A Clear Mind + 11 Tips for Memorization

It's been quite a summer. So many changes haven taken place in the sphere of Hellbent for Hollywood. There's also much I'm excited to share but you'll have to wait. Our editors are working feverishly to finish sorting the incredible footage shot over the past few months.

Just as active cultures contribute to smooth intestinal fortitude during that do or die moment in front of the lens, there's no room for the nervous inept meanderings actors deliver when they're lost in the heat of battle. Only excellence entrenched in an unshakable spirit and a clear mind will carry you through the blood bath that transpires during the toughest auditions.

One area that most actors, seem to have a weakness in, especially prevalent in a high pressure situation is remembering lines exactly as written. I've put together a list of 11 techniques often used to assist with memorization of lines. Try them all and find the methods that work best for you. There is no silver bullet and whatever method works best for you you'll still need to put in plenty of hard work.

Best of luck
On Fire

Memorization;
1) Cue Cards (one for each scene which also can be used to keep track of blocking)
2) Tape recording (make a tape of only the other character's lines then use it to rehearse. This is great if you do a lot of driving).
3) Rehearse with a friend of relative
4) Read the line above yours, covering your next line with a sheet of paper. Say the line, lower the paper to check for accuracy. Repeat as you work your way through the scene.
5) Cover the script with another sheet of paper except the line you are saying. Glance down at that line and pick up as much as the eye allows you. Look up and say the line aloud slowly. Repeat this pattern through the entire page.
6) Use a computer to retype the scenes you are in, putting them in larger print
and using colored ink for the major words or perhaps for the major stumbling block words or phrases.
7) Write out your lines on a sheet of paper writing down only the first letter of each word. You can then either write out the other persons lines in their entirety between your lines or you can just write a snippet of them to job your memory.
8) Visualize scenes and and give physicality to to words you're having trouble memorizing by associating a visual with each of those words or phrases.
9) Memorize your lines with emotion behind them. The emotion will reinforce learning the lines.
10) Get to know your character and attempt to understand why your character speaks as he or she does and why they would say the dialogue that is written.
11) Try memorizing backward, from end to start. This separates the emotion from the words.

In the HOT seat on the HELLBENT FOR HOLLYWOOD set!

The HELLBENT FOR HOLLYWOOD set is truly heating up these past few days with temps soaring over 100 degrees outside and the latest acting challenges inside creating many a near meltdown for those actors teetering on the precipice, actors before the lens.

The old adage, "You are what you eat", really does have street cred in the acting world. Apart from all those Mickey D's cheeseburgers you're grabbing on the run, an actor's mental diet is an integral part of their training.

Let's say you're doin' Improv. Well you better be dowsin' your brain with cable news or print or even radio. An improviser's mental diet in this case would be to get the news from all sides of the issues. Otherwise how is the actor going to be able to stay on topic and/or play a character on either side of an issue whether they personally agree with the views of their character or not. This also applies to film, television and traditional stage as well. Actors need to be 'thinkers'.

The educational system in this country today is creating a nation of consumers. A successful actor however, should learn to think for themselves because a successful actor must have a sharp mind that is able to exist in the moment yet turn on a dime at the request of the Director. The successful actor must be prepared to digest script changes thrown into the mix at the last moment as the writers make changes in characters or how they interact or even changes in story arc while the actor is on set.

As an actor, if you let your ego manage your career it will manage your career right into the ground. If you let your training and skill handle your business you couldn't have chosen wiser partners. What have you learned so far and more importantly how are you going to use what you've learned to further your career?
ON FIRE

IN THE TRENCHES

The other morning as I sat on the porch of the Malibu Kitchen enjoying a light breakfast, I noticed a couple cars parked directly in front of my table…a fire engine red custom Ferrari and a black Bentley with a showroom fresh chrome grill. It dawned on me that these two cars were opposites yet each representing the A-list of hand precision rides, one the ultimate in speed and agility, the other the ultimate in smooth classic comfort. As I sat there with the ocean breeze at my back and salty air on my face I couldn’t stop thinking about HELLBENT FOR HOLLYWOOD and these two precision driving machines each unique in their approach to the road, each a reflection of their owner yet each at the top of their game.

I couldn’t stop wondering which actor on the HELLBENT FOR HOLLLYWOOD cast page might be getting out of one of these road trophies in the coming years. Would it be one, two or maybe even a few more or does anyone on this cast even have what takes or close to what it takes?

Next week, we’ll have our first glimpse into the crystal ball and as production gets underway we may have an idea of whom or what is going to emerge from the fog. If you were a betting man or woman and at the track, which horse would you put your money on and why? I hope you’ve got a stronger argument than because the actor is a friend they’re going to bring it. Who has the set etiquette, ability to take direction, focus and discipline to stand up to the Hollywood spotlight and be counted and who’s just another pretty face? Post a comment. I’d like to hear your thoughts.
ON FIRE