Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 8/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Taylor,

finally I made it to Boston and settled in. Here I am, an international student exploring the opportunities for acting at Tufts Unversity, and I do have some results, although minor ones. I just spoke with a woman in charge of the acting classes at the Drama and Dance Department here and asked if I can audit an acting class. She suggested me to either do that at any Intro class taught by grad students (which I wouldn't want to do) or to enroll at her advanced course (since she is more flexible with auditing), but for that she has to audition me. We scheduled an appointment for Wednesday. Could you please give me some tips on how to act during the audition? I know I have to show her my expression skills and a piece of something I am passionate about (for some reason, I feel I can do tragedy better than regular scenes). She also said that she could give me a small assignment and a few minutes to prepare (just like at any audition), but I do get to choose either to come prepared or to do it right on the spot.

I would greatly appreciate your advice.
Thank you.
Best,
Sogdiana

P.S. Btw, her name is Sheriden Thoman, and here is the link where you can read more about her: http://ase.tufts.edu/faculty-guide/fac/sthoma06.drama.htm

ANSWER: Hi Sogdiana,

Wow, she has a good resume of teaching. She seems centered around stage and not film, though, so my question would be if she wants a stage performance, which would be broader than film or television. My guess would be yes. Especially as she has directed Shakespeare.

You will already be conscious (or self-conscious) enough as it is, but you would want to project your voice and have noticeable body movement. I would prefer to err on the side of being too "big" than risk appearing shy, as "big" can be scaled back, "shy" may be seen as lengthy personality flaw to overcome.

I would lean toward a prepared audition over a cold reading, just because I prefer to be prepared, but then, if you are good at cold reading, it may be better for you. Also, she may be less critical on something she knows isn't rehearsed, but would still look for a spark of talent, a quick study who can catch on to the idea rapidly.

If you go with a cold reading audition, try to get a few minutes to prepare. If you know where the room will be, it would help to go in and "get acquainted" with the space and it's acoustics. That way, the room is less strange to your body and mind and that's one less thing to stress you among all the other unfamiliarity. I always go to sets early and hang out and watch everything. It helps me get used to the set and people and relaxes me so I may concentrate better.

Also, when you practice a monolog, be sure you speak out in the voice level you will be performing it in. If you don't, you can find that hearing yourself at normal level will throw off your performance if you aren't accustomed to it.

I think tragedy is fine, just try not to force it. Also, try not to do an overly long piece as it can wear down the audience quickly with the heavy nature of the narrative. Always remember that monologs are like plays: there should be 3 parts, a beginning, a climax and an end.
You want to get the person's attention at the beginning, build to the climax, then bring closure at the end.

If you pick the part, try to find something you know, like the death of a friend, death of a love affair, or loss of something. Something that has happened to you. A friend of mine, David, does a piece about losing a baby at full term. He does a great job of describing it's tiny hands and what it might have been. Unfortunately, it just goes too long. Less is more.

Try to just find out the main thing your character wants or the point of the scene when you do a cold reading. That's the quick and dirty way to do it when you have no time.

I hope this helps! Keep me informed on your journey!

Best,

Taylor

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Taylor!

Just got back from the audition; it was rescheduled by Sheriden for today.

She was intrigued and actually impressed by my "raw talent, exotism, grace, and desire to work in this direction," especially after I told her I am not American. I did tragedy I prepared based on my personal experience as you instructed in your last letter to me. I was questioning happiness in my first scene at Sheriden's office. After I finished, I honestly thought she would say: "Thank you for coming, Sogdiana, but acting is not for you." )) But she didn't. She wanted me to do cold reading for two different scenes and see how I do them. The first was sort of a narrative, but the second more comic. She giggled once when I performed the second one on the stage in the auditorium. Then, after I was done, she made me scream out a few words repeatedly and move at the same time in an insane manner to get rid of shyness and let myself out. It was a small lesson of movement and voice. I even fell on the floor, and it actually felt good. At the end she said: "I will tell you that your career in film is not a far fetched idea," and I was relieved to hear that. Now, I will try to enroll in Acting I class as she advised me to do first. If not, she said she would take me to her Advanced Business Aspects in Professional Acting class, provided I do all the assignments as if taken for credit.

Soooo, this is my result for today, and I am happy I could show what I can do. Thank you so much for advice, Taylor! I will definitely keep you posted on my progress.

Here is my hug,
Sogdiana.

Answer
Hi Sogdiana,

And here is my hug back!!!!

I am thrilled beyond words (not easy to do for me! -loss of words- lol!)!

I give advice to so many, yet never hear the outcomes. I have had a really bad/sad week and this made me smile!

It sounds like she "took a shining to you" -old rural America phrase.

I know you will work hard to prove yourself. I remember the first time I was given coaching and it worked. It was like: "Yeah! this is so cool!"

So you fell on the floor, huh? Hope it didn't leave a bruise!

I was taking still shots for set dressing on a movie called "Courage Under Fire" years ago. (Those are the pictures you see in scenes hanging on walls or on desks and dressers -pics of the actors)

I was playing football with my on-screen sister, actress Meg Ryan ("Harry Met Sally".."Top Gun").
She would catch the ball I threw, then try to run past me, and I'd tackle her. I was nervous! Not about her. I'd met her twice before.
She had said to me before we began: "Don't hurt me!" and I replied: "Don't worry!"

-That made me think of something my first acting teacher had told me: "Never hurt the star! If you accidentally punch them in a scene, not only could it cost big money in filming delays, but you may have trouble getting work again!" So, I made sure when she came toward me, to throw my arms around her and side-step and then fall to the ground with her on top of me. -That way, she would hopefully be fine. She was.
Of course, on the last photo, they asked us to go in "1/2 speed" (slow motion) to try to get a better shot...while smiling. We did it, but my leg was bent sideways and she came down on top of it...

Now, I thought it would just be a photographer, makeup person/hair stylist and a few others watching us. Oh, no! 40 people stood there, including 2 assistant directors and THE director, Edward Zwick! (see: www.imdb.com to look him up)

I was so excited and adrenalized, I didn't know I was hurt until I was driving home 20 minutes later! Luckily, I didn't film for two weeks, so I healed, more or less. Unfortunately, the movie was like 6 hours long and they had to cut it to 2 hrs, so guess who was almost completely cut out? Yeah, me. It happens. My friends felt very bad for me.
If you still frame the scene where Denzel Washington is speaking with our parents, and he picks up our picture, you can click forward, frame by frame and see me and her. I think there was a glimpse later too. I was disappointed, but things like that happen. Know this.

Anyway, please keep me informed! I'm so proud of you.

Best, Taylor

PS: I don't ordinarily do this, but if you send me a "private follow-up question, I would be glad to give you my actual email address. I just don't want it published here!