LISTEN. PROCESS. REACT.
What a concept. As humans I think were more prone to the latter out of the three and completely sidestepping the first two. OR some people listen but are totally devoid of the last. And most of the time we skip the middle part all together.
In acting 3, were doing these awesome exercises called Yin Yan. They are supposed to teach us to stay in the moment using the above three words. We are allowed to develop our own dramatic scenario and in the yin yan, one has to be completely resolved to leave and the other has to try and stop them. ...this is all improved, which is the scarier part, because it actually has to deal with our real feelings. Its like stepping out onto a mine field; you don't know where the trigger is going to be. But as actors, we want the triggers to go off, so we can have something to play with.
So once we get over the fear of actually going up and stepping onto the field, we have to play. The key to the yin yan is listening. As storytellers, our natural instinct is to want to drive the scene forward, and to talk when there are silences, to fix whatever the problem is the best way we know how. But in reality its not about the scene its about the relationship.
And that means its not about me, its about THEM. (whoa)
We discovered in class today that the improvs were a lot more interesting when they loved each other. Everyone thinks drama is drama, and that theres all this hate and thats how to get a great dramatic scene. But thats not it at all, its when you love someone and you feel like your gut is getting wrenched out, thats the juicy stuff!
So loving the other person first and foremost and having that love shine through in everything you say, after you listen and process what they told you.
Haven't we seen this before?
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)
Interesting. It doesnt say do not speak. It doesnt say do not become angry. Its just saying, you better have a good reason to do so.
It is actually very interesting because society says to hide feelings. Society says people who are emotional are weak. And while, the Bible says not to hide feelings, it does say to clip your tongue.
Therefore, I'm finding acting ridiculously hard as I'm not one to throw many temper tantrums. Even as a kid, I was pretty quiet (and very shy). I am good at confrontation, but its always calm, or as calm as can be. I'm not scared of it. I'm not even scared of raising my voice or putting in a bad tone, but these are the things that hurt people the most. (which is why in the bible it says to watch what you say) Hurting people by how I say something isnt exactly on my to do list everyday.
So thank goodness for stage. Where yelling, screaming, and hurting people intentionally is allowed. Because frankly, who hasn't imagined a calm confrontation going off the deep end? And really, its fun and exciting to "loose it" once in awhile. Don't get me wrong, most actors don't loose control. Your not suppose to.
This brings me to another conclusion: while there is good reason not to be angry and blow up at everyone every second, why are ALL of our feelings hidden? Yes, I shouldnt yell and curse, but why hide love? Everyone loves and everyone loves back. So why not say it? Or say hey, your interesting. or I'm interested. Why in our society where we "communicate" all the time, do we not communicate what we actually feel?
I'm guessing, because we don't like to feel hurt. Well, isn't that a boring life.
I guess Ill just go to theatre then.
