Getting out of the actors brain and into the characters.

In class recently I have been learning what it means to detach my own brain, person, from the character. 

“Getting out of my own way”. 

As actors, I find, that we always have to be conscious of the world around us. If a pin drops we shouldn’t ignore it but embrace it into the scene at hand. It’s a balance of holding on and letting go; just like my own thoughts and feelings and how they compliment and hurt the characters thoughts and feelings.

My personal story and encounters are huge tools in helping me connect and find a relationship with the character I’m breathing life into. However, this means I have to leave my ego, however big, and all my unresolved baggage, however big, at the door or else my life begins to suffocate the life of my character.

My teacher, Marc-Anthony Massiah said, “ The character should be 90% aware in the brain and the actor should be 10%.”

This is completely translated in my life, my actor brain is on 10% of the time and I take up the rest.  Which is the one thing the actor brain always seems to forget: I am a character in a story being told. Just like the one I am trying to capture in the scene given to me. I’m sure percentage of how much awareness each life gets will change between teachers,but the heart of it should be allowing them both to live in harmony together. And of course having fun while doing it…. But that’s a post for another day.
written by: Dylan and Madison Padgett

to learn more from Marc-Anthony Massiah Check out: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Best-Acting-Workshops-Classes/302097946499406
http://www.youngscreenactorsacademy.com/myschool/