I had a lot of fun things planned for this workshop so we did the workshop participate introductions a bit different this time. We all stood in a circle facing each other and we went around the circle and everyone said their name and three things about themselves. It was perfect.
STRETCH AND VOCAL WARMUPS
We all took a few minutes to stretch out. Once limber, we did 3 deep breathes releasing with sound. Afterwards I had everyone lean back opening up their throats and had everyone release a very deep sound. It didn't sound pretty, but it opened up everyone's vocal cords. We actors can be trapped by our voices sometimes!
We did the count from 1-10, starting low and quiet and then getting louder and louder with each number to 10.
Then we did a little exercise I like to call: ANIMAL CROSSING!
We all lined up in a row and I had everyone cross the stage as different animals. First was a bird,
then a gorilla, then a cat. This was very interesting. Sometimes characters can be defined by what animal they are. Kathleen Turner is like a cat in "BODY HEAT". Marlon Brando was an ape in "STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE" and Jeff Bridges was a bird in "STARMAN". It's a helpful tool for an actor to use!
AFFIRMATIONS
We repeated the following:
"I am going to take it from where I am".
"I am going to approach this scene as an improv."
"I release my need to be funny. I am here to tickle myself."
"I will not make choices, however, I will allow choices to happen."
IMPROVISATIONS
I divided the group into two.
First group was a group of soldiers that had just gotten back from Afghanistan.
I had Sargent Carl Rolle yell at the troops and get them to stand at attention and some of them talked back to him. Oh no! Don't make Sargent Rolle mad! He whipped them into shape.
SOLDIER GROUP THERAPY:
It was time for group therapy. The 'soldiers' sat in fold out chairs in a semi circle and each other of them shared how their lives are now that they've returned home from War in Afghanistan. Quite a moving improv. The first actor Jerome Murdock had a few tears flowing from his eyes. Beautiful commitment. Every actor brought their own voice to the improv acting like a soldier. It was really amazing. The actors in this improv were Jerome Murdock, Toni Christopher, David Kallaway, Kereema, Jeff McGrail, and Andy Wasif.SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY:
The next group included me, Kelly Mullis, Carl Rolle, Kachiri Irizarry, Rebecca Hirschfeld, and Jim McCaffree and Toni Christopher was our counselor. Again, moving stories of struggle with drugs and alcohol. Carl Rolle was the trouble maker of the group only there to have a paper signed but not wanting any help. Kachari was our resident tough girl. Rebecca Hirshfeld, a fragile delicate broken woman and I was just angry and frustrated by being abandoned by family and feeling like a just can't stop drinking.
The actors all committed beautifully to this improv. It was heavy for sure, but I think it was valuable.
REHEARSAL TIME
Everyone got their scripts for the STAGED READING that was to take place called "FIGHT NIGHT". The parts were cast. We had a last minute drop out by an actor (food poisoning) who was cast to play the boxer, so I got Jerome Murdock to fill in. While they were going over their scenes for the short film, as well and going over their TV sides for after the reading....
I set up the various sets on stage for the reading. This wasn't going to be a sit down reading. I had a restaurant set, an office set, a boxing ring set, and a dressing room set.
FIGHT NIGHT
Upon Action, The actors jumped into their characters with as much commitment as if they were on a film set. I was immediately thrilled with the decision to do this STAGED READING on its feet this way. No narrative took place, the actors flowed seamlessly from one set to the next, in one scene to the next! It was so exciting to watch! Everyone was amazing! I was attempting to video tape every moment, but could only capture a few minutes because my memory card was full! But I got some which is shown below! (stay tuned) You get the idea. I am seriously considering shooting this short. I think we could do it for relatively low budget. The story and the actors make the story great!!Super successful and super entertaining! I was very impressed with everyone's performance.
The cast included:
Jim McCaffree as Tony, the mafia guy
Andy Wasif as Ted, the sleazy deal making guy
Jerome Murdock as Billy the Boxer
Carl Rolle as Mose, the boxing trainer
Toni Christopher as Darla, the boxer's girlfriend
Rebecca Hirshfeld as Andy's Bimbo girlfriend
Kachiri Izizarry as the Psychic 'fixer'
David Kallaway as Goon #1 and 'the Russian Boxer"
Jeff McGrail as Goon #2 and the Medic
Great job everyone!!
COLD READING SCENES
"Blue Bloods" starring Andy Wasif and David Kallaway.
David Kallaway donned a near perfect Boston accent on this cold read of "Blue Bloods" playing the Donnie Wahlberg character of Danny. Andy was super relaxed and natural as Sorenson. This could have been a scene from TV. It was pretty darned good.
Jim McCaffree can do characters better than most in this workshop. He never ceases to amazing me with his talents. He plays a stoic and emotionless 'stepfather' with a chip on his shoulder. His stepdaughter played by Kachiri was vulnerable and frustrated in trying to connect with her stepfather who has closed the door on their ever having a relationship. It was a hard breaking scene. Great work you two!!
Jeff McGrail plays a lawyer is who telling a Neurosurgeon, Carl Rolle, what the score is when one of the patients is a gang member. Good thing there were no guns in this scene or someone who'd have bit it! This was a short, however, super intense scene. I love the dynamic of these to actors together.
"Human Target" starring Jerome Murdock and Toni Christopher.I didn't set this scene up for these two at all. I left out a whole earlier scene from those sides. So they were coming in super cold....but no worries for these two pros. They jumped right into the scene. There was a sexy vibe and a bit of sarcasm from Toni Christopher's character. I wanted to see more. Jerome Murdock should have his own TV show. He's so natural and cool. He's MR. TV! If only I were a casting director, I'd hired both of them for my show! Fabulous!
"Rookie Moves" starring Jeff McGrail and Kareema.
Kareema plays a rookie cop who has had enough of the antics of her superior, Jeff McGrail, who seems to be punishing her instead of training her. At first Kareema had glimpses of life in her character who Jeff's character abused her with words and mixed messages. In the scene Kareema is supposed to get rattled. But she didn't get rattled the first time. So I asked them to do the scene again and for Kareema to get mad at Jeff for giving her such a hard time. She has to defend herself from him and then just say 'forget you'. She adjusted great and the second time she did it, I believed her conviction and that he was getting under her skin. The scene rocked! Great job Kareema and Jeff!
Jerome plays a very tough man, rough around the edges named Preacher. Rebecca plays his ex-stripper girlfriend. She's very flirty with him in the beginning. He clearly has trust issues. She accuses him of not being able to forgive and Rebecca's character gets very emotional at the end of the scene when she cries that she's grateful that God brought her Preacher, to love and protect her. It was a very sweet scene. Again Jerome Murdock played it brilliantly.
Sunday, Dec. 9th
Sunday, Dec. 16
Call Kelly at 323.428.3739. Try to call by Thursday Night so I can find you scenes! Thanks!
See you on the STAGE!!
Best,
Kelly Mullis, Artistic Director of HPAG
We'll be taking a HOLIDAY BREAK for the LAST TWO SUNDAYS OF DECEMBER!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your families!
And will be returning on January 6, 2013!
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