ON ACTING: When to Use Emotional Exercises

A DELAYED RESPONSE!!!!

From: PatL
To: cliff@cliffosmond.com
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:22 PM
Subject: [Cliff Osmond on Acting] New comment on ON ACTING: Developing an Emotional Toolbox.

"RE your post 'ON ACTING: Developing an Emotional Toolbox':

Can you say more about WHEN you think of these things [emotional techniques or 'tools]? Are you thinking of them prior to the scene, or during the scene? How do you use these memories in the process of acting?"

PatL: I was going through some old email and realized I never answered you or thanked you for reading my blogs. To specifically answer your question: You think of these 'things'--emotional tools or exercises--before the scene. They should not be used during the scene; they are emotional PRE-paration; activity BEFORE the scene. Once the tools open you up emotionally preparatory to the scene--in effect, they help you become emotionally sensitive--the events of the scene itself, the words and actions bombarding you from the milieu and other characters DURING THE SCENE make you specifically emotional. Tools put money in your pocket; you only spend it when the scene requires it.