Acting Auditions 101

Lesson 1: VOCAL PREPARATION: MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

The Daily Voice Workout Applied: Part Two.

Ready to move on and apply more to what you are now doing on a daily basis? Good. Read Chapter 9 about connecting your voice to your emotional life. There are several terrific surprises waiting for you in this chapter, so please read slowly and carefully.

Now that you have read Chapter 9, stop for just a moment. Make an investment in your future: outline in your notebook the three new exercises.

Also, begin to record your experiences and “ah-ha” moments, not just with this chapter, but in the coming days and weeks as you grow in these skills. The skills will come naturally as you consistently apply yourself to this program.

Now, if you've not already tried them, actually do the three new exercises delineated in Chapter 9 and record your response in your notebook.

***

You now know more about Chuck Jones than you might ever have known before. But he still has a few goodies left for you at the end of the book. Now is the time to discover those. Read Chapters 10 and 11 and then report back with your notebook.

Back? Good. Thoughtfully try the exercises on page 135. Then record the following in your notebook:

Chuck Jones' 3 basic rules on breathing are: (and fill in the blanks).

Now record in your notebook the four kinds of tension Chuck explained.

Now respond to the following question by writing your observations: How will the relaxation techniques from the beginning of Lesson One, coupled with Chuck Jones' vocal workout exercises, help me?

You deserve to be methodical and meticulous in your approach, for therein lies success.

***

Some of the concepts Chuck teaches are so simple, yet so profound. To understand profound things, we usually must ponder them before they become part of us.

Please take a moment to explore in your notebook in written fashion why breathing is such an integral piece to expression as an actor. Chuck feels this deeply. Why?

What does liberating the breath have to do with playing a part authentically? Record your responses in your notebook.

In summary, what will increasing lung capacity, as he mentions, do for you in your future auditions?

How will it reduce nervousness for you?

Why is it important to practice these techniques every day? Write down your insights.

***

In Chapter 11, Chuck brings up an oddity -- that of getting used to your new sound.

Why would this be a difficulty? What does this have to do with releasing tensions? Write down your response.

Finally, on a new sheet of paper, write down his final five tips found on page 141.

Congratulations! You have worked through an important and essential step to great auditions – that of clear voice quality which will respond naturally to your inner self. And isn't that an integral key to successful and authentic auditions?

As the book’s sub-title states so clearly, by following Chuck’s simple yet dramatic steps you are giving yourself dramatic range through vocal training. What actor would refuse that as one of his audition tools!

To reap the rewards Chuck holds out, you must read and re-read these chapters. Once you are familiar with them, make sure you practice his vocal exercises and techniques at least five days a week. Remember, practical knowledge and discipline create a powerful actor!

His final thought is potent:

"And finally, you really have to want your discoveries to work for you. This last is the key to success - really fighting to integrate the vocal changes you make into your work. You have a right to your own voice." (page 141)

You do have a right to your own voice and to enjoy using it in your next audition. So now it's on to the next lesson, where we address the audition itself!

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