About This Course

A study in preparation, presence, and spontaneity

Actors find they are often ‘in their head’ with the scenario of a scene, rather than grounded and present with the circumstances. This course is on how to prepare fully but, also, to be connected to the circumstances in a direct, physical way, rather than as a mental idea. You will study Sense Memory, Emotional Preparation, Point of Focus and Active Discovery. This is an important course for actors who have trouble being present in a scene. Self taping required the majority of lessons.

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Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

  • 2

    Getting Started

  • 3

    Introduction to Concepts

    • Exercise 1: Relaxation and Sense Memory

    • Relaxation and Sense Memory Exercise Explanation

    • Audio 1: Relaxation Body Scan

    • Audio 2: Sense Memory Cup of Coffee/Tea

    • Sense Memory Exercise Reflection

    • Exercise 2: Active Discovery

    • Active Discovery Exercise Explanation

    • Active Discovery Example

    • Audio: Sense Memory Whole Body

    • Active Discovery Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Active Discovery Exercise

    • Exercise 3: Point of Focus

    • Point of Focus Exercise Explanation

    • Point of Focus Example

    • Audio: Sense Memory Childhood Home/Location

    • Point of Focus Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Point of Focus Exercise
  • 4

    Physicalizing Environment & Relationship

    • Exercise 4: Active Discovery with Environment

    • Active Discovery with Environment Exercise Explanation

    • Active Discovery with Environment Example

    • Audio: Sense Memory of Location from your Past

    • Active Discovery with Environment Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Active Discovery with Environment Exercise

    • Exercise 5: Active Discovery and Relationship

    • Active Discovery and Relationship Exercise Explanation

    • Audio: Presence

    • Active Discovery and Relationship Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Active Discovery and Relationship Exercise
  • 5

    Physicalizing Speaking and Listening

    • Exercise 6: Point of Focus and Speaking

    • Point of Focus and Speaking Exercise Explanation

    • Audio: Sense Memory: On a place - Restaurant/Cafeteria/Coffee Shop

    • Point of Focus and Speaking Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Point of Focus and Speaking Exercise

    • Exercise 7: Point of Focus and Listening

    • Point of Focus and Listening Exercise Explanation

    • Point of Focus and Listening Example

    • Audio: Sense Memory: Childhood Event

    • Point of Focus and Listening Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Point of Focus and Listening Exercise
  • 6

    Moving Physically Through the Scene

    • Exercise 8: Moment Before and Activity

    • Moment Before and Activity Exercise Explanation

    • Audio: Imaginary Circumstances as Moment Before

    • Moment Before and Activity Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Moment Before and Activity Exercise

    • Exercise 9: Dropping the Previous Moment

    • Dropping the Previous Moment Exercise Explanation

    • Dropping the Previous Moment Example

    • Dropping the Previous Moment Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Dropping the Previous Moment Exercise
  • 7

    Final Scene

    • Exercise 10: Final Scene

    • Final Scene Exercise Explanation

    • Final Scene Exercise Reflection

    • How to Submit Final Scene Exercise
  • 8

    Conclusion

    • Course Summary

Reviews

5 star rating

Empowering

Gregory Carrillo

I thought the explanation of sense memory and imaginary circumstances was really thorough. I am really enjoying using sense memory and can see a lot of value...

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I thought the explanation of sense memory and imaginary circumstances was really thorough. I am really enjoying using sense memory and can see a lot of value to it.

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5 star rating

Preparation and Imagination

Bonny Svec

In acting our preparation is in our imagination. How do we get it out of our head into our body to share with an audience? There are tools to pull you into t...

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In acting our preparation is in our imagination. How do we get it out of our head into our body to share with an audience? There are tools to pull you into the body and they are taught in depth in this course. Our body is our instrument. We are training it to be present and to connect with the physical sensations of our feelings in our bodies. Feelings are real, not just an idea. They come up in response to people, places, time of day and they express themselves in our bodies. My experience of feelings has been overwhelm and confusion leading to extreme anxiety and isolation. I have hated my body which so shamefully betrays my inner life. I have sought, most unsuccessfully, to control, deny or hide them. Through this course I have come to physically understand how to get out of my head and go into my body.I am investigating my feelings. Owning them, not denying them. Learning to allow their expression and to be curious . The body is not just some sort of vehicle attached to our head. It is intelligent, separate from the mind and always communicating our experience like it or not.

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