Acting

So I came across this article today, and I thought I would share it, as it is relevant to this discussion. Melissa Navia discussing acting with practical effects and AR.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1959211/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-3-...

Koby Nguyen yes i feel similarly to you. How magical it must be

Ashley Renee Smith yes i think sharpening one's imagination is true mastery. I'm in awe of actors who seem completely 'in' their imaginative world. I sometimes wish I still had the same imagination i had as a child and I also believe it can be reclaimed.

Suzanne Bronson oh that's really interesting to learn that often these days a combination of effects are used including digital and traditional. I can see how projecting video on the surrounding backgrounds would help the actors. At the same time the puppeteering and costume work makes sense for the. Gorn itself.

I completely understand, Alexandra Stevens!

Ryan OL say more. about your prep process in other dimensions?

This is such a powerful and insightful topic, Alexandra Stevens thank you for bringing it into the space! Exploring attachment styles in the context of acting opens up a whole new layer of self-awareness that can deeply impact our process.

Your point about the fear of being “submerged” really resonated. For actors with avoidant tendencies, the vulnerability required to fully embody a character (especially in emotionally intense scenes) can feel like a threat to their internal stability. And on the flip side, anxious attachment might show up as a need for constant reassurance from directors or scene partners, making it hard to feel grounded in your own instincts.

Alexandra Stevens, I am going to try a new attachment style which involves super glue. Wish me luck.

Wyman Brent could be painful ;) Hope you're well

Ashley Renee Smith I think you are spot on with what you say about how avoidant and anxious attachment styles could show up. Thanks for appreciating the question

You're welcome, Brittany Christine. Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

Hey Brittany Christine, have a nice time and others who will attend

You're lucky, enjoy!

Enjoy and hope it is a fruitful networking event. I look forward to seeing your pics on the Gram :)

You’ll have to bring all the great insights that you get back here to us in the lounge! We need to live vicariously through you, Brittany Christine!

Thanks for sharing your excitement Ashley Renee Smith . That. makes two of us:)

ya!!! oh this is the best news I’ve had in some time, yes! Alexandra Stevens I love this movie, it’s so inspiring and full of positive and possibility energy, o wills definitely be playing Jess when I was that age, total underdog and going against the grain.

ooh i like your enthusiastic response Julianna! I just read your interesting profile. How did you end up in Austen after having travelled all around and been a nomad for a while?

Thanks Alexandra Stevens , the universe's eternal wisdom brought me here, via the pandemic, and when I thought it was all, like the phrase says, " over for me", well, that is when everything was happening for me too, and after having lived a lot of different experiences, after having given up on myself, I just started slowly, but surely, believing in "what if" I can do it, and…here I am, it's a long story, actually wrote a novel inspired by my past life!

Juliana Philippi this is such an inspiring story. It makes me think of the power of letting go of control but not letting go of hope

Thank you for sharing Juliana Philippi that is a very in depth technique. I will remember that if I need to learn an accent again.

I have never been able to try to play a role, or to do an accent, but if I could I would do it with joy!

I needed to learn a dialect and I used a cassette (I'm old) from Acting with an Accent by David Alan Stern. Just like learning lines, I went through the script and made notes and just repeated the dialogue until I felt comfortable with it.

Sounds like a cool challenge! I have yet to experience this and fear I would find it harder now than when I was younger. Seem to feel more self-conscious about trying foreign languages now

I hate heavy accents in film. So, as an example, I introduce my "Shamrock" Kelly character in "The Boss of Hampton Beach" crime script as having a face that resembles the map of Ireland and when he first speaks: Shamrock ( with a very light brogue)

Aye, Danny.

Thank you for your insights Jennifer Ford Very well thought out and in depth answer.

Ugh. I did. Took a HUGE pay cut for one. I'm talking going back to doing student films pay cut. I played a Detective who is also...a bear. No, literally, a bear. No one in the film acknowledges it either. It's just a normal thing, which made it funny as hell. At first I didn't want to do it but my wife made me realize that A) it was a lead role and B) I hadn't booked anything other than commercials in a while. So I did it. And it was some of the most fun I've ever had on set! You never know how things will end up.

That does sound funny Brandon Keeton . And if we aren't having fun, then why are we doing it?

Suzanne Bronson I think my favourite roles are gritty complex characters with lots of depth and probably a fair amount of anguish

Anyone else have something to share?

Oh! I just reread what I wrote there. The underwear part was real but it was a self tape and they did not ask for a full body shot. Just a medium/closeup. I'm not a creeper! Lol!

Brandon Keeton lol, I was trying to picture it when you said it and was confused. Thanks for clarifying. No I haven't been in the position yet of getting a job I don't want but must be testament to your talent that you got it without even trying. Good on you!

I don't think it was talent at all. I think I just REALLY misread the character! Lol!

Brandon Keeton This is such a great reminder that sometimes the energy we think is “off” might actually be exactly what the role needs. Love that it worked out for you, and sounds like the vibe matched the character perfectly!

Amanda Toney will definitely bookmark this! This advice stood out to me:"“The script is not the priority, the character is the priority. Do improvised versions of the scene before you start learning the lines. What you’re doing is, you’re starting to let the character evolve.”

Must-read article, Amanda Toney! This is one of the things that stood out to me: “Make bold choices. Of course, make sure they fit within the story and the life of the character. But don’t go with the same clichéd choices that every other actor is going to make.” (Ani Avetyan)

This is such a fantastic resource, thank you for sharing it Amanda Toney! Casting directors have such unique insight into what truly makes an audition stand out, and I love that this article compiles advice from so many different voices.

For anyone who’s preparing for auditions right now, this is a must-read. Also, if you’re looking to dive deeper, Stage 32 has some incredible Acting Education resources you can explore here: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd and Good Hang with Amy Poehler! I love getting an in-depth look at the life and history of creatives and how they got where they are today.

I love Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum (we are so alike) , SmartLess and How Did Get this Made?

Ooooh, How Did This Get Made is a GREAT one, Suzanne Bronson!

Alexandra, you are so right. Not only are we not mind readers, but quite often, the casting director doesn't know what they want. They know it when they see it.

Thanks for always sharing such wise thoughts here.

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I never ask why I didn't get the part. If feedback is offered, I listen to it of course, but I never make it a habit of asking why I didn't get something. Like a bullet already fired, I can't get the audition back once I turn it in, so I generally forget about it as soon as I hit "send".

It's none of my business why I didn't get the part. A lot of casting has nothing to do with the actor. Sometimes the person the CD likes, is not approved by production. My job is to give it my all at an audition. If I leave knowing I left everything on the floor, then I did my job. Getting cast, is the icing on the cake.

Hi Brandon, maybe I didn't explain things clearly. Before my audition, I never think I am going to book the job. I know there are so many factors involved in getting or not getting the booking. My video is really about how actors shouldn't pay much attention to what is said to them. Sure, listen very carefully, but one must edit everything that is said. Some things could be invaluable and some not worth takin in. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here.

Really love what you say here. It is important to know that casting directors and give their top choices to directors/production, but like you said, most of the time, they don't make final decisions.

Thanks again for always sharing great ideas with us.

Thank you for sharing this Matthew Gross I can relate. I have felt so lost finding a character before. I have been afraid of being recast. I just had to trust the process. Focus on my objects, learning the lines, and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

I LOVE this, Matthew Gross! Thank you for sharing. Katee is one of my all-time favorite actresses and it’s amazing how vulnerable and open she’s been about her journey.

Thanks Matthew Gross I really like watching videos like this. I appreciate how honest she is. Also struck by how she experiences all her characters in her stomach!

Thanks for sharing this Matthew Gross - I've caught her podcasts from time to time and really enjoy them. I've often thought it would be cool if she was cast in one of my features - she just seems so genuine.