MasterBlaster76
ICC Chairman
I drop darma lessons in my school because I can't just can't remember my lines.
But I always want to be a Bad guy in movies
Let me tell you my way of learning lines. For me, it's been extremely effective and fast. What I do is read all the other character's lines onto a tape recorder and then play it back, pausing to add in my lines. I've found by doing it this way, I can be 'off book' very quickly. I would advise against learning lines 'parrot fashion', always make sure you understand who your character is, what your character wants, why, what will happen if they don't get it, how will they get it and what are the obstacles in their way as well as the time-frame of the piece. This is sometimes known as the 7 w's. If you understand these, then even if you do forget your lines on stage, you'll be able to improvise your way out of it.
As far as monologues are concerned, apply the 7 w's and just read it again and again. Try to perform it only if you're someone who can change the way they do a piece after they've learned it. Some people will learn a piece a certain way and will have a hard time taking on a director's notes if the director wants to change the way they perform the piece. Otherwise, consult with your tutor as to how to perform the piece before learning it.
Something else to know about monologues for auditions: Don't just grab a monologue from an audition book, make sure you read the play as well as you never know when the panel may ask you about the play.
Good luck to anyone trying to get into this industry!
By the way, if you could be in any show on TV at the moment, what would you choose? I'd go for 'Doctor Who'! Performing with actors as good and energetic as David Tennant must be a real blast!
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