I Don't Need an Acting Class

When breaking down a script, a profoundly important question to consider is: how does the time period in which this play takes place affect my character? It’s not just something you want to understand intellectually; it has to affect you experientially. The time frame is an enormous part of the given circumstances and we must take the time to consider how it influences our characters’ behavior. In this episode, Milton applies this concept to Bernie Dodd in The Country Girl, and how the 1950’s attitude towards the arts affects his mentality and gives him something to play against. “A play exists in a world,” Milton says. “And we need to figure out how my character does or does not fit into this world.” Have a question for Milton? Email him at [email protected]

This week’s episode is an excerpt from Milton’s current script analysis class which gives us insight into how we might begin to approach a play, or any piece of text. Using one of his favorite examples, Clifford Odet’s The Country Girl, Milton introduces some fundamental principals of script analysis: the playwright writes out of his social circumstances; the playwright has something to say that is a reflection of the times in which he’s living; It’s our job to figure out: what is that reflection? What is that big idea that the playwright is trying to impart? What does he want us to consider? “Our job is to interpret the play, not play the part,” says Milton, “And you have to really think of it that way.” Have a question for Milton? Email him at [email protected]

This week’s episode begins with an analysis of Aunjanue Ellis’ performance in the film King Richard and why it’s an example of great acting. Her interior life is so complete and rich that we, as an audience, are able to see (and more importantly, feel) the character’s struggle without any dialogue to reveal plot or exposition. How do we bring this level of depth to our work? One way is to talk out. Talk out your character’s past, talk out their unconscious struggle. This makes our work go beyond a kind of surface performance that is just clear or believable. “It turns the dial,” says Milton. “It gives us more to play and it brings the dialogue to life.” Have a question for Milton? Email him at [email protected]

Milton will be teaching a six-week sᴄʀɪᴘᴛ ᴀɴᴀʟʏsɪs ᴡᴏʀᴋsʜᴏᴘ beginning on Wednesday, January 12th, 2022. I know many of you have expressed interest in taking his class since the beginning of the podcast— and this is your chance! 😄 Class is limited to 20 students— first come, first serve. $500 for the six weeks, BUT— the first 5 people to register before the new year can take advantage of this workshop for the promo rate of $400. Email Walker at [email protected] if interested!

It's the end of Season 3! Thank you all so much for being a part of this podclass. We're gonna take a short break and will be back in 2022 with a season of script analysis! In the meantime, feel free to email Milton with any questions, confusions or comments at: [email protected] Order the book and stay tuned for the latest news at idontneedanactingclass.com

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We have so many tools and techniques as actors that we can easily forget what the missing link is. Or what might help us when we find ourselves stuck. So it’s helpful to step back and ask ourselves: what are the things that I know? What are the acting tools that I have? One of those tools that is often forgotten is the idea. The idea of the play/film, or looking at our character *as an idea*. Often it can be the element that frees us up and helps us make strong choices. Brought to you by weaudition.com and anchor.fm I Don’t an Acting Class- the book is out now! Order at idontneedanactingclass.com

So many actors feel the need to deliver a performance in rehearsal. And yet, rehearsal is not a performance, nor should we expect what we do in rehearsal to be “the final performance”, but a work in progress, a building of the elements that will eventually lead to performance. Rehearsal is an opportunity to try new things, dig deeper, make sure that we have a specific relationship with everything we talk about. That means giving ourselves permission to *be* in rehearsal. It means *slowing down* to make sure every moment is clear and filled. As an outstanding example of this, we hear veteran actor Ben Daniels in rehearsal for The Normal Heart at the National Theatre. Brought to you by weaudition.com and anchor.fm I Don’t an Acting Class- the book is out now! Order at idontneedanactingclass.com

There comes a point, especially when doing a long run that your choices dry up and no longer have the emotional effect on you they once did. But part of being an actor is never allowing our relationship to anything dissipate. Therefore, we don’t ever want to try and recreate what we did last time, or “bring in our homework.” Instead, we have to keep finding new things that activate our talent, making sure our choices keep feeding us. Your creative process must be an endless pursuit where you’re always looking for something else to keep it interesting for you, and to keep you alive on stage. Brought to you by weaudition.com and anchor.fm I Don’t an Acting Class- the book is out now! Order at idontneedanactingclass.com