About: Practice Frameworks
Acting, like any art, is a practice.
It’s easy to understand how learning a skill such as playing the guitar, painting, gymnastics, or speaking a new language takes time, practice, and constructive failure.
While the skills of acting are less obvious (if you’re doing it well, it seems “natural” or even “magical”!) they are no less real. Good acting isn’t about magic or lucky inspiration. There is technique to inspired acting, and developing skill as an actor takes time, effort, and attention just like any other art.
“Voice and Speech” are simply the audible facets of acting. “Movement” is the visible facet. And the things you study in “Acting” class often have to do with the imaginative and psychological processes that support and integrate your audible and visible performance. Each of these areas comprises specific skills that one can practice to become a better actor.
To encourage professional practice habits, actors can apply practice frameworks and techniques from other disciplines:
Athletics
Skills-building takes time and repetition, and sometimes it’s just about showing up and putting in the time. Most people don’t get all the way to the gym and then decide not to work out– putting on your shoes and getting out the door can be the hardest part of any exercise regimen.
If you always wait until you feel inspired to work out, you’re likely to stay on the couch more often than not. Instead, if you build the habit of showing up for the work regardless, once you’re in the midst of your practice it can inspire you.
Musicianship
Anyone who has learned to play a musical instrument well knows that some growth is about more than just putting in the time. “Practice makes permanent” is the saying, and if you’re practicing the same wrong note over and over, it gets harder and harder to play the right one.
Being smart about how you’re practicing is key, and musicians use a few common strategies to work on challenges:
- Slow down
- Simplify the task: Practice in “layers” of complexity or “chunks” of material (take away one or more performance elements and work on one aspect in isolation)
- Practice the transitions
- Know when to take a break, then come back fresh
Mindfulness
Many mindfulness practices focus on letting go of the things that aren’t serving us–negative thoughts, tendencies toward perfectionism, the need for control–all while continuing to show up to the work.
Are there ways that your artistic practice could benefit from less control, less perfectionism, or less negativity? How might you cultivate qualities of listening, non-judgment, and perspective within your practice?
Play
Children learn so many skills, from spinning in circles to sand-castle-building, without formal instruction or grueling hours in a practice room. They learn in a way that seems effortless and fun, but is deeply rooted in experimentation and problem-solving, and it’s all fueled by their innate curiosity and creativity. How can you be playful, curious, exploratory, maybe even a little silly in your practice time? How might you surprise yourself?
Growth Mindset
For more about why focusing on your “talent” might be holding you back, here’s a handout and infographic about Growth Mindset.
Assessing Your Practice
Regular reflection may help you think critically about your own process and growth as an artist. Effective practice often follows a simple three-question framework:
One often overlooked part of artist training is the fact that, in the real world, you are rarely given a clear-cut problem or task. Instead, you have to find the artistic problem in order to solve it. The first step of the creative process is to identify the question.
Journaling, or some other reflective process, can help you monitor your own question-finding and solution-seeking process, as well as track your own growth.
One basic format is a weekly worksheet. Here are some ideas for using the worksheet:
- Make detailed notes about things you want to revisit
- Jot down questions as they arise
- Keep a record of your personal practice
- Focus on challenges first, in order to find new opportunities for growth
Remember, challenge is part of the process of learning–follow your curiosity and look for interesting problems to tackle!
If you don’t have questions, struggles, or curiosities, it’s possible you aren’t actively engaged in your work. Seize the opportunity to grow by owning your challenges–get curious about what you might want to learn!
There are many alternative formats: traditional journals are one method, but so are weekly video blogs, online discussions, regular sessions with a coach, etc. Find a method that’s a good fit for you.
Peer Support: Digesting the Work
If you have the opportunity to practice with someone else, here is one possible structure for your collaboration.
Exploration Prompts
Here is a collection of questions to inspire your vocal exploration.