acting risks pt 1

So me and my acting buddy, Chuck, are doing a scene for a class. We weren't able to decide which scene until late the night before. We watched an episode of Californication and decided that was the one to do. Sure, the absinthe may have had a part to play here but that isn't important.

We did the scene to muted horror from our classmates. There may have been an uncomfortable chuckle from someone in the class of 10 or so actors-in-training.

I figured some of my admittedly poorer performance was due to nervousness. Normally Mona (our instructor) gives direction and the scene, or parts of it, are performed a few times. Not this time though.

Mona did not care for the scene. At all. No redeeming qualities. Is that the kind of character you see yourself playing? Would you do this kind of thing? Bad scene and bad acting. Neither one of you are believable. The agents are female and this does not play to them. Some of the students jumped on the bandwagon and clamored on about the misogyny and sleaze of the show and characters. One of the better actresses in the class though, a beautiful yoga instructor, said she likes toilet humor and thought it funny.

Chuck and I took it in stride. We made a couple of jokes about it, but were unapologetic. I felt sort of proud that we found and did a scene that pushed the limits of our abilities and the guarded sensibilities of a few people in the class. And I do love Mona and her honesty. She has good business sense where acting is concerned and that is appreciated.

After we were done being dressed down, I asked if she was sure she didn't want us to do it again.

She was quite sure.