Whenever you sing a song, make sure you convey the message of it as well! A mistake many singers make (especially applicable in musical theatre) is that they do not act while they sing. They just sing.
No matter what kind of song you're singing, it should always have a message. Sure, you do not have to go as far as pantomiming the actions, but hand and body gestures aiding to tell the story of your song is always a bonus. It shows that you are really in control of the song and your mastery and readiness to perform.
Whenever an artist finds a song to perform, after learning the music (lyrics, notes, timing, etc.), they learn how to stage the song. This means their physical position, tech-related details, and of course, what they do while they sing (the actions, aka acting, of it).
Monday, March 24, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Open Your Mouth!
This week will have a short post, but I would like to dive into singing since I have covered acting and dance in the previous week's blogs.
This seems like a very small thing, but it is seen in many singers. We all have heard of inertia before, right? We as humans constantly try to find ways to relax into things (pretty much being lazy). This is no different singing.
Before you read on, sing any song. It would be a few bars or the entire length and record it. After doing so, you may continue.
Singing Tip 1
This nice lady is right. Watch both professional singers and inexperienced ones alike and you'd be surprised how many of them have almost closed mouths when singing. We're singers, not ventriloquists!
Now, record another song and sing the song you did, but this time do it with wide-mouthed vowels and consonants. You can even exaggerate it if you need to. Now listen to both recordings and compare. There might not be too much of a difference (especially if your mouth is already naturally opened in the first video), but it really makes a difference in one's overall technique and especially when performing publicly.
So any time you plan to perform on stage, keep it in the back of your mind to open your mouth! People want to hear what you have to say in your song. :) And they want to hear those clear whole resonant notes.
This seems like a very small thing, but it is seen in many singers. We all have heard of inertia before, right? We as humans constantly try to find ways to relax into things (pretty much being lazy). This is no different singing.
Before you read on, sing any song. It would be a few bars or the entire length and record it. After doing so, you may continue.
Singing Tip 1
This nice lady is right. Watch both professional singers and inexperienced ones alike and you'd be surprised how many of them have almost closed mouths when singing. We're singers, not ventriloquists!
Now, record another song and sing the song you did, but this time do it with wide-mouthed vowels and consonants. You can even exaggerate it if you need to. Now listen to both recordings and compare. There might not be too much of a difference (especially if your mouth is already naturally opened in the first video), but it really makes a difference in one's overall technique and especially when performing publicly.
So any time you plan to perform on stage, keep it in the back of your mind to open your mouth! People want to hear what you have to say in your song. :) And they want to hear those clear whole resonant notes.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The Five Ballet Positions
I've taken quite a few dance classes, some in Ballet & Jazz while others in Classical Ballet, so I would like to start with the basics.
There are five ballet positions, which is determined by your arms and feet. It would be hard to explain just exactly where the feet go, so here is a video.
I am excited for you to learn this, as I will soon go over other ballet, jazz, or contemporary style techniques that require knowledge and mastery of these basic fundamentals.
Other tips:
-Turn out your feet from the hip socket, not from your foot. The direction of your foot when turned out should be the same direction your knee socket is facing.
-Whenever your feet leaves the floor, make sure it is pointed! (This includes changing positions.)
Here is how to point your foot:
- Bend your ankles down, toward the floor (basically down).
- Stretch your towns down toward the floor. *don't crunch your toes, try and make a nice arc under your foot. If you generally have a C shape and your toes can curve all the way down, that means you have an excellent point!
-DON'T SICKLE. It would take a while to explain what it is, so here is a diagram. Basically, turn your feet outwards, not inwards (from the ankle).
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Michael Caine Teaches Acting In Film
It seems as every acting class at one point or another will instruct you to see this film, as I have been to in several acting classes/workshops I've been in. I suppose Michael Caine is really all that as a director and actor then.
Michael Caine Teaches Acting In Film
Here is the link and feel free to watch it along as you read this post. The YouTube video of his lecture is one hour long, but if you ever want to do film acting (or even stage acting), this video is worth the watch. I remember when I was first given the task to watch the video. I was reluctant after seeing the 58 minute bar on the video, but after watching it, I am glad I did instead of wasting my time playing games or something along those lines.
A few random points Caine makes that would like to emphasize include correctly using the eyes, making sure the camera follows you, and staying calm. His points are very minute... but make all the difference and can separate an amateur and professional in front of the camera. If you want to see the rest of the points he makes (which are many), please watch the video!
When Caine says the eye you use to look at your partner matters, it does! Cameras pick up the slightest of movement and having good facial control (kinesics, anyone?) is vital. But specifically for the eyes-- the eye you use does actually make a difference. Try record yourself via webcam and look at the camera's eye with your left eye and switch to your right eye. Re-watch the video and be astounded (I actually tried this myself when I first watched the video as I was skeptical).
Make sure the camera follows you as well! People often on camera make big, sharp movements. Sure this is acceptable on stage due to the audience have a full-stage view, but if the camera is zoomed in on you, make sure you let the camera-man know either before the shoot or notify them during the shoot by baking up or prepping your knees. A well-prepared cameraman should be able to pickup such a cue if you're part of the main focus of a scene.
Remember to stay calm on camera, as this is not live theatre. Whether you are mad, angry, happy, sad, anxious, or insane in a film scene, stay composed. You can allow the feelings to surge through your face (kinesics, again) and have certain small movements, but big movements are generally a no-no, especially for close-up shots. Big movements bring you off the camera frame and that is a huge no, even to amateurs. You may feel especially calm and almost bored, so instead of building up potential energy, use that stored energy and allow all those feelings to be released... just using your face! That is a hard skill to master. It certainly feels weird to do, but if you re-watch yourself in such a clip, you will see how powerful that sort of still yet emotional scene could be.
Michael Caine Teaches Acting In Film
Here is the link and feel free to watch it along as you read this post. The YouTube video of his lecture is one hour long, but if you ever want to do film acting (or even stage acting), this video is worth the watch. I remember when I was first given the task to watch the video. I was reluctant after seeing the 58 minute bar on the video, but after watching it, I am glad I did instead of wasting my time playing games or something along those lines.
A few random points Caine makes that would like to emphasize include correctly using the eyes, making sure the camera follows you, and staying calm. His points are very minute... but make all the difference and can separate an amateur and professional in front of the camera. If you want to see the rest of the points he makes (which are many), please watch the video!
When Caine says the eye you use to look at your partner matters, it does! Cameras pick up the slightest of movement and having good facial control (kinesics, anyone?) is vital. But specifically for the eyes-- the eye you use does actually make a difference. Try record yourself via webcam and look at the camera's eye with your left eye and switch to your right eye. Re-watch the video and be astounded (I actually tried this myself when I first watched the video as I was skeptical).
Make sure the camera follows you as well! People often on camera make big, sharp movements. Sure this is acceptable on stage due to the audience have a full-stage view, but if the camera is zoomed in on you, make sure you let the camera-man know either before the shoot or notify them during the shoot by baking up or prepping your knees. A well-prepared cameraman should be able to pickup such a cue if you're part of the main focus of a scene.
Remember to stay calm on camera, as this is not live theatre. Whether you are mad, angry, happy, sad, anxious, or insane in a film scene, stay composed. You can allow the feelings to surge through your face (kinesics, again) and have certain small movements, but big movements are generally a no-no, especially for close-up shots. Big movements bring you off the camera frame and that is a huge no, even to amateurs. You may feel especially calm and almost bored, so instead of building up potential energy, use that stored energy and allow all those feelings to be released... just using your face! That is a hard skill to master. It certainly feels weird to do, but if you re-watch yourself in such a clip, you will see how powerful that sort of still yet emotional scene could be.
Introduction
Hello everyone! This is Anthony Lee from COM 201 and I am happy to have this opportunity to share with you ways to up your performance game! Whether it be singing, acting, or dancing, I plan to cover all three areas. This blog will not only be relevant to performers, but these skills may very well help both your physicality and attitude in everyday living.
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