Assignment 1: Acting 101: Memorize a Short Scene

Hi everyone! It was good meeting all of you in the first class meeting.

  • This week’s assignment is to finish memorizing the short script we started learning in class. (It’s halfway down this page)
  • I’d recommend first breaking it into small sections, then using the “one letter/one word” method we talked about in class. (Learn one section thoroughly, then add he next section.0 (See “Memorization Reminders” below.)
  • NOTE: This script is written in a way that’s open to many different interpretations; the characters could be almost anyone (husband and wife; parent and child; roommates or housemates; lovers). So try not to get locked into just one way of performing it. We’ll talk about how the interpretation might change if the characters’ relationships are different, when we perform it.

Memorization Reminders:

  1. First read the script silently.
  2. Then read it aloud, doing all of the characters’ voices. (It doesn’t matter if you get the characters “right or wrong”; you’re just trying to find their energy).
  3. This’ll give you a rough preliminary sense of what’s the scene’s about.
  4. After that, break it down into smaller parts. Each part should only be a few lines long. Then choose a section to memorize. (See “how to break the script down” below.)
  5. Read the section you’re working on out loud again, then write down the first letter of every word (using punctuation).
  6. For example, the dialogue “My cat ate the canary!” would be M c a t c !
  7. “Just put it on the counter” would be J p i o t c.
  8. After writing the letters down, say the words again, looking at the letters as you do so.
  9. Then say the words without looking.
  10. Repeat as needed till you have that section memorized.
  11. Practice each part till you’ve learned it, then add the next section. Remember that it’s fine to “cheat” and look at the letters; that’s what they’re there for. When you can say the words at super-speed, you’re ready to move on to the next section.
  12. After you’ve learned the script, practice saying it while moving around the room doing anything physical –– for example, stacking and unstacking chairs, sweeping or vacuuming, watering houseplants. (If you skip this part, the words can still evaporate.)
  13. After you’ve learned the words, try saying them with different voices and emotions. The voices and emotions don’t have to be “right”. (For example, you might say the words angrily; lovingly; sympathetically; disdainfully.) This will keep you from getting locked in to saying them only one way.
  14. I’ve put a video at the bottom of the page showing how experienced actor use the “one letter/one word” method of memorization.

Here’s this week’s script. If you’re asked for a password to view it, type in REKINDLE (in all caps).

See also the tips for memorization below.

BLAIR-JAMEY-SCENE1Download

For anyone who may have missed the first class, this video explains how the “one letter-one word” method of memorizing works:

Then add in action

  1. If you only do the steps above, the words may still evaporate when you get up to perform them. The next step is to add in physical actions while performing them.
  2. The actions do not have to be what your character is doing in the scene. They could be anything physical, such as walking around the room; exercising; taking a shower; doing some gardening. Doing chores while practicing the words works well. For example, you might wash the dishes, fold laundry, or do something random like stacking and unstacking chairs, all while saying the words aloud.

After memorizing – practice

  1. After you’e memorized the scene, practice the words at least once a day.
  2. If you find yourself forgetting them, go back to step 1.
  3. Running lines with a friend can also help lock them in. Ask a friend or classmate to read your cues, and to let you know when the words are wrong. Or you could try recording the lines and playing back the recording, pausing it before your lines.
  4. Have fun 🙂

How to break the script down

Here’s one way it might be broken down into parts. The idea is that we would memorize each part, practice it till we know it well, then add the next part.

PART ONE

JAMIE
Good morning.

BLAIR
Good morning.

JAMIE
How do you feel?

BLAIR
Great.

JAMIE
I’m sure.

PART TWO

BLAIR
What do you want for breakfast?

JAMIE
Whatever.

BLAIR
I’ll fix you some scrambled eggs.

JAMIE
Fine.

PART THREE

BLAIR
You going to work this morning?

JAMIE
Have to.

BLAIR
Oh.

JAMIE
Do you want me to stay home?

BLAIR
It’s up to you.

JAMIE
Can’t.

BLAIR
Like I said — it’s up to you.

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