A question was sent to
me by an actor:“Why do you
think artists take class and continue to study their craft?”
I’ll try to give you my
opinion on that here.
So why do actors,
musicians, athletes practice so much?I sometimes wonder if my doctors, dentist, accountant,
etc practice as much as we artists do.Well I certainly hope so.In fact I pray and desperately hope my surgeon practices and studies as
much as I do.
Yet sometimes we don’t
hear about those “other” people practicing.Well I believe that they do study.At least the good ones do.They read the latest medical journals, they go to
conferences and study new techniques.Yes I believe the good ones do.
So it seems logical that
really great actors, singers, dancers, directors, writers, and musicians
practice.Each in their own
way.In every way that helps them
stay “tuned” so they can create on call.Whenever and where ever they are required to perform.
So yes I believe that to
keep getting better at what we do we practice.As a teacher and a coach I too must keep learning and
finding new ways to help artists improve their technique.Learn how to create a believable,
exciting performance.And just
like we were in kindergarten we learn better when the teacher gives us a new
exercise, a different way of looking at our goal.Our goal which is to be able to create a believable exciting
performance EVERY TIME we go on stage, or in front of the camera and of course
when we walk into the audition room.
Vincent Lombardi, a
legendary football coach said, “It
is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever - the one who
recognizes the challenge and does something about it.”
So I am
happy to stand up and cheer for those actors, writers, directors, singers,
dancers and musicians who decide that they can always improve and take the time
to study their craft.I commend
all of you who do so.
And
that is why I always work so hard to make sure that each and every person who
studies in my workshops finds something new to help them do what they love to
do.Perform in the best way they
know how.
My
greatest joy is when I hear from previous students about how they heard my
voice in their head when they were facing a dilemma in their work and it helped
them solve the problem. For
me, that is the greatest gift I have ever received. And that is why I always make sure to bring new challenges
to every workshop I teach.
I can’t
wait to return to Hong Kong and have more wonderful experiences helping you,
artists, go to another level in your work and in your life.
It must be a lovely feeling when past students tell you how much you've helped them, it must be the greatest gift possible for all the hard work you do. I respect those in all forms who realise the need for practice, I think once someone believes they no longer need to practice than they have hit a brick wall and need to realise it needs to be climbed before they can go further.
What you say about practice is so true. Also, anyone who uses the body as a means of expression has to keep their vehicle in peak physical condition, and practicing various techniques and exercises contributes to better control over that vehicle. It is also good to remind ourselves on a regular basis of the best, most efficacious method of producing the desired result. That is why dancers continually ground themselves in the basic techniques of their form of dance or musicians practice scales and other "basic" exercises. Everything else they do as performers issues from that sound foundation. That is why the basics will always be the foundation. It is fun to stretch and take things as far as they can go, launching out into uncharted territory; but we can only do this if the foundation is firm and the fundamentals have been mastered so that they serve the performer when they are needed.
Although I have been coaching and teaching for many years, my background includes professional work both in musical and acting performances on stage, on screen and in voice over work as well...
Although I have been coaching and teaching for many years, my background includes professional work both in musical and acting performances on stage, on screen and in voice over work as well. If you want to learn more about my coaching, teaching and professional actor/singer background take a look at my website
www. JeanneHartmanActorsDetective.com
I love what I do and I love helping actors and performers reach their highest potential. The "Ah Hah" moments for my clients are some of my greatest joy.
I'm the Actor's Detective so send me your mysteries. Let's solve them together.
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