One Heck of a Ride

If I could teleport back in time and give myself some advice about acting classes before I signed up; it would be "Buckle up buddy, you're in for one heck of a ride."

Now that my class is only 3 weeks away from being over, I can't help myself from reflecting back on the 6 months of intense, life changing experiences I went through. I have to remember the people I met, the people that changed my life and continue to change it. I must hold on to the moments that made me weep, laugh, rage, and tremble with fear. Will I ever be the same after this half year? With honesty I can say "No", I am a changed man. In my own eyes and in the eyes of people who truly support and know me, I have changed for the better. 

Young Screen Actors Academy has been, and always will be a place for me to live, to be Dylan Padgett through and through. I can leave my "baggage" at the door, strip myself of all negative emotion and just breathe. I went in to this class with my gloves down, my thinking cap tight on my head, and my ambitions clear in my mind. However, no matter how much I thought I could prepare myself for this ride; I couldn't possibly have known what I was about to dive in to. After the first week I was using some of my defence mechanisms I tend to have in my real life, I learned how to get over it, or if I could, use it in a scene. During the year we got fabulous sides from fantastic movies and we created characters and scenes from scrap. We learnt how to build these dynamic, well rounded characters, we could breathe life into our work, and it was a blast. The Teachers at YSAA  have taught me more about myself in six months then I've known in 19 years, How? Good question, the answer: magic. No that's not it, not magic, the answer is: they are all unbelievable actors and even greater people. They have lived, and are living fantastic stories, that one day I hope I can retell for the world to see. Every teacher at YSAA knows what they are talking about, and they have years of experience to back them up. I owe these people so much, and I am so grateful to have them in my life.

The People in my life impact me in ways that keep me moving, keep me on my feet, with out loved ones I would be hollow. It's my love for people that put me in this craft. The way people act and react to things, how people cope with a hard day, how people respond to a compliment. Christopher Morley said " There is only one success - to spend your life in your own way."  The interesting thing is that as actors our success comes from figuring out how people spend their life in their own way, and duplicating it. When actors surround themselves with people, friends and positive influences, they will achieve more motivation and inspiration. The actors I have met in class I hope will remain my friends for a very long time. They are all fantastic people, and fantastic actors. I have been through so much with these people, wept with them and laughed with them, they have been a family to me for the past six months. I owe these people so much, and i am so grateful to have them in my life.

I couldn't thank YSAA enough for helping me find my path to being a successful actor, however, as much as you need other people, you have to believe in yourself. I am glad I did the full time program at YSAA, I'm proud that I took initiative for my future. These six months were fun, changed my life, YSAA is a fantastic school, with fantastic teachers, and the students that attend, are nothing less but fantastic.

So, if I decided to go back in time to tell myself something about acting, I'd say, "Buckle up buddy, you're in for one heck of a ride. It's a roller-coaster, sure, but the ups and downs are worth it, because once you get off, you're going to turn around and buckle yourself back in."

Dylan Padgett

Turn it up to 11

There are few worse things than watching an actor nailing a scene but not being able to hear them. Having a mumbler or someone who tends to speak in a whisper is bone chilling; audio is a big deal, speak clearly, and speak up. People are actually interested in what you say, weird, I know. Humans tend to second guess what they say in life, so they say it under their breathe, mumble it, or worse case scenario don’t say it at all. If you’re shy in real life that’s fine, but for the love of acting, do not bring that insecurity on screen. Own the scene; show the world you have something to say. It’s hard to believe someone is fighting for something when you can’t hear them.

So like the great “Spinal Tap” taught me turn it up to 11. Now don’t shout, but project, take a class and learn how to use this great thing called your diaphragm. I’m still learning how to perfect the use of my diaphragm; but ever sense I took Voice Over, Breathing and Movement classes at Young Screen Actors Academy my projection and breathing has improved greatly. Learn how to do it right, breathing and being on your voice are mandatory tools to have if you want to be successful.  These tools actually are important for every person, even people who aren’t actors. When talking to someone who speaks clearly and knows how to breathe properly they tend to give off a vibe of confidence.

Everyone has something to say, so give your character the confidence to say it. We live in a world where some people have a hard time expressing themselves, to hell with that. Give yourself a voice, get the tools that you need to be a great actor. The world needs more great actors, so be one.

Dylan Padgett

For the Benefit of the Bright

For those of you who go to an acting class with an ear to ear smile, good for you!  Never ever change that, you have to be happy in what you do. Come to class with a positive and eager, ready to work attitude, seriously it will help you. If you are willing, ready, and excited to work then you will bring that to you're scene. Your classmates will pick up your energy, and if you can have a entire class thats "buzzing", then strap in because your about to have one heck of a class. 

Having a scene partner that is completely connected to their own energy, and also connected to yours, can have a significant impact on the outcome of any scene you do. So if you find yourself low on energy, do some jumping jacks, push ups, run around, breathe, do whatever it takes to get that blood flowing. On a scale from 1 - 10, 10 being jumping off walls, be a 10, no be a 20. 

A scene needs energy, but an actor also needs energy, so help yourself and go to bed at a reasonable time. When the actors brain is rested then the actor will make great choices, and be able to connect emotionally to the scene and to the character they are portraying. Take care of yourself, hit the gym every now and then, go for a run, do sit ups and push ups in your house, take 30 minutes out of your busy schedule and get that energy up. A Lazy actor is a bad actor. 

Take your career in your own hands and make it the best opportunity for yourself, i know you can do it. Be positive remember why you love this craft, and live your career with a bright, positive attitude.

By:Dylan Padgett