It's so hard to not play the breakdown because that's what we see first, but yes, that is a complete audition killer. It leads us to play a caricature instead of our true selves, and inevitably leads to us performing like at least 90% of the other actors. I try to ignore the breakdown completely and base my performance off the scene and what I know of the project. Easier said than done, but I'm working on it. And yes, to joy! It's so easy to lose why we're doing this in the first place. We cannot ever lose the joy and passion for the artform, or we will be dead in the water.
Such gems in here. I see them in my in person AND my virtual classes all the time. For those actors who came up in the self-tape era only, a lot of them have a penchant to not want to gravitate away from the mark. In my classroom space, we have a traditional mark and a taped rectangle. That way, once a camera is focused on the actor on the mark, a good actor knows that they have full use of that space. It helps reduce that stiffness and also has the added side benefit of allowing for a reintroduction of play.
In person classes are in Atlanta, GA. We have a self-guided course on building a home studio that you can find on our website (see show notes of this video), and then we do have a virtual workshop option for the Sam Christensen Image Process.
And if you meant Alex (duh, just realized), he's located in Atlanta as well. Though I'll let him respond with links/info about his offerings. I know he does do some virtual stuff...
Right!?! It's an art form that relies on putting yourself permanently out there for others to watch. It just seems unhealthy to categorically hate watching the finished work...
That very last part- HAVING FUN!- was my favorite part. That’s exactly how I feel about auditions. Even the quick turnaround, high pressure auditions. They’re FUN! And even though 9 times out of 10 I won’t watch myself back until hours later, they’re still fun. And with the number of auditions so far in 2024 being a premium… I try to have as much fun as possible and hope for the best. 🤞🏻
Matt, so many of us SO appreciate the great advice you share with us...the effort and time you take to give us the benefit of your experience-based wisdom. This is great stuff. Thanks again.
Matt - another home run of practical, applicable, brutally honest, and insightful advice. Thanks so much. Have been working a lot on having fun with self-tapes/auditions and it really helps! I ask myself: "If it's not fun, what's the point." Thanks for the affirmation. My best to Ms. Brooke and you.
I really appreciate your channel and it makes me very happy and pumped when I see you pop up movies and shows because then I know you are the real deal
Thank you! This was really helpful! Good Luck to every aspiring actor and actress out there. Trust the process, and believe in yourself!!! WE GOT THIS!
Great stuff, as usual Matt. I used to religiously follow the breakdown, but in recent times not so much..... which leads to having much more license to be creative & yes...have more fun.
If you're looking for our current offerings, head to this website: www.get-taped.com/get-schooled We're located in Atlanta, GA, so all the in-person offerings are at our studio (just off I-75 at Northside Dr.). We do offer the Sam Christensen Image Process virtually, and our next offering is 10/18-10/21/24. There are also more links in the show notes of this video.
Good topic. Anything specific you're looking for? Technical challenges or the craft? Or both? It's a broad topic that couldn't all be covered in one workshop...
eyedrops to help avoid blinking,,, another tip ive never heard before. thats awesome.
Happy to help!
It's so hard to not play the breakdown because that's what we see first, but yes, that is a complete audition killer. It leads us to play a caricature instead of our true selves, and inevitably leads to us performing like at least 90% of the other actors. I try to ignore the breakdown completely and base my performance off the scene and what I know of the project. Easier said than done, but I'm working on it. And yes, to joy! It's so easy to lose why we're doing this in the first place. We cannot ever lose the joy and passion for the artform, or we will be dead in the water.
Again, more guitar. Perhaps a duel? I'll be the devil, and I will win. Ha!
Hahahaha. The gauntlet has been thrown down!
omg, the "Triangle" method, i have never heard of that before and I am in such need of this technique, thank you sir!
Yeah I don’t even remember where I learned it. Glad it was helpful!
Such gems in here. I see them in my in person AND my virtual classes all the time. For those actors who came up in the self-tape era only, a lot of them have a penchant to not want to gravitate away from the mark. In my classroom space, we have a traditional mark and a taped rectangle. That way, once a camera is focused on the actor on the mark, a good actor knows that they have full use of that space. It helps reduce that stiffness and also has the added side benefit of allowing for a reintroduction of play.
Love the box idea. Thanks for sharing, Alex!
Where are your classes?
In person classes are in Atlanta, GA. We have a self-guided course on building a home studio that you can find on our website (see show notes of this video), and then we do have a virtual workshop option for the Sam Christensen Image Process.
And if you meant Alex (duh, just realized), he's located in Atlanta as well. Though I'll let him respond with links/info about his offerings. I know he does do some virtual stuff...
18:55 Having seen interviews with actors how they hate watching themselves on film or disliked a film that they did in the past puzzles me.
Right!?! It's an art form that relies on putting yourself permanently out there for others to watch. It just seems unhealthy to categorically hate watching the finished work...
The “hat on a hat” section filled my heart in a way I didn’t know I needed, thank you!
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching (and commenting)!
That very last part- HAVING FUN!- was my favorite part. That’s exactly how I feel about auditions. Even the quick turnaround, high pressure auditions. They’re FUN! And even though 9 times out of 10 I won’t watch myself back until hours later, they’re still fun. And with the number of auditions so far in 2024 being a premium… I try to have as much fun as possible and hope for the best. 🤞🏻
I've always respected your efficiency in taping auditions, AND that you don't watch it back. That's healthy!
I've never heard of the triangle method! So cool!!!!
It works very well!
LOVE this! Especially the reminder about negativity and how easily it creeps in.
It’s our default mode, isn’t it? So hard to monitor sometimes.
Matt, so many of us SO appreciate the great advice you share with us...the effort and time you take to give us the benefit of your experience-based wisdom. This is great stuff. Thanks again.
Thanks, Harry! I appreciate that!
These videos are always so so helpful and informative, thanks for continuing to make them!
Glad you like them!
Matt - another home run of practical, applicable, brutally honest, and insightful advice. Thanks so much. Have been working a lot on having fun with self-tapes/auditions and it really helps! I ask myself: "If it's not fun, what's the point." Thanks for the affirmation. My best to Ms. Brooke and you.
So great to hear. Thanks for commenting!
I really appreciate your channel and it makes me very happy and pumped when I see you pop up movies and shows because then I know you are the real deal
Appreciate that! And I have some fun projects coming out in the 2nd half of 2024, so stay tuned!
Thank you! This was really helpful!
Good Luck to every aspiring actor and actress out there. Trust the process, and believe in yourself!!!
WE GOT THIS!
Yes! WE got this. Love that.
I try to be off book for auditions. But I need to practice having them in hand and using it. I love the triangle example Hadn’t heard that one before.
Yeah I guess the triangle technique is less common than I realized. Thanks for commenting!
Great stuff, as usual Matt. I used to religiously follow the breakdown, but in recent times not so much..... which leads to having much more license to be creative & yes...have more fun.
Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing!
great video as always, thank you
You’re so welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
You're so welcome!
I love this video!!!!!!! 👏😁👏 So helpful!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!
You're so welcome! 😁
I feel like one of the prime examples of stillness, or even focused energy, is watching Michael or Janet Jackson on stage.
Interesting examples. Thanks for sharing!
So where do we sign up?
If you're looking for our current offerings, head to this website: www.get-taped.com/get-schooled
We're located in Atlanta, GA, so all the in-person offerings are at our studio (just off I-75 at Northside Dr.). We do offer the Sam Christensen Image Process virtually, and our next offering is 10/18-10/21/24. There are also more links in the show notes of this video.
Making good self tapes WS?
Good topic. Anything specific you're looking for? Technical challenges or the craft? Or both? It's a broad topic that couldn't all be covered in one workshop...
By Actors - is it the same actors or actress?
Actor is often used for all genders. Sometimes I will say actress, though.