12 Jan Listening, Being, Receiving
Just receive. This is a concept that Brad speaks on in the work he does – and it relates to the emotional and physical state of listening, being, and reacting.
Similar to being in the moment, actors are often so wrapped up in the rehearsed performance, learning or memorizing lines, or identifying their blocking that they forget to stop, think, listen, and react to what is happening in the scene.
Listening, being, and reacting go hand-in-hand physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
Actors often want to create their Oscar-worthy performance that they often fail by trying to do so.
What makes a performance great, or even potentially Oscar-worthy, is the ability to let a scene breathe.
Focus on each moment as if it is happening in real life. Let the impulses move in a way that feels freeing – as if the body is listening, being, and reacting.
That is a phrase that is worth repeating: listening, being, and reacting.
Listen to the conversation. Listen to the words. Listen to the meaning. Listen to the sounds in-between the dialogue. Listen to the silence. Listen for a heartbeat. Listen for a pulse. Listen for a thought, two thoughts, or more thoughts.
Be in the moment. Be the best performer and the best listener. Be aware. Be open. Be kind. Be there, present, ready to respond. Be practical. Be a good scene partner.
React appropriately. React naturally. React accordingly. React to the silence. React to the noise. React to the atmosphere. React to the minutia. React to the big events. React to the emotion. React to the conversation. React to the words. React to everything.
In the end, there are many emotions and skills required to become an actor, to be the best actor, or to be a confident actor. Start by listening, being, and reacting in a scene.
More on Brad’s thoughts here: Youtube – Listening, Reacting, and Just Being Present