This has been such an awesome season in my life. I've had the opportunity to study acting more and grow! Some of you may not know that I have been studying the Meisner technique these past 13 weeks with Mary Thoma at TASA. Well, I have! It's been amazing. There hasn't been a time before this when I've had more fun, learned more, and grown more as an actor. The cherry on top is that I've met some beautiful people. All in all-- a great season.
My last acting class is this Thursday. It's bittersweet. On one hand, it's marks an accomplishment as an actor. I've studied. I've tried. I've failed. I've succeeded. On the other, it's the last class. It feels like the last day of 5th grade. The time with your favorite teacher and all your new friends is coming to a close, and you can't help but feel bummed. Such is life.
On a slightly different note, I have something brand spankin' new to be excited about! I'll be joining the cast of "Haints" in Season 1, Episode 4. Part of me feels like the new kid on the block, and I'm a little nervous. But, it's definitely overshadowed by excitement! My role is pretty inconsequential, but I still get to hang out with the cool kids-- so I'm good. When I hear any word on a release date, I'll let you know!
If you want to know more about "Haints", click here to read a blog I wrote recently when I discovered the project.
This week, we began diving into the study of human behavior and organic reaction. What most of us don't realize is that we are constantly bombarded with information from other people. Most of us don't pick up on it. It's less about words and more about the raising of an eyebrow, the inflection of a syllable, the shrug of a shoulder, the slight glace to the left or right. These underlying messages are what make up interpersonal connections; these are the life of acting.
I found that the more I pay attention and receive, the more in tune I am with other actors, other people, life and communication in general. For instance, a young student recently came to talk to me about vocal work she was going to do. Her words were, "Are will still going to sing?" However, her body language told me everything I needed to know. She shrugged her shoulders, kept looking to the right, sighed heavier than usual after her sentence, put all her weight on one leg, and pivoted slightly away from me. Because I have been practicing looking for these clues in class, it spilled over into real life. The message I received from her was: "I know we have to sing soon, but I don't feel comfortable, I'm worried about the performance, and I'd rather not do it."
Crazy ain't it?
This kind of perception is what makes a good performance a gotta-hold-my-breath-because-I-don't-know-what's-coming-next kind of performance. This is what I'm aiming for. I'm not there yet, but I'm well on my way.
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula le Guin
I feel like I have started a journey that I have wanted to take for so long. In part, I feel like the character, Samwise Gamgee, in The Lord of the Rings. There is a scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring where Samwise and Frodo are walking in a field. Sam pauses to Frodo's surprise. When Sam is asked why he has stopped walking, he states, "If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." That's what I feel like right now as an actor. Every time I walk into the studio it's the farthest I've ever been as an actor. It's scary, and it's exhilarating, and it's exactly where I want to be.
I'm two classes into this journey, and I can honestly say that I am in great company. Everyone is so enthusiastic. My teacher is fantastic. The most refreshing thing about working and learning with these people is that I feel like I'm in an environment where it's alright to make mistakes. We need mistakes. To quote my teacher, Mary T., "Mistakes are beautiful."
The approach to acting that I am learning, the Meisner technique, focuses on being in the moment. As actors, as humans, we think that this is simple. It's not. If you pause to consider it, our minds dwell on the past and the future far more than the "now". That's the goal of the Meisner technique-- bringing a fresh, "now-ness" to memorized lines and rehearsed blocking. That's what I'm working towards.
So, welcome to the ride. I'll make every effort to blog and vlog every week to keep anyone who is interested updated. Have you ever thought about taking a risk and learning something new? Do it. I did, and I'll never regret it. You can view "Joseph Meets Meisner: Episode 1" below and on subscribe on Youtube.
Breaking news: Joseph Drinkard is alive. I can honestly say that I have never been busier in my life. However, I can, with upmost sincerety, say that I have never been happier. So much is going on!
A few days ago, I auditioned for a new Channing Tatum movie, "21 Jump Street". Click the link to view so more info on iMDB. I'd play "Delroy", one of the nerds that helps hack a cell phone to wire tap it. Keep your fingers crossed. If all goes well, this could be the biggest role I've had so far. I try not to think about it too much. It stressed me out!
In other news, I've been working on my album and things are going spectacularly! If you like a tight beat so a few vocal runs now and then, I think you'll really dig what we're coming up with.
Right now, I'm enjoying the finer things of Greek culture and a night to myself. Life is good. Friends are good, and God is great.
