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Question: Play opens in two days and i just found out i suck, help!!!!?
I got cast out of 80 auditioners as a main role in a play a month ago!. We open this Friday and my mom just taped me acting tonight!. I watched the tape and was horrified!. My acting and facial expressions were great and i projected and varied my pitch but it's like i have no tone!. everyone else has a beautiful tone to their voice and i just project and ennunciate with only little bits of good tone of voice!. I thought i was doing fine but now i have no idea what to do please help!. Everyone i know is coming to the show and i don't want to embarrass myself!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I agree with "Hello!." What I'd like to add is since you've already watched yourself and freaked yourself out, go to your director and see if he/she has any notes for you!. Be direct and tell them they won't be hurting your feelings because you want to give the best performance you can!. Most directors would have given you notes already if there was a problem but if this is a youth or high school production you never know what quality of director you're getting, so go ahead!.
If not, just know that like others have said most people and actors inparticular hate their voice when listening to a recording!. Your voice always sound different to you than it does to others so don't think about that because what you hear is not what everyone else hears!. Obviously you hears everything else sounding about right, projection, pitch, etc!. You are obviously doing something right!. I cannot imagine any director would let you be up there doing something major wrong and not give you notes on it constantly so that you can work on it!.
Before you go on, do a bit of meditation!. Just some deep breathing and focusing so you can go on and have a great show!. They chose you over everyone else for a reason!. You can do it!
break a leg!
MarianneWww@QuestionHome@Com
It's usually best to not watch a recording of your acting!. I've done that after plays, and I hate watching it!. It's better for you to practice in a mirror!. People always hate their voice when they hear it recorded!. I'm sure you're doing fine since you were able to beat everyone out in the auditions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Just let the odd voice be part of her character; it wouldn't be the first time!. Carol Channing!. Debra Winger!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Try and do the lines again, but don’t read the lines!. Anyone can read, but feel the lines!. The sentences in the play are written with a purpose, that reflects a tone that is in line with the contextual story!.
The emotions laughter, horror, joy, sadness, and surprise all have different tones!. Categorize each line of your part with these emotions and it will bring good tone to the forefront!.
GL ,
JCPWww@QuestionHome@Com
First, you got the part, you don't suck!.
Second, it's jitters!.!.!.we all get them, even if we've done it over and over!.
Know your lines so you don't fret over them, actively listen to everyone around you and don't try to act!.!.!.just react as your character would!. Don't change things this late in the game!.!.!.
Trust your director!. Maybe he/she cast you for the very reason you don't like yourself!.!.!.or, perhaps you are too hard a judge of yourself (like most of us are!.)
You're going to be great, now, the show must go on so go out there and break a leg!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Everyone (especially actors) is over critical of their own voices
I went to drama school for four years in England and was always told my voice was my best quality and I hated the sound of myself on tape or on film
Relax: forget what you heard and concentrate on the job at hand!. You have a job to do!. Do it!.
The fact you were cast out of 80 auditionees means you were the right one for the part!.
Do yourself proud and earn the bow at the end and enjoy the applause
Remember: if you have no pre-performance nerves it means you have no talent!.
You'll be just swell, baby!. Break a leg!.
*wink*Www@QuestionHome@Com
HEY! Im an actor also and when I watch myself I think WTF!!!!! Its because true actors never think they are great!. They are never good enough for themselves!. I know there is nothing I can tell you to make you feel good about your acting but, honestly, there is a reason you were chosen first!. Keep doing what you are doing and the reward will come if you think you are great or not!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Boy oh boy, have I ever been through this!.
I do this about a week before every opening!. Honest!. Ask my wife!.
You do not suck!. You are your own worst critic!.
Forget about how you look and concentrate on how your character feels!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Have confidence in the director- you were cast for a reason!.
Concentrate on the character and your character's needs in the play!. Thinking about "tone" at this point is going to take you out of the moment!.
That is something to work on in acting class, if it is even the problem that you think it is!. Don't fret, videotape always flattens things out and never captures the excitement of a live performance, in my opinion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
you always are more critical of yourself then others are!.!.!. it happens to everyone!. You just need to know they put you in that part, because they think you are capable of doing it!.
just go on out there and do your best!!! No worries, no regrets!.Www@QuestionHome@Com