Semester Assessment
This semester I was able to test my acting ability in the realm of film and tv acting. I have taken only a few acting classes; beginning acting and stage combat, and I thought I was ready for more. However, this class was very challenging and throughout the process of the monologue, monster scene, and 2 other scenes that were performed; I feel that it has helped me as an actor and has taken my acting skills to a new level.
The Dramatic Monologue was extremely hard for me. I remembered that I ended Beginning Acting class doing a monologue in which we spent weeks preparing, rehearsing, and getting into character. I was shocked that it was the first thing that we did. I scrambled to think about something recently dramatic. While performing my monologue I felt so much anxiety that I rushed through my lines and my face was frozen with anxiety giving it a very disappointingly bland facial expression. Also, I had trouble reciting my lines even though I wrote them myself.
The monster scene came a little bit easier because I was able to envision my monster clearly. Yet, I still dreaded this moment. Although after seeing all my classmates bravely walk/run/trip and get killed mercilessly by their own imaginary monsters I decided that I must find the courage to go willingly to my own death. As soon as I made that decision I became intrigued with how my monster would kill me. So, when the scene was being shot I did my best to scream in terror as I was being dragged to my doom. I was pleased with my results. However, I realized that I forgot to scream for help and my death seemed a bit too fast. I would liked to have seem myself suffer a bit more.
The audition procedure we went through was really fun. I liked doing the readings and seeing who got the roles for Miami Vice. Shortly after that I went to another audition and it was very similar. I signed in, was given a side to look over. Then I said my name, agent, SAG affiliation in front of the camera, and read the script with someone.
There were 2 scenes that were filmed this semester. “Love, Sex, and Videotape” and “The Grifters.” In the first scene I played Anne. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. I felt that I was so intent on memorizing the script that I didn’t realize that I had to make decisions for the character. Then I was so nervous that I forgot my lines or rushed through them. Noticeable problems were my audio levels. Also, my eyes were all over the place and I wanted to roll them constantly because I didn’t know where to focus.
In “the Grifters” I felt more prepared. I had memorized my lines and spent more time thinking about my character. My partner Jesse and I had a very limited time to rehearse due to school commitments etc... Needless to say, he flaked out on me all the way. Luckily, my fiancée helped by reading Jesse’s lines so that I could spend the rest of my time preparing for my character. I was very upset and nervous about the scene, so I felt more tension and anxiety while filming. I really wasn’t happy to see Jesse when we were shooting. However, I did my best to fake it. I stayed committed to my character despite the distractions I was going through. I kept my eyes on him, listened, and reacted to his words. It felt good to swear at him and let my anger out. Then there is this one part in the scene where he slapped me and I thought about how hurt and frustrated I really was. It was a hard couple of days for me and certainly a very dramatic scene. The tears just kept coming even after the scene was over.
Finally, this semester has taught me a lot about myself and being an actor. I don’t think that I have ever taken a more challenging class. Despite all its ups and downs I really learned a lot. I think that anything else I audition for or any role I play in the future will be as easy compared to this.
The Dramatic Monologue was extremely hard for me. I remembered that I ended Beginning Acting class doing a monologue in which we spent weeks preparing, rehearsing, and getting into character. I was shocked that it was the first thing that we did. I scrambled to think about something recently dramatic. While performing my monologue I felt so much anxiety that I rushed through my lines and my face was frozen with anxiety giving it a very disappointingly bland facial expression. Also, I had trouble reciting my lines even though I wrote them myself.
The monster scene came a little bit easier because I was able to envision my monster clearly. Yet, I still dreaded this moment. Although after seeing all my classmates bravely walk/run/trip and get killed mercilessly by their own imaginary monsters I decided that I must find the courage to go willingly to my own death. As soon as I made that decision I became intrigued with how my monster would kill me. So, when the scene was being shot I did my best to scream in terror as I was being dragged to my doom. I was pleased with my results. However, I realized that I forgot to scream for help and my death seemed a bit too fast. I would liked to have seem myself suffer a bit more.
The audition procedure we went through was really fun. I liked doing the readings and seeing who got the roles for Miami Vice. Shortly after that I went to another audition and it was very similar. I signed in, was given a side to look over. Then I said my name, agent, SAG affiliation in front of the camera, and read the script with someone.
There were 2 scenes that were filmed this semester. “Love, Sex, and Videotape” and “The Grifters.” In the first scene I played Anne. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. I felt that I was so intent on memorizing the script that I didn’t realize that I had to make decisions for the character. Then I was so nervous that I forgot my lines or rushed through them. Noticeable problems were my audio levels. Also, my eyes were all over the place and I wanted to roll them constantly because I didn’t know where to focus.
In “the Grifters” I felt more prepared. I had memorized my lines and spent more time thinking about my character. My partner Jesse and I had a very limited time to rehearse due to school commitments etc... Needless to say, he flaked out on me all the way. Luckily, my fiancée helped by reading Jesse’s lines so that I could spend the rest of my time preparing for my character. I was very upset and nervous about the scene, so I felt more tension and anxiety while filming. I really wasn’t happy to see Jesse when we were shooting. However, I did my best to fake it. I stayed committed to my character despite the distractions I was going through. I kept my eyes on him, listened, and reacted to his words. It felt good to swear at him and let my anger out. Then there is this one part in the scene where he slapped me and I thought about how hurt and frustrated I really was. It was a hard couple of days for me and certainly a very dramatic scene. The tears just kept coming even after the scene was over.
Finally, this semester has taught me a lot about myself and being an actor. I don’t think that I have ever taken a more challenging class. Despite all its ups and downs I really learned a lot. I think that anything else I audition for or any role I play in the future will be as easy compared to this.