I’m not sure if it runs in my families DNA, but we always tend to overanalyze the complexity of a situation, and simply forget the simple things. Starting out as an actor, it was a pathological barrier to memorize lines the way they were – because if I were to slip up, the crowd doesn’t know what they don’t know, so I’d usually improv my way through the performance and express something totally different then originally intended (this can be aggravating or extravagant to an artist). While my two months of preparation before iPop was active, I had to use this over analytical brain of mine to creatively trigger a memory that corresponds with my lines. “What would make it personal to me?” I thought. Then I remembered my passion in videography, I simulated in my head the material through the lenses of a short movie. Which also killed two birds with one stone by using the same idea to manifest it into ~reality~! Now I knew the best approach for memorizing my craft, but still, remembering is one thing – Acting is another. What could integrate movement for acting, absurdity for vividness, and my lines for memory? Yes, you guessed it, doing push-ups on the kitchen counter while reciting my lines! The more pieces I had to memorize meant the more absurd my recital activities got. Listen before you judge, being weird is being true to yourself, if it doesn’t hurt anybody, do whatever makes you happy – especially if your career depends on it!
Over 2 Months – To Do List
- Practice Monologues
- Write more skits
- Practice Tongue twisters daily
- Memorize iPop commercials
- No Soda – bad for the skin
- Translate site for easy access on phone
- Embedded Demo Reel on Sites, Profiles
- Close up Magic (Comp Cards) – Potentially
- Energy Distribution
- Prepare Prepare PREPARE – We’re Transforming our Acting Game!
While my training was taking place, I realized what sets the rookies from the pros, what staying ahead of the curb really means. The message in my soul bellowed: “Staying ahead means practicing techniques they didn’t think of, it means giving the people something they didn’t even know they liked.” The definition of a philosopher is Discovery, If I wanted to be unique and separated away from the legends prior before me. I had to focus on my personal growth, not with just acting but mindfulness as well. So I started learning the little things that could set me from the rest, creating original skits, a website portfolio, even as low as close up magic for my business cards! We can only run so far in a day, so I knew I had to distribute my energy properly and pace myself for the encounter in Los Angeles.
Monologue – “Election”
Election” (1999) starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon. A school election speech for Student Body President at Carver High School.
Tom / Drama
Emotion/Setting: Tom is a direct and serious older brother looking to protect his younger sister
Tom: Hey, you! Come here a second.
Reader: You’re Trina’s brother, right?
Tom: Yeah, I am. I AM Trina’s older, much bigger than you brother.
Reader: Okay…….is there a problem?
Tom: Yeah, there is a problem. I know you. I know all about you. Heck, I used to be just like you. I need you to stay away from Trina. Understand? You aren’t good enough for her.
Reader: What’s your problem?
Tom: Problem? My family has been through a lot, but Trina….she wants to make something of her life. She’s going to college. There are tons of other girls out there. Trina is off limits.
Reader: If Trina wants to be with me, what are you going to do about it?
Tom: What am I going to do about it? I’m coming after you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect her. I hope you understand me. Stay away from her.
Bruce / Comedy
Emotion/Setting: Bruce is a sarcastic friend consulting his friend when his car goes missing after a concert
Reader: Where is my car?
Bruce: Joey, I think you’ve been towed.
Reader: Why do you think that?
Bruce: Because you parked in a tow away zone under a sign that says, “Hey there, we are really going to tow your car if you decide to tempt fate and park here.”
Reader: And this is where you say….
Bruce: I told you so.
Reader: I wanted to see that opening band, we were running late.
Bruce: I hear you. Let’s just call your girlfriend.
Reader: Cell was in the car.
Bruce: …and mine is dead so…now we…try to flag someone down?
Reader: In this neighborhood?
Bruce: Come on, we’ve already tempted fate once tonight. There is no way it can get worse…
Nick / Drama
Emotion/Setting: Nick is anxious over a failing relationship with his girlfriend
Nick: I can’t get Stacy to return my calls. You would think she has forgotten the last two years that we have been together.
Reader: Just give her some time. The more you call the less likely she is to call back.
Nick: But there are so many things that we haven’t resolved. The least that she could do is let me have closure.
Reader: She is not interested in making you happy now. She’s trying to get over you.
Nick: Maybe I don’t want her to get over me. Maybe if I wait too long to talk to her it will be too late? I don’t know if I could handle that.
Reader: Well, isn’t she at work tonight? Maybe you should drop by the store and see her.
Nick: You think?
Reader: Why not? You’re right, after two years together, closure is the least she can do for you.
Nick: You’re right. Thanks.
Mike / Drama
Emotion/Setting: Mike is dealing with his guilt while testifying against his peer in court
Mike: You’re not gonna like this.
Reader: Well…spit it out.
Mike: I’ve decided to go ahead and testify.
Reader: Against me?
Mike: I know too much.
Reader: You know nothing.
Mike: Not just about the fire, but about the business. See everything is out in the open now and the only way we can stop this is to speak truthfully.
Reader: Man, I thought we were friends.
Mike: We were but this is bigger than us! I gotta do the right thing.
Lawrence / Comedy
Emotion/Setting: Lawrence is naive while bragging about his life accomplishments
Reader: Wow, Lawrence! What happened to you? I haven’t seen you since High School Graduation!
Lawrence: What happened is I finally started living my life, I mean really living!
Reader: Is that so? What college did you end up attending?
Lawrence: College? College is for dummies and contortionists. I ain’t no dummy and I sure don’t contort! Like Frosty the Snowman once said, “Two roads divulged in a wood, and I took the one less likely to melt me”.
Reader: I believe the quote is actually from Robert Frost and says….
Lawrence: Look, you say “Tomato”, I say “pajamas”. Point is, I’m living my life day by day, just living in the moment, you know? And I’ve got to tell you, I feel that nothing can get in my way.
Reader: Well, I’m glad to see you so satisfied. That’s great, really! Oh, by the way, I’ll take fries with my burger.
It was invaluable to over prepare with my memorization, because it didn’t just come in handy for me countless times, I helped my competitors freshen up by having them verse their “Sit Coms” with me. As my sides were written down in my heart; I only had to work on my delivery, which benefited my friends moments before they competed in their competition. But this was only the beginning of my preparation. If you’d like to read about this experience in its entirety, check out “The iPop Showcase” blog in My Journey.
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