Acting 101 Handout

How to Memorize

Want to learn the words accurately? Try this:

My favorite method: “One letter, one word”

Read 2–3 sentences aloud, then write down the first letter of every word while saying them. (For example, the lines “He’s waking up, Judy. Run!” would become H w u, J. R!)
Then look at your paper, and while looking at each letter, say the word it’s associated with.
Then say the lines again without looking at the paper.
Repeat until the words come easily.
When you have memorized one section, move on to the next.
After memorizing, repeat and drill, saying them over and over.

Method 1: Record the entire scene and listen to it over and over again.
Method 2: Pause the playback after your cues; say your lines; then resume playing.
Use an app. There are free apps online, which some actors use to practice their lines.

Add in physical actions that you can do while saying them.
Choose boring repetitive actions such as moving objects around or doing your chores.
Try saying the words with different emotions — the stranger the better. (This will also keep you from getting locked into just one emotional state.)
Practice saying them in different environments — such as your living room… the park… your car… the bathroom.
Run your lines a few times at night just before going to bed.

Make up a weird little tune to go along with the dialogue and sing it repeatedly.
You may feel like an idiot if someone overhears you singing your lines, but it works.

“Cross linking” is looking for words in one line to help remind you of the words in the next line.
For example, if one character asks, “What do you want for breakfast?” and the other character answers, “Whatever.” — the words what and whatever are related. So repeat What—whatever, what—whatever, what—whatever a few times to lock in the association.

Some actors believe it’s helpful to take supplements shortly before setting out to learn their lines.
I often take a little B12 along with a supplement called PS (phosphatidyl serine) myself.