with John Markland
AUgust 7th - 9tH
Muscle memory; as actors we hear this a lot, and occasionally experience the magic of it. Emotional immersion is similar but with feelings and intuition. Sometimes when you experience this you “get lost in the scene” the separation between you and you character dissolves and after, it may feel as if you “blacked out”. Somatic. Character Embodiment is the joining of these two processes.
This method will open the door to a new way of ‘inviting’ character instead of creating character. You will feel the character leading, it will feel undeniable impulse, instinct and it may be a little weird. Your mind will wonder “where is this coming from”, while you’re on the ride of a lifetime. It will feel like parts of your body are waking up, feeling a little different than usual. Aspects of your emotions that you don’t always feel may become usually present. You’re point of view on things suddenly may seem odd.
More and more of the actors I coach are turning to this approach and many describe it as “going on a ride and getting off as a different person.”
The work shop is three days. There will be breathwork, deep somatic movement, and an array of embodiment exploration through tasks and challenges designed to invite the character to lead. We will move into vocalization and situational conflicts to reveal the characters perspectives, beliefs and blind spots.
The final day we will set them free in the scenes.