This Week: Worshiping a Technique and/or Teacher (a.k.a. The Cult Factor)
(Sunday, May 10, 2009)
“Everything I say is right.
Everything I say is wrong.
There are many conflicting opinions in this industry. Don’t take one person’s word as gospel. Including my own. Take what works for you.”
– Paul Russell
 Anyone who has read my book ACTING: Make It Your Business will recognize that quote of mine. It’s on the first page.
Recently I was teaching at one of the schools that I was invited to. (Possibly dangerous having me corrupt the minds of young actors.) We were working on audition technique. We began with the dinosaur of auditions; monologues.
The first student, while doing her monologue, stood with her feet as if glued to the floor. She would give an occasional gesture and then ended the piece with the word “scene”.
My reaction: “What the fuck?!”
I began to work with the student, telling her that in the professional world of auditions, actors can use the space and not be so regimented or worse; manufactured as she had been. Plus only green actors and amateurs say "scene" at the end of an audition.
To all of this the class gasped. Then came looks of confusion. Fear. Followed by students looking uneasily at each other. As if I had just said the vilest defamation against each of their mothers.
I asked what was wrong. Sheepishly they began to reply that they had been taught the complete opposite. A fellow teacher of the school had instructed them to stay “in a box”. If a move or gesture was needed it was to always be matched with a singular word or phrase each time they recited the monologue. And the actor was to have a set number of moves and gestures per monologue.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” is what shot out of my mouth.
Are they actors or puppets?
Not only was this plastic-acting being taught to a number of classes, year-after-year, at this institution; the teacher like me, has set these instructions for acting in a popular book. The book and the teacher I later learned have developed a large following which is nearly cult like. Oh my God.
There was a community theater producer who wrote a book on directing (there’s a dangerous mix). When I was investigating publishers for my book, I flipped through the pages of this director primer. The community theater Presario-author was advising aspiring directors, who may be asked to direct regionally a show that previously was on Broadway, to replicate the original New York production! He instructs that they should not "tinker with what worked" for Broadway. So much for original thought. Young directors reading that book have been terribly misguided.
I once worked for this person. I wasn’t surprised about what I read because when I was asked to direct a show at his facility he handed me a bootleg video tape from the national tour of the show and asked that I replicate what was on the illegal documentation. I refused. As an SSDC director and by law I, and other directors, can not legally replicate the work of another director unless granted permission by that director.
You, as an artist and person, must use what bits of knowledge you pick up on your journey. Either exploit or discard the large volume of “This is how it’s done”’s that hurtle your way.
I’m fucking sick-and-tired of hearing the phrase “People say it should be done this way.” Really? Herd mentality rules? I don’t think so. If you believe in following the masses look at what it did for this country over the past eight years of the Bush administration.
As one of the actors interviewed in ACTING: Make It Your Business said; “There is no right or wrong way. If there were someone would write a book and make a ton of money.”
She’s right. All around. You must take what works for you.
Now you may be thinking; “But Paul, you’re giving advice now.” Yes, I am. And it’s based on my opinion. Most advice is just that. A conclusion formulated by personal experience and observation.
Don’t become cult-ish with any acting teacher, coach or author. I appreciate the tons of praise and compliments received for my musings here and in my book but I fear the day when I overhear someone say; “But Paul Russell said it has to be done this way.” It has to be done THAT way only if it works for you. Let others discover what works for them.
Also; Remember to sign-up for what is to be the last Agent Seminar I’m hosting; Access to Agents.
My Best,
Paul
Paul Russell Casting
SDC Director | Author; ACTING: Make It Your Business
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This week: Sex & Show Romances (a.k.a. “Morning!... sorry.”)
(Sunday, May 31, 2009)
Some readers will say any of the following; “He’s gone too far.” “What does this topic have to do with acting?” “Who are you Paul Russell to give advice on this topic?” And I’m sure there will be a nasty missive or two if I use any language that moralists bitch about but with hypocrosity use themselves with proclivity such as Dick-“Fuck You”- Cheney. (Yes the Dick used those words on the Senate floor of our nation’s capitol). So fuck it. Here we go. I’m gonna' talk about sex.
Sex, show romances and how they influence for better or worse your work. The work of your colleagues. And how these flings past foreplay affect your reputation in this tiny, tiny, overly interconnected industry of show.
Sex: It’s the entertainment of nearly anyone involved in entertainment. It’s our hobby.
Summer stock season is here and it’s high season for cast house rockin’. I should know. I was involved (willingly and unwillingly) in some foundation skakin’ myself.
First of all, in full disclosure, I must admit that I am not unblemished when it comes to my past sex life (no comment on the present). So no morality play here. No Holier-than-thou-evangelical-Prop 8-bedroom-interference. My last show romance was in 1989. It has continued ever since with my partner who I met during a national tour of Annie (o.k…. stop the giggles).
If you’ve worked on a screen or stage project, particularly regional theater and summer stock, you know that long before Survivor and Big Brother, the social experiment of strangers being thrust together in odd surroundings with the goal of each in the collective to push past stresses pressed upon them by forces from within and beyond their control was pioneered long ago with collaboration in the arts. It’s during that collaboration; working, living, eating, and often sleeping together with others that your world becomes increasingly insular as the reality of the outside world fades. And often during that closeness a by-product evolves. Intimate relationships. Some of which last for years, weeks or as in most cases of cast house living; a night or two.
I’m not advocating for or against following the heart or libido while you work. That’s your path to follow or ignore. Just know the following situations can fester and become inhibiting to your original intent; work.
Gossip: Apart from politics and tabloids no where else other than in entertainment is rumor ravaging of others a joyful pursuit for those who have little substance in their own lives.
If you begin any relationship, sexual or romantic (and yes there are differences between the two), you and your partner(s) would do best to keep the relationship out of sight from others. As a director, casting director and former actor I have seen many, many casts and companies become divided because of inter-cast romances. Jealousies and alliances form. Be discrete for the success of both the relationship (or tryst) and the project.
There is one regional theater that I work at in which many of the actors or production personnel tend to pair up. The schedule is hectic and leaves little time for them to go beyond the walls of the company’s rehearsal halls, shops and theaters. Often these pairings lead to long-time commitments and weddings. Both the relationships and company often succeed because the focus remains on the work, not gossip. Not who is dating or sleeping with whom. There are no written rules that I’m aware of about fraternization or displays of intimacy but the company members have a mutual un-spoken respect for respecting the privacy of their relationship and that of others.
Producers: Some producers, particularly among the non-union theaters, have an unspoken “morality meter” they mentally mind for their employees. They prefer that the people in their hire not utilize the work provided as a supermarket for sex. Keep your intimate relations far from producers. At least until a wedding or commitment ceremony; then hit them with your registry list. Producers tend to have more money than you and your actor friends.
Even if you believe you’re mating manners in a company are not excessive or without honor; still keep it from producers and creatives who hire. At least those who are not close friends of yours. If the intimate relationship is with a producer or creative then you really want to keep your relationship quiet. At least until you have to invite guests to the wedding/commitment ceremony. (We can be jealous, bitter-bitches when snubbed)
The Heart: For the newbies to the business and the idealists (both of which I was long ago) ground yourself. Sex does not equal love. Love does not equal sex. What intimate relations that may develop in the heightened emotional state of collaboration may not have happened elsewhere. The atmosphere of working and living close under stresses and adrenalin may spur attractions and situations that you would not normally follow in the “real world”.
From long ago I recall sitting in a living room of a cast house as two people were snuggling on a couch across from me. The young lady was very much enthralled with her new beau. Then came the cold water statement from him to her “Don’t get too cozy honey. I’m not here for long.” Ouch.
Sometimes show romances live beyond the show. Often they’re just that; show romances. Either way, go with some common sense, respect for others, and discretion. Enjoy discoveries. Carry condoms. (Lesbians have on-hand assorted engagement rings)
Side Note: One-on-One Career Marketing Makeover / Audition & Interview Technique Coaching is now Registering the LAST two spots. Details @ Classes
My Best,
Paul
Paul Russell Casting
SDC Director | Author; ACTING: Make It Your Business
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