Author Quote of the Week

This week's quote is courtesy of actress and acting coach Janice Lynde, author of Ten Minutes to the Audition, and comes straight from the book.

Here's Janice's advice about making adjustments during an audition (and she should know; she landed a recurring role in the final season of "Six Feet Under"!):

"One of my first acting gurus, David LeGrant, stressed that actors hear only the first ten percent of what is said before they stop listening. Thus, they focus on making only that ten percent adjustment. To hear the other ninety percent, I encourage you, once again, to breathe and physically relax. This will open up all of your listening channels, including the whispers of your ephemeral intuition and impulse, to whatever the director is asking you to do."

All you working actors out there -- tell us: what are your tips for giving a great performance?

Comments

[Margo]

I think it's true that most people don't hear much of what's said to them. I think it takes concentration... You'd be surprised what you catch in the world around you when you take the time to breathe!

[kristen]

I wonder what it is that causes that massive distraction? Is it that distracted people are drawn to the profession, or is it that people become distracted once they get there?

It's like the same question with olympic gymnasts. Are people who will always be short just naturally drawn to tumbling, or does tumbling keep them 4'11" forever?

[dm]

it's true. although some actors are excellent at giving the performance of appearing to be listening. just as some directors are swell at giving the appearance of directing (by wearing a baseball cap, et al.)

[anonymous]

i think they only hear the first 10% of anything that's said... not just in auditions!