Introduce yourself

[magdaofslovenia.livejournal.com]

"Which, as an actor, we have to be aware of and adjust with the venue." Sophie smiled more widely. "What plays well in Peoria isn't as commonplace in Noo Yawk City, or a bar versus a library," she added, her voice going Brooklyn for a moment.