RELAX!

WHAT IS YOUR PREPARATION BEFORE YOU SELF-TAPE?

It seems like a trick question, but it really isn't. Obviously, you have an idea of the type of human being – commonly called a “character” – you're playing. You have an idea of what's happening in the scene, what the circumstances are, what you need to accomplish, what environment you're in. You're memorized and hopefully not worried about your lines. You feel ready.

But what do you do right before you press “Record?”

In some recent coaching sessions, I've noticed actors say – or shout – something to themselves like “Let's DO this!” “ACTION!” “Come ON!” It feels more like they're psyching themselves up for a WWE fight than a dialogue between two people.

Guys, unless you're doing a battlefield scene or are being chased by a band of zombies, RELAX! Lee Strasberg said that tension is the actor's enemy and the obstacle to a successful performance. Different types of scenes require different types of preparation, and quite often, the more relaxed you are, the more connected you will be at the start and throughout the scene. We've even proved that in my classes – students do a monologue, then go through a relaxation routine, and then do the monologue again. Everyone notices an enormous difference in their second take. If you're one of the “Let's DO this”-ers, I'm inviting you to make space for the possibility of a different way, especially for relationship-based scenes.

First of all, breathe! I've noticed many actors forget to breathe on camera. Take some deep, relaxing breaths to center yourself. Practice this every day so that your body gets accustomed to taking in more oxygen and learning to relax.

Now that you're centered, make sure you have a very CLEAR and VISCERAL sense of who you're talking to. You may think you know who your Hot Person is, which is my term for the other human being in the scene, but quite often it's only an intellectual idea. Have you ever had to do a confrontation scene that fell flat? Well, that's because you did not clearly have that human being in your bones before you started the scene. Which leads me to my next tip...

Improvise in your own words, talking to the Hot Person, before you hit “Record.” That will get you in the mode you need to be in for your scene. This is perfect for many types of relationship scenes, whether it's a loving, lighthearted one, or a dramatic confrontation. This also gets you talking in your own voice, from your gut, and it's already putting you in a much more truthful place.

Try using these tips and see if they improve your self-tapes and all of your other work. Now, go out there and book those jobs. Let's DO IT!

For more tips and inspiration, follow my studio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andi_matheny_acting_studios/