The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio
Rehearsal
To Rehearse, Or Not To Rehearse
There is a common misconception that rehearsing kills an actor’s spontaneity. Some film and television actors, especially those without theater training, tend to resist rehearsing for this very reason. Sadly, this is an unfortunate misunderstanding. When rehearsing properly and effectively, the actor is empowering themselves while also opening the door to freedom, truth and inspiration. For the actor, spontaneity without preparation and rehearsal can be fleeting.
Moscow Art Theater
The Moscow Art Theater, founded by Konstantin Stanislavski, was the first to explore the naturalistic acting style. Believe it or not, the remarkable realism achieved by its actors was due to a rigorous rehearsal process. Rehearsal isn't just practicing the lines and blocking; it's also about developing the character, connecting deeply with the given circumstances, personalizing the environment and objects of the character, and building relationships with other characters.
Uta Hagen & Brando
Uta Hagen was the understudy for Blanche in the original production of “A Streetcar Named Desire”. She recounts the story of the first time she had to step in and perform with Brando. It was 30 minutes before curtain. They had never rehearsed together, and she asked him if he would be willing to run 5 minutes of the play, and he agreed. Because they had both known their characters and the circumstances so well, they immediately connected and were beyond confident that they could pull it off. If you ever see the film version of “Streetcar”, as you experience Brando’s spontaneous and dynamic performance, keep in mind that he had already performed the play thousands of times on the stage.
Rehearsing For Film & TV
In rare cases, the director may set up a rehearsal period before shooting. Some of these directors come from the theater, or are artistically motivated to create a deeper bond to enhance and enrich the process of shooting. Sidney Lumet came from the theater, and he details his 3 to 4 week rehearsal process before shooting in his book, “Making Movies.” Mike Leigh is famous for his unique process of working with the actors for many months on their characters, then writing the screenplay based on rehearsals and improvisations. These types of situations are a dream for actors. Otherwise, it’s up to the actor to secure a rehearsal process for themselves. While this can be quite solitary, the fruits of your labor will pay off once you arrive on the set. Good preparation and rehearsal allows for more freedom to be spontaneous and collaborate.
