This Week at AYA

Be comfortable with the uncomfortable! This is a concept that we often emphasize and practice in class. Making truthful choices can frequently stem from the relationships we have with other characters. However, in auditions or on set, you may not have time to rehearse with or even meet the person who will be playing someone important to you before having to act the scene—a father, a sister, a significant other— yet you must make this connection believable. Acting physical and emotional closeness may seem daunting, but is very common, so we practice to be prepared to tackle it when it arises. It may be helpful to remember that acting closeness is just that— acting closeness. That is, the actions are not happening between you and the other human being, they are happening between the two characters who have a close, already-established relationship. It may help you to conceptualize it in this way, as it does for some students in class.
Here are a couple of tips that we’ve learned: Stillness is the linchpin of closeness. Don’t pat or rub (i.e. patting someone on the back or rubbing someone’s shoulder)— it shows that your character would be uncomfortable with the stillness. And during a hug, the distance between the bodies reveals more than the gesture itself— don’t stick out your behind!

What we learned? Acting closeness (or anything that makes you uncomfortable) will happen, so be prepared to tackle it with an open mind!

-Lili Fox-Lim

Photo:  Student Isabella Lawal