My preparation for the performance
Caution - due to nervousness before the performance, it's easy to fall into a state during stage as well film productions goofing around backstage (to relieve the tension). However, this is counterproductive, as it only makes you feel even more upset. As a serious actor, it is your job to get you into a relaxed but awake state - ready to step onto the stage or film set as your character.
Stage fright: A healthy amount of stage fright can be good. There is excessive, negative stage fright, which reduces the quality of performance and a normal, positive stage fright, which has the effect of enhancing performance as eustress.
«A little nervousness is excellent. It creates tension. I only stay completely cool when I don't care about the reaction of my audience. But this means that I disregard my audience, which in turn means that I cannot establish a positive relationship with them. So a little nervousness is proof that you really want to inform, inspire or motivate your listeners.»[1]
Stage fright: A healthy amount of stage fright can be good. There is excessive, negative stage fright, which reduces the quality of performance and a normal, positive stage fright, which has the effect of enhancing performance as eustress.
«A little nervousness is excellent. It creates tension. I only stay completely cool when I don't care about the reaction of my audience. But this means that I disregard my audience, which in turn means that I cannot establish a positive relationship with them. So a little nervousness is proof that you really want to inform, inspire or motivate your listeners.»[1]
Relaxation
Relaxation is there to relieve unnecessary tension. Excessive tension is needless energy that we are supposed to reduce. Relaxation is the basic requirement for authentically embodying my role. There are certain body zones that are particularly prone to excessive tension: the shoulders, neck, temples, base of the nose, eyelids and the entire mouth area including the pharynx and jaw joint muscles. An important part of our instrument (body) is the abdomen or diaphragm. Contrary to any ideal of beauty, we must not allow to hold in the stomach while speaking.
Activation
It is important to reactivate yourself after the relaxation and loosening exercises. To warm up the body we stand upright. The feet stand in hip width, almost parallel on the floor. Slowly start to bend at the ankles. The toes remain on the ground while the heels lift and lower. Then the feet gradually start to bounce, so that each time the feet come off the ground completely. You can shake out your arms. Imagine an invisible strap, attached to your skull, running into the sky and holding you upright. This way you will be raised easily and without tension - after that shake out your legs. To activate your voice you can also do some speech exercise.
Relaxation is there to relieve unnecessary tension. Excessive tension is needless energy that we are supposed to reduce. Relaxation is the basic requirement for authentically embodying my role. There are certain body zones that are particularly prone to excessive tension: the shoulders, neck, temples, base of the nose, eyelids and the entire mouth area including the pharynx and jaw joint muscles. An important part of our instrument (body) is the abdomen or diaphragm. Contrary to any ideal of beauty, we must not allow to hold in the stomach while speaking.
Activation
It is important to reactivate yourself after the relaxation and loosening exercises. To warm up the body we stand upright. The feet stand in hip width, almost parallel on the floor. Slowly start to bend at the ankles. The toes remain on the ground while the heels lift and lower. Then the feet gradually start to bounce, so that each time the feet come off the ground completely. You can shake out your arms. Imagine an invisible strap, attached to your skull, running into the sky and holding you upright. This way you will be raised easily and without tension - after that shake out your legs. To activate your voice you can also do some speech exercise.
Concentration
It is fundamental that we are on the stage or the film set in the moment. This means that I get involved with the here and now, with what is going on in and around me at the moment. If I want to concentrate, I always need an object of concentration. I sit quietly on my chair or on the floor, feel the breath, close my eyes and consciously perceive everything around me. I am concentrating only on what I perceive right now, what is around me here and now. Maybe I hear my heartbeat, smell the scent of wood in the room, someone coughs, now my arm itches and so on. After 2-3 minutes I am completely in the present. This allows me to bring myself back to the present time and I am completely ready for the task that awaits me here. The so-called dissociation exercise also helps you against the blunting of perception and concentration. Move around in the room, call anything you look at loudly with a fake name. Address 10 different objects with false names. Then you will realize that you perceive the things and people around you much more consciously, intensively and clearly.
And finally: Whatever happens in the scene - PLAY THE MOMENT!
Be present in the "Here and Now", in the reality of the story/scene - remember: acting means reacting.
[1] Eva-Maria Admiral, Eric Wehrlin, "Vorhang auf!", Bundes-Verlag Witten
It is fundamental that we are on the stage or the film set in the moment. This means that I get involved with the here and now, with what is going on in and around me at the moment. If I want to concentrate, I always need an object of concentration. I sit quietly on my chair or on the floor, feel the breath, close my eyes and consciously perceive everything around me. I am concentrating only on what I perceive right now, what is around me here and now. Maybe I hear my heartbeat, smell the scent of wood in the room, someone coughs, now my arm itches and so on. After 2-3 minutes I am completely in the present. This allows me to bring myself back to the present time and I am completely ready for the task that awaits me here. The so-called dissociation exercise also helps you against the blunting of perception and concentration. Move around in the room, call anything you look at loudly with a fake name. Address 10 different objects with false names. Then you will realize that you perceive the things and people around you much more consciously, intensively and clearly.
And finally: Whatever happens in the scene - PLAY THE MOMENT!
Be present in the "Here and Now", in the reality of the story/scene - remember: acting means reacting.
[1] Eva-Maria Admiral, Eric Wehrlin, "Vorhang auf!", Bundes-Verlag Witten