What are you doing the second earlier than your audition scene begins? Are you adjusting your ring mild? Are you overly involved with primping your self? Are you in a battle together with your pop-up background? Maybe you’re saying your strains to your self on a loop.

It’s robust to not get misplaced in a technical riptide on this age of self tape auditions. Nonetheless, we mustn’t overlook what’s most essential: the performing. 

An efficient treatment that may be a buoy within the rocky self tape sea is the “The Second Earlier than” method. It’s the perfect sort of easy, creating a serious wake. This tangible instrument permits actors to totally immerse themselves of their character and the stakes of the scene earlier than it even begins. Let’s break it down!

What’s “The Second Earlier than” method?

“The Second Earlier than” method (TMB) is strictly what it feels like, what occurred earlier than the scene’s begin or the director calling motion. It may be 30 seconds earlier than, it may be 60 seconds earlier than, or if you happen to’re auditioning for a musical it may well even be what’s taking place through the introductory plunk of the piano (Dun, dun, dun).

“The Second Earlier than” is about understanding after which embodying what your character was experiencing proper earlier than the scene you’re about to carry out. This system anchors actors within the actuality of their character’s journey, making certain that they enter a scene within the correct mindset. It helps actors to offer a extra genuine efficiency, bringing the wanted vitality to the highest of every scene. 

Do you ever really feel prefer it takes you a couple of strains to get into an audition reduce? Utilizing “The Second Earlier than” can instantly pull you, and, thus, your viewers in. Casting doesn’t have time to look at you heat up, you need to seize consideration from the beginning. Cue: The Second Earlier than.

How Do I Apply “The Second Earlier than” to Auditions?

One of the best half about this system? It’s as straightforward as making use of sunblock – I’m speaking concerning the spray-on type! 

Assuming you’ve completed your regular scene evaluation and character work, all you need to do is sleuth out the second. With some audition cuts, the second might be discovered by studying your complete script. On many different events, you’ve got the inventive freedom to invent a second for your self.

Consider TMB as a mini model of the “Beforehand On” montage forward of your favourite TV present. Use your creativeness to improvise a vivid and detailed situation to your character. The extra particular you’re, the richer your efficiency shall be and the simpler it is going to be to slide into the scene. Typically it really works so effectively that you just don’t even bear in mind the place the scene begins or ends. 

A Temporary Instance of “The Second Earlier than” Method

Let’s say the primary line you’re given is “Hey,” a easy phrase that’s washed by way of our mouths numerous occasions. After all, the supply varies relying on the place we’re, who we’re speaking to, and – you guessed it – what’s occurred prior. 

In case your character walks into class hungover from an evening of partying, they’re going to say “Hey” very in another way than in the event that they’re waltzing into the room bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from a peaceable night time’s sleep. Have been they chugging espresso making an attempt to get up earlier than they walked in? Have been they doing cartwheels within the hallway as a result of that they had a lot vitality? What occurred earlier than that “Hey?”

Whereas we’re on train, think about in case your character completed a jog moments earlier than greeting a good friend. Would they be barely out of breath? On a totally totally different word, perhaps they’re at a funeral for a cherished one and run into an previous flame. Does this surprising encounter occur moments after they are saying their last goodbye to an open casket? 

The choices of what particular vitality one can convey to the highest of a scene are really limitless.

Watch “The Second Earlier than” Method in Follow

One well-known instance of “The Second Earlier than” is Jack Nicholson and the late Shelly Duval’s character work within the iconic secluded horror flick The Shining. Archival footage gives us fortunate pupils with Nicholson’s intense warmup in distinction with Duval’s extra sensible strategy. It’s a cool research, showcasing how variations of TMB work for particular skills. Whereas Nicholson is within the throes of madness earlier than director Stanley Kubrick ever calls “Motion,” Duvall maintains a quieter focus and goes over her blocking.

By residing in “The Second Earlier than,” actors can ship extra genuine, centered and emotionally resonant character portrayals. Embracing this system not solely enhances particular person scenes however contributes to the general continuity and actuality of the story. Go on – attempt it for your self, buddies!

This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.

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Written by Robert Peterpaul