...about last night.

For the second week in a row I got chewed out a bit in acting class.  This time I was informed that, in essence, I was underplaying too much.  When I first came to the class, I was overplaying, showing off my largess etc; now I am too underplayed - everything is too toned down. 

It's a bit frustrating. But when I sat down after class to ponder my lesson I realized that I just have to split the difference.  Additionally, last night, Steve implored me to put more time into my preparation.  He told me..."Know why you're saying what you're saying.  That is the most important thing I have ever told you.  If you take away even one tiny bit of wisdom from all of my teaching, let it be that."

Fair enough, I can do that.  Next week, the underplaying/overplaying will reach an accord and every action will have a specific reason.  Also, as per Steve's guidelines, I will let it rip and let him be my bullshit detector. 

Another piece I've been working on....

This is a monologue from the movie "An Everlasting Piece".  I really like the monologue.  I chose to work on this one and show it to you loyal readers (more like reader, singular, ha) because it's of someone who is crazy.  If you haven't seen the movie, netflix that badboy.  It's a dark comedy that takes place in war torn Belfast, directed by Barry Levinson.  Here it is, it's not finished but it's close I think.


Monologue from "An Everlasting Piece" from Phillip Chorba on Vimeo.

Is there anything in particular that you cared for, or didn't care for?  I'm looking for another set of eyes on this one. 

What I've been working on...

Here it is....it's pretty close to finished.  A few critiques after the video.



Lancelot Gobbo Monologue - "Merchant of Venice" from Phillip Chorba on Vimeo.


1)The confidentiality was there, the speech variation was good, im satisfied with the sense of play and how i found the moments and importance on the line early on "...and he tempts me, saying to me.." I was pleased with how I layered mischief and a bit of sex.

2) Discovery around the end of the monologue was....ok, but I need to vary how I sound when I say "to run from the jew I am to be ruled by the fiend".  not all discoveries in real life are...exactly...the...same!

3) I need to remember where the conscience is located at all times.  Mid monologue it moved to "the neck of my heart", then a few moments later, I reference him being on my shoulder again...that can't happen.  Its sloppy and shows a lack of concentration.  bad philip!  tisk tisk tisk.  right at "well my conscience says budge." so frustrating!!!!!! c'mon man!

4) the game play role play of the fiend and conscience was.....ok (i know im a perfectionist) but that really gives me an excellent opportunity to chew scenery.

5) ingesting the fiend was steve's idea last week, but the coke snort and rub was my embellishment. he does refer to him as "the fiend" after all.

...about Wednesday night...

So I got chewed out a little bit on Wednesday night during my weekly acting class.  I supposed I plateaued last class or even regressed a little bit.  Things like this are bound to happen.  Steve informed me that when I don't make a connection with the audience and by failing to do so I do not "literally talk to them" (not necessarily in  a "breaking the fourth wall" sense) I become less of a performer and, dare he say it, and dare I agree, more of a bore.  It's OK to make a connection with a specific square inch spot on the wall in front of me, but that is a lot harder to pull off than making a connection with a human beings eye ball.  It's obviously more natural, and it stands to reason, a lot easier to do.


What's funny is this: it has never been directly told to me (or anyone else that I know for that matter) that making eye connection with an audition monitor/Casting Director/etc is a bad thing, but for some reason.....everyone believes this to be true.

While acting is a craft, it is also "the business of selling feelings and emotions".  How can you successfully sell an emotion or a feeling if there is literally no connection?  Right.  You can't. A-DURRRRRR. :-)

Then it suddenly hit me this morning, on the ride into Penn Station (stayed with the in-laws last night).......while acting is defined as so many different things, like.....the reality of doing......behaving truthfully (with or without the mask).......BUT, for my intents and purposes....acting is nothing more than just talking to people.  Just communicating to people.  Cut out all of the unnecessary stuff.  All the fluffernutters...as Steve calls them.  Just talk to people. It was truly a Eureka moment.

This is going to be great.

UPDATE:

When I relayed this to Steve, here is his response:
it is that. it is also actually doing things and saying things 2 people, and not "demonstrating" or "showing" people those things u, the actor, r saying or doing. if u hold a cup, just hold the cup, don't show us that u r holding a cup...

I have new headshots now...

...be warned NYC casting directors, I have new headshots and sharpened acting skills. 

I settled on my headshots

I printed up 50 of these bad boys......

...and I also put this other one on my actors access profile, along with the aforementioned...

RIP Dennis Hopper

I just read the news now, and I am saddened to hear that Dennis Hopper has passed away.  I loved him as an actor.  How awesome of a movie is "Easy Rider"?  Really, really awesome.  His acting style was so great.  He acted with a lot of charm, charisma and always with a little bit of malice simmering just under the surface - as if you never quite knew what he would do next, but you always knew what he was capable of.  I've definitely taken some ideas from him.  Man oh man, he was so great in "Jesus's Son".  That's a great movie also.  Check it out if  you haven't yet.

Haha, I just chuckled thinking about how maniacally evil he was in "Waterworld".  Remember? Ha.

True Romance.  So good.  Dennis, I'm going to miss seeing you on the screen and thanks for being such a powerful presence and congratulations on getting the hollywood star.