ok, so I got a little *too* into my character there...

[thehefner]

At class tonight, I was still having trouble with getting a grasp on my character (Tom in The Glass Menagerie) apologizing to his overbearing mother. I did everything I could to prepare myself for the scene tonight, reading the previous fight out loud, doing jumping jacks, until I my blood was pumping and my heart was pounding and I was nearly shivering with the intensity and tension the scene required. So it was in this state that my teacher Kate stopped the scene and she and I had the following discussion:

KATE: Tom, why are you apologizing?
ME: Because... my sister Laura asked me to.
KATE: But do you want to?
ME: No... but...
KATE: Then why are you?
ME: Because it's in the... I mean... I... don't know...
KATE: What are you apologizing for?
ME: The fight we had. The things I said to her.
KATE: Do you really feel sorry for saying those things?
ME: No.
KATE: Do you think she really is a babbling ugly old witch?
ME: Yes!
KATE: Are you really going to just give up to her?!
ME: Hell no!
KATE: Do you think that bitch deserves an apology?!
ME: Fuck no!
KATE: FUCK HER!
ME: FUCK HER UP HER STUPID ASS!
*entire class erupts into laughter*
KATE:... okay, you might not want to talk about doing that to your mother...


I jus'... got a little too into character for a moment there...

Comments

[2sick2pray.livejournal.com]

Oh good god... did she really address you as "Tom"?

So weird. I suppose it's not weird. Just not what I'm used to. It just would never happen at Atlantic. All of our teachers would have started that with, "John, why is Tom apologizing?" I suppose there's not really any significant difference but after doing it one way for so long it's strange to hear the opposite I guess. I suppose adhering to either option as a strict rule is a little fascist no matter what, since it's so completely trivial and insignificant. Although I tend to like the acknowledgement of the individual actor above the character that the atlantic way implies, the idea of calling someone by their character's name and having a teacher snap at you to call the person by their actual name, or vice versa really is frustrating.

I'm curious if this is a big thing at Studio. Do they have one way the prefer to handle it all the time or is it flexible?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she does that. And from what I understand, she's one of the nicer ones here. Ever since I interned here at Studio, I began to suspect that the Studio mentality was really not for me. When we're in character in an excercise and she asks our scene objectives and line objectives, we're to say it as the character, why "we're" doing that.

"A little fascist" pretty well sums things up here. The thing about fascism is that it kinda does get results, it's just... well, there are better ways of doing things that work just as well. If not better.

It really means a lot to hear you say stuff like this. Otherwise, I might start thinking that the whole professional theatre world is like this.

the studio whore chimes in ...

[findingjuliet.livejournal.com]

i didn't experience kate always using the character name. i don't remember her ever calling me "blanche" ... though i do recall her talking me through a couple of the tougher pantomime exercises and referring to me as the character i was playing. it never bothered me, strictly because i felt like she was joining me in the moment and she was there with me really guiding me along. i suspect that is what she was doing with you. she didn't want to break you, bring you back to Hef land, it might have destroyed your momentum, so instead of taking YOU out, SHE jumped in.

i also don't think that's a studio thing. Joy never referred to anyone as "Medea" or "Odedius" in greek. That would've been weird, I think.

studio's got it's issues and yes, they are notoriously cliquish, but as someone who's got one foot in and one foot out, i find that i'm generally pleased with what i've gotten from there. i know i'm a better actress for it.

don't forget to remind us when you have your final scenes, i want to come :)

WHORE!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

She usually doesn't call us by character name, but she talks to us as the character. She never, ever wants us to say, "Well, my character thinks..." or "In this scene, Tom is..." She corrected us all on that early on. I can tell ya for certain that I'm not the only one here.

Oh, and I know I'm already a better actor for it! No argument there! They do get results. However, I also know from experience that there are more... pleasant/fun/compassionate ways of doing it, which are equally effective. If not more so. At Studio, I feel less like a human being and more like a commodity on a conveyor belt. Being an intern here was an incredibly impersonal experience, and so is being a student so far. I could never imagine running into Kate or Serge or Joy on the street and any of them honestly being interested in saying hi and asking how I am, what I've been doing. Not in a million years.

And you bet I'll remind you! I especially want you there! :)

[suburbfabulous.livejournal.com]

Creepy, creepy little monkey.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I... you... but she... I didn't... it... shut up, Stan Lee!

*hides in closet of shame*

[suburbfabulous.livejournal.com]

Bah! Stan is above such things.

Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[slaversbane.livejournal.com]

I think that in order to reach the point of "i don't care you rotten bitch, I am just paying you lip service fuck off" as and actor you have to go in hte other direction first to see with your own eyes and heart that going through the roof with sincerity is wrong.

Normally, I disagree with your teacher's approaches but this time I am right with it. I just hate that character with the passion of a 1000 white hot suns.

By the way, Iron Fist gothere safe and sound, IOU 10$, what is the best way to get it to you??

Re: Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

That's what I was doing originally, or so I thought. Which is why the teacher stopped me and ... well... this.

You hate Amanda? Because man, if I were just watching this play, I think I bloody well would too. But then, I often hate Williams' women.

Huzzah! Umm, you could mail it, I suppose, since I sadly won't be at Turkeymas.

Re: Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[slaversbane.livejournal.com]

I must admit, I hate almost every single ounce of Tenessee Williams plays. With the exception of Night of the Iguana. I hate all of his characters and feel that he in no way deserves the accolades he has received. I will mail the moolah, cash or check?

Re: Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank god! I felt like the only person to really not care for Williams, the man who's generally considered the greatest American playwright ever. I will, however, read Night of the Iguana now.

Cash would work best, sure! Easier that way.

Re: Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[slaversbane.livejournal.com]

I once designed a set for it in Jason Rubin's set design class. Tons of fun. Same basic premise.

Re: Durang, Boinks, Slam Smash....FUCK YOU MOMMY!

[slaversbane.livejournal.com]

sorry, computer said, "yer done with that comment buddy!"

Yeah, It has the same basic premise as all of his other plays it just sucks less.

Ok then you shall receive 10 dollars in the mail from me as soon as possible! With any luck before the end of the week!

[chickenhat.livejournal.com]

Tom... has, um... I think we'll call them "issues".

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

You mean the character or me?

Oh, why am I even asking? *hangs head in shame*

[chickenhat.livejournal.com]

Tom definitely has issues... you, on the other hand, feh, you're just a lovable freak.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Whew! Huzzah! :)

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

2 things..

first.. it sounds like, as a teacher, she is really trying to stretch you. good.

and B) this was hilarious. i just cracked up in my office.