Now that I have fulfilled the required acting exercises as a returning student of the Richard Lawson Studios Thursday scene study class, it’s time to put up some scenes! I remember Richard working with two students earlier this year on the rehearsal process. Over the course of several weeks, the class got insight on how to rehearse effectively. Inspired by this series of rehearsal workshops, I couldn’t wait to start rehearsing my scenes. Over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about my experiences with the rehearsal process. Keep reading below 🙂
It feels good to be rehearsing and acting again with my fellow actors. Whether it be via Zoom or in person, it’s great to be working out again as an actor. I’m currently rehearsing a scene from “Yellowstone” (as Jamie) and “Beverly Hills Cop 2” (as Inspector Todd). My scene partner for “Yellowstone” is located in Los Angeles and my scene partner for “Beverly Hills Cop 2” is located in the U.K.! The training continues no matter where you are in the world. Keep reading below 🙂
Utilizing the notes I took from the rehearsal workshops, I knew that I wanted to apply the concept of 40/40/20 with these two scenes. 40/40/20 is a technique created by Richard to help us effectively utilize the time we have to work on something. Whether it’s an audition that’s due in 48 hours or a script that you want to have completed by a certain date, 40/40/20 can be applied to help you utilize your time sanely and successfully. The first 40 percent of the time you have to work on something is devoted to research and gathering information. The next 40 percent of the time you have to work on something is devoted to implementing and applying all of the research you’ve done. Get it up on its feet and work it out. The last 20 percent of the time you have to work on something is devoted to locking in your product and coasting towards the finish line. Don’t change a thing during this last 20 percent. Keep reading below 🙂
The first 40 percent of these two scene rehearsals was about research. For me, that entailed reading the script out loud over and over again with my scene partner. That entailed stopping and asking questions as we read the scene. That entailed looking up words and other things within the script that would help us make sense of the scene. That entailed writing ideas down. That entailed reading the scene out loud again and again with nothing on it and then reading it again and again with a singular choice in mind. That entailed identifying the Abbott and Costello (aka the differences) between my character and the other character. That entailed filling out the character chart for these scenes and writing in my subtext, my emotional through lines, and my chapters…and then modifying those things several times as I discovered more about the event of the scene, my character, my relationship with the other character, etc. I took notes during each rehearsal and gave myself homework to advance myself before the next rehearsal. Keep reading below 🙂
I remember my scene partner in the U.K. and I looking at the cultural differences between an American and an English person and how that can work its way into the dynamics of our relationship in “Beverly Hills Cop 2”. We looked at race and how that also affects our relationship since he and I are both people of color within this police department. We also devoted an entire rehearsal to researching Detroit, its police department, rankings within the department, crime statistics, etc. Keep reading below 🙂
For “Yellowstone”, we explored the journey of Jamie and Beth’s relationship as brother and sister over the course of this series. We looked at how and why we fight. We looked at our upward mobility and white-collar professions versus those of our other siblings. We looked at the Abbott and Costello of our characters. We looked at the dynamic of race and how that has come into play in the past because I’m Latinx and my scene partner is white. If you haven’t seen “Yellowstone”, I won’t give away anything about Jamie, but it works in the reality of us playing siblings. Keep reading below 🙂
I also wanted to share that I always feel like I’m a terrible actor when I read a scene out loud for the first time with my scene partner LOL. I always think to myself, “Let’s get this first reading out of the way as quickly as possible.” Once I get past that first reading, I’m good to go! And soon, I’m like, “Actually, I’m a good actor.” Reading it out loud and putting nothing on it is the first order of the day for me when I start rehearsing any scene. In this way, I can hear what is going on and start getting a lay of the land. I can also hear what my acting partner is bringing and providing in real time. And I’m not trying to act anything in the first few rehearsals. I’m trying to figure things out. Keep reading below 🙂
See you next week where I will share some of my handwritten notes from my rehearsals and continue the journey through the first 40 percent. (I’ve also provided links below to the next four parts of the rehearsal process and journey for your convenience.)
Let’s Rehearse! Part 2. https://chasingthegeorge.com/2023/10/15/lets-rehearse-part-2/
Let’s Rehearse! Part 3. https://chasingthegeorge.com/2023/10/22/lets-rehearse-part-3/
Let’s Rehearse! Part 4. https://chasingthegeorge.com/2023/10/29/lets-rehearse-part-4/
Let’s Rehearse! The Finale. https://chasingthegeorge.com/2023/11/05/lets-rehearse-the-finale/
Chasing The George 