Memorization

Memorization is an absolute neccesity in theatre performance, and It may just be the biggest barrier for any young actor to overcome. As you may know, memorization for theatre and for film are two completely different levels, because when on film, an actor can cheat, but there are no shortcuts in theatre; the actor has to be able to run the entire script straight through in one go.

In the mainstage production that I'm a part of, lack of memorization has been greatly holding us back from moving on with the play. To make it even worse, this play that's giving us so much trouble has to be mastered in pretty much a week's time, though the rehearsal process began only a week ago!

Holding a script is like having a set of crutches, and it's impossible to run with a play like this one when you constantly have to rely on your crutches just to keep yourself from doing a face-plant.

The one week warning has been a huge wake-up call for the cast. We know that until the final performance, this play will have to become our lives. We have to devote our time to work on this memorization until we're strong enough to run on our own, and then it will be all fun from there.

- The Artist

The Filmmaker's Improvisation

The show must go on. No matter what you try to do in the entertainment industry, film, music, whatever, something will always go wrong to stand between you and what you plan to accomplish. For this reason, a film director/producer must be able to improvise.

Time is invaluable, and sometimes, in order to use it effectively (even when conflicts rise), sudden changes in plans may be necessary. Even on professional sets, the unexpected happens to threaten the success of the production. Who's to say that something won't happen to the star, a broken leg, pregnancy, death; all of these throw off production schedules greatly, and usually a director can't wait for things to get back to normal.

Sometimes circumstances may be favourable; if no suitable technology is available and certain wheather conditions (like rain) will make the scene better, then should it not be quickly taken advantage of?

The ability to improvise is a necessity for any film director, and anyone pursuing a career in film must develop this skill if anything, just to stay sane in such a profession.

- The Artist

Special Visit

The Eminence Production Company had a special guest artist this past week, an actress named Olunike Adeliyi. Everything about her was an inspiration, the fact that she is a working actress, the fact that she managed to be successful despite all of the things stacked against her, (being a young, black single mother trying to get an education). But overall, the most inspiring thing about her is the fact that she is from my hometown, and she was a student of one of my current teachers. If a regular person who had it rough could overcome her problems and head for the top of the world, then there is absolutely no reason as to why anyone else can't do the same.


When she was talking, I was just there taking in some of her values. I've noticed that most successful artists that I know of write regularily in journals, accounts, blogs, etc. It's not very often that you'll find one who doesn't; for an exapmle, EVEN STEVE-O (A.K.A. MR. JACKASS) HAS A BLOG. So I figure that there must be something special about regularily writing.

The peace of mind that accompanies writing must be helping these people toward success, or like another one of Olunike's values, maybe it's channeling your thoughts that allows people to know themselves better. Knowing yourself = confidence, especially when it strengthens your values.

 When you can get to the point where you as an artist can confidently interview and filter your potential agents, no doubt; you know yourself well and you trust yourself.


So much can be learned from an artist like Olunike. I was amazed when she told us that while living in New York, she was taught more by the atmosphere than the school that she attended; that she would sit on a park bench and simply allow the city to speak to her. If there's a model artist for emotional awareness and sound inner being, it's Olunike Adeliyi.

- The Artist

Connections

It's important for anyone who is looking for work, whether an artist or not, to gain quality connections. It helps when it comes to getting started  with a career and it adds some greatly needed security.

About a week ago, The Eminence Production Company was challenged with a connections challenge. We split into three groups, and the goal was to see who could gain the most impressive connections in a week (people who we can learn from and/or gain from).

The group that I was a part of managed to get some decent connections, but nothing amazingly impressive. Our best find though, was a photographer who agreed to do a photo shoot of us for free. The challenge wasn't something to be amazed by, and the outcome is still pending, but it serves as a start for the company's ongoing search for connections.

- The Artist

Acting. That's All

I saw a powerful play at the Factory Theatre called "Where the Blood Mixes." If you love raw, honest, true to life acting, then this is a play that you should consider watching.

The actors take no short cuts in their performance; there are no fancy musical numbers, no big love scenes to get the crowd going, but it IS straight intense, raw ACTING. The characters are generally unattractive, and (to be honest) the actors aren't quite on par with the stars in the looks department, but they managed to bring it and demand the audience's attention with their acting alone. The fact that a full auditorium had their eyes glued to a cast that was relatively hard on the eyes is a huge testiment to the skill and performance of the actors involved.

The primary focus of "Where the Blood Mixes" was on the hard issues faced by Canadian Aboriginals in present day life; in this case, children being separated from their parents by the government. Overall, the play was created with a great purpose and it serves it well, spreading the word that there are people out there; our neighbours, who are struggling to survive. This is a play that everyone should go see, for its message, and definately for the acting.

- The Artist

Focus

I find that lately my are always heavy and burning, and my brain feels like a big lifeless rock sitting inside my skull. I guess fatigue is something to learn to deal with when you're looking to get into the industry. Familiar with the phrase, 'work now, sleep (eat, party) later?' That will have to be in my focus if I'll make anything out of a day like today. It's important that I master the ability to stay focused for long periods of time, even when I'm not feeling %100 .

Yes it hurts, but I like to think of it as working out for the mind; the first time you do it, the pain will make you wish you hadn't but if you press through steadily, you'll find that the burn of working out has begun to fade into a mellow, relaxing sensation, an almost pleasant feeling. On top of that, the next time that you work out, it will be easier and the burn will attack you less than it did before. I've been trying this out for that last little while, working out my mind in hopes of one day completely transforming my rock into a lively, working machine, instead of the liability that it sometimes is.

I've noticed that I always have a hard time remembering certain details from the past when asked for them on the spot, and as an actor/writer, I know that I'd better have every experience ready to be pulled on at my discretion. It's for this reason that I hope this 'brain workout theory' works for me. Well I'm actually starting to see some improvement; tough I feel tired and sometimes sluggish to an extent, I find that I can control my brain to move at either 150mp/h or slow it down to 5mp/h which I was really impressed by. I Also find that it's easier for me to articulate my ideas and opinions, and instead of saying 'uhh... umm,' all of the time, I can now start to sound like I know exactly what I'm saying and where I'm going with my points. the brain workout is something that's taking me form being a talented artist who will likely remain idle and jobless for extended periods of time, to being a talented person who is persistent and polished enough to find a breakthrough into the industry.

Temptations like video games and sleeping in have no power when your mind is sober and you've separated yourself from the addiction (yes, laziness is a drug). Start pushing yourlef to focus, and you will find that your desires change when you are able to think and feel clearly, and it's amazing when you are able to think and feel clearly, and take action. Wow, I just went from feeling like a fatigued hospital case, to a clear thinking nerd, just by blogging, what a pleasant surprise.

- The Artist

FMSS Mainstage Production

If you haven't figured it out by now, I guess I should mention that I'm a senior at Fletcher's Meadow SS. I've recently auditioned for the Mainstage Production, which is the play "12 Angry Jurors" (originally 12 Angry Men) by Reginnald Rose.

The play is about 12 people who have been called in, (some against their will), to do jury duty for a case involving a young boy accused of murdering his father. The jury room is hot, crowded and uncomfortable; enough to put anyone in the mood for a fight. Egos cross and tempers fly as time continues to pass and no one is seeming to get anywhere.

I got the role of "Foreman" or "Juror 1," who is the spokesperson/leader of the group. Though his job is to keep order, the circumstances get to him just as much as anyone else.

I can't wait to perform this play!  It will be performed on May 6th and 7th at 7:30pm on both nights. Make sure to get some tickets!

- The Artist

The Spring Movie

I began working on a movie a year ago with a bunch of friends and we have had some success. Half of the movie has been filmed, while the rest will be filmed this summer.

As can be imagined, last year was filled with much excitement, and a lot of stress, because making a movie is a very demanding task. Even a low-budget film requires a level of dedication from each and every person involved in the production. We had just finished filming a movie that was completely improvised and the inconsistency was too much. This movie has a cast of 20 actors plus extras, as opposed to the six actors that we used in the last movie.

The spring movie project has been a lot of hard work and it's only half-way accomplished, but it has promise to be an amazing film when it's all over. You can watch the teaser here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwmjWQfesU4

- The Artist

An Artist's Choice

One thing that has troubled me is knowing that success comes at a price. All people who are looking for the amazing career advancement, the power and the money, must know that it comes at a price. If you want to rise to the top, you have to be ready to put your career first above all other things. Sadly, that even means above your personal life, your family, and even your spouse.

This situation will surely face me when my career in the film industry starts moving. I'll definately want to rise to the top, be the best ever to do what I do, and be a legendary filmmaker. I'll want to win an Oscar and have my moment in front of the entire world, and I'll definately want to be wealthy, living large with millions of dollars at my disposal.

But for me, my biggest dream, my greatest goal is to be happy, and an amazing career on its own will never be enough for me.

I can be the richest man in the world, living in one of my many homes for the weekend, before flying off to Europe for an afternoon just because I feel like it. And It can make me content with my accomplishments, but contentment will never be enough for me.

I'm an extremely competitive person and I refuse to quit until I've achieved my goals, the only thing is that rising to the top of my career is not my number one priority; living a happy, comfortable life with a loving family is. If you asked me to choose between having a wife and having the perfect career, I would actually laugh in your face, because unlike many people, my success in life will be measured by happiness. My family will be first and if it is meant to be, the career and wealth will find their way in, but if anything will be sacrificed in my life, it will without a doubt be the career advancement. Something to think about for all of you ambitious artists out there. 

- The Artist