Learning lines?
Mon, 18 May 2009, 01:12 pmLee Sheppard26 posts in thread
Learning lines?
Mon, 18 May 2009, 01:12 pmSo - I find myself in the current situation of having to learn a large number of lines for an upcoming production, something I haven't had to do for a few years now.
I suppose I'm doing it the usual way (for me, at least) - reading and re-reading, starting at the beginning and learning a few pages at a time, going back and constantly testing myself, sitting at home or on the train with the script and a bookmark to cover up my lines etc. Seems to be working so far.
Just wondering how you other thespians go about learning your lines? Do you learn key scenes first? Use voice recorders? Have them tattooed on your body? Maybe there's a technique out there we can all benefit from...
Cheers
Lee Sheppard
- Keeping it strictly amateur -
I tend to use the method
Mon, 18 May 2009, 06:00 pmI tend to use the method you've outlined, Lee. Glad to see you've finally taken the plunge.
If it's any consolation, I find learning lines is like exercising any part of the body. The more you do it, the easier it gets. (For me, anyway.) Don't do a show for a year or so, and your brain needs retraining. The last show I did, I had the script down in a week (through necessity) and it was one of those where I had a couple of lines every page.
I find it helpful to make notes about the flow of the scene as a whole. That way you get to know how the scene progresses, which gives you cues as to your next line.
www.meltheco.org.au