Method Acting is Extreme

Posted by Xander , , Sunday, February 28, 2010 5:58 PM

Hey World,


Today I was just thinking about the concept of Method Acting. My drama teacher told our class that we would each have to take on a challenging method character. Inevitably, we must become this character and the more vulnerable we feel the better. The process of selecting a suitable character was really hard for me, because I didn't want to do one that was too easy like becoming a nerd, or a ganster, homosexual, etc. After days of contemplating, I finally made my decision, and I came up with the idea of becoming... (DRUMROLL) a mentally disabled person.


Now I know this sounds very controversial, but in the spirit of method acting, this can only be fun. I already know that the community will be my audience. It is doing the little things that will make this experience really powerful. While at a cashier, the simplest twitch can really change the way someone sees you or treats you. While on the bus, having a conversation with an invisible friend might be frightening/funny for a bystander to watch. I am actually ready for the stares, the judging, the ridiculing, the sympathizing, and the laughs I might receive.


If Christian Bale, and other well known actors are willing to go through the extremes in playing a role, why can't I do something so pety? I realize that acting is what I want to do, and it is evident that men must look at their role-models to strive for their own personal perfection. We must be ready to push towards our dreams, for fear is a movable obstacle, and that's my L.A.W

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Branding

Posted by Xander , , 3:12 PM

Hey world,


Last week was hectic, due to the intense branding competition that has been going on in the Acting Academy. The class was split in half, and each team had to brand the 2010 Acting Academy. For those of you who don't know, branding is a term where a group of people create a label for themselves, that makes them recognizable. For example, McDonalds is a brand on it's own, one can spot a McDonalds restaurant for several reasons: the TITLE of the restaurant, the giant "M" (A.k.a their logo), the workers in UNIFORM, etc.

Companies are all branded, whether it's a fast food company, or clothing line, everything and anything significant in the business world, is branded. So as you can see, the whole idea or concept is vitally important.


If you really stop and think, we are bombarded with so many brands, and the most successful ones are successful because of their uniqueness (Nike, Subway, Adidas, McDonalds, Universal, etc). That is what my group is aiming for, something unique, fresh, and has never been done before. You see, we want the Acting Academy to transform into a fierce company that will soon be gloriously recognized. This small concept of branding is so critical as it can help decide if a company makes it or not in this world. Soon, and very soon, we will rise to fame because of our prominent brand.

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Criticism shouldn't Crush, it should Build

Posted by Xander , , Wednesday, February 24, 2010 3:35 PM

Hey world,


Today was hectic. I rushed to school this morning because I woke up late, and I still arrived late EVEN though I live a ten minutes walk away from my school. I blame my branding colours... but that's another story and an entire blog post on its own.
Anyways, my homeroom teacher got infuriated by not only my lateness, but the continuous lateness and absences of the students in the class. She spoke firmly about our reckless habits, and dished out some real raw and cold tough love. Her words were like iron, because she spoke strongly about what she believed, and she made absolute sense. Lateness isn't tolerated in the real world, so why should it be tolerated in schools. I am not one to be late all the time, but that's irrelevant, the fact was that I was late on the day she called the class out on it, and I was penalized for that.
However, a couple people broke down in the class today, and there was just a depressing aura that filled the class atmosphere. This negative vibe was unnecessary because, when people who really mean you well critique you, always remember that it is to build you and make you a stronger person. If they didn't love you, or if they didn't see your potential to do better, they wouldn't care so much about your flaws. It's like an old jamaican proverb that I couldn't seem to understand: "A madda only beat har child outta love and compassion". This means, that punishment or consequences are there to help someone.


It was today that I realized how similar teachers and parents are, they can come down on you really hard, but in the end they just want what's best for you and they are preparing you for the real world. Criticism shouldn't crush an individual it should build them, and that's my L.A.W.

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Bad Boys, so hot?

Posted by Xander , , Sunday, February 21, 2010 2:25 PM

Hey world,

I am confused! Why are black women complaining and speaking lowly of black males? It was just the other day I heard a group of black girls saying: "black guys are waste yutes and they're unfaithful, it's all about white men, etc..."

Hmph...I can tackle this on so many different levels. What's the matter ladies? I swear it was a couple years ago your gender deemed "bad boys" as attractive. It was because of that "law" or "fact", why I wasn't ever smooth with the ladies in middle school, because as the saying goes "nice guys finish last". There was even a song that Destiny's Child wrote, "Soldier".
In that song, it stated that women should aim for men that are "hood", men that wear grills, men that are "street", etc...
DESTINY'S CHILD- SOLDIER (Link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucoSdNM2Atw


I'm guessing all of that changed? It was the media that was telling black men how to portray themselves, as basketball-loving, trouble-making, grill-bleaming, pants-sagging, criminals. What's worse is that iconic women like Destiny's Child come out with a song that supports this stereotype. I mean it's absolutely revolting. Come on ladies; yeah, Jabrawn has grills, swag, and a mean walk! But he's also got Kadiane and Shantoya on the side. I mean is being cheated on, impregnated, and then left, all worth it? Black men are soldiers like you asked for, and soldiers are ruthless. The true Bad boys that you ladies love ever so much, will end up in prison, get infected with HIV, and then come home and give it to you. Yum, now that's attractive, that's real hood love!
Wake up ladies. You deserve better. You deserve a guy that won't take advantage of you, one that both loves and respects you. With a career, and a great sense of direction. Let the media promote that, and brainwash Black Men to have that mentality, and you'll see if you continue to speak lowly of our kind. I guess the lesson to be learned here is be careful what you wish for, and that's my L.A.W

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First Comes Happiness, Then Comes Success

Posted by Xander , , Saturday, February 20, 2010 8:03 AM

Hey world,

A few days ago in class, we were reading an article called "The Vision Thing" by Karen Kondazian. It was very inspiring, as it spoke about several themes relating to the acting industry, and it made small commentaries about life. One section in the article that stood out for me, was when Dr. Maurer said: "The only reason we want to be successful and on a series making a lot of money is we think that that's what's going to make us happy. We're all striving to be happy. What we lose along the way is the realization that we can all creat that happiness, even in the face of all of these adversities". What Dr. Maurer is saying, is that many people want to have money, fame, or a material object in order to make them happy. However, what we don't realize is that we should strive to be happy before we strive for the "catalysts" of happiness.

For instance, this relates to my life, because I always tell myself that by becoming an actor I will be happy. But what if I don't become an actor, can I still be happy? Human beings want success, because they feel that it will bring their happiness along with it, but that is not the case. We have to seek happiness first. Dr. Maurer continues by saying: "That's why we are amazed by the Mother Theresas and Christopher Reeves and nelson Mandelas of the world: They can live amidst pain, poverty, imprisonment, and still find a way to create their own beauty". This insightful statement alone opens the eyes of many, and it really opened my eyes. Everyone makes their own meaning out of life, and at the end of the day we control our happiness, not our fame and possessions. Although materialistic things like that can help us be happy, it is solely our choice, because their are a lot of rich people out there that are unhappy.

To wrap up, we must be in control of our emotions and not let the things around us dictate how we live or how we feel. Happiness starts from within, and it's attainable no matter what situation someone's in, and that's my L.A.W.


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Movie Recommendations for you

Posted by Xander , , 7:06 AM

Hey world, in class we were discussing several topics and one of them was each and everyone’s favorite movies. It got me thinking as to which movie was my favorite, and the reasons behind it. When you force yourself to pick a favorite movie, how do you choose? Does it come easy? What do you look for in a movie to make it be a potential favorite? I asked myself all of these questions, and after contemplating, I finally came up with my top 3.

My Favorite movie is:


Tyler Perry’s- THE FAMILY THAT PREYS (and yes that’s how you spell it)

In this Tyler Perry production, viewers follow the lives of 2 families and the business world. The Family that Preys covers several different themes such as: love, patience, acceptance, deception, etc. It also makes a commentary on human nature, teaching us that people will be forced to make choices and whether good or bad they must live with the consequences. “I Hope You Dance”, the soundtrack for the film, states that “time is a real and constant motion that is always rolling us along, tell me who wants to look back on their youth and wonder where those years have gone?”. This touching statement is proven in the movie, and the viewers can recognize that life should not be taken for granted. Amidst the dramatic lives of the cartwrights and the business world, one can find themselve by relating to the characters. After watching this film, you can wonder or ask yourself several questions: “Is the bitterness I’m feeling towards my parents healthy and proactive? Should I sacrifice happiness for stability? Will playing it safe in life better me in the long run?”. As you can see, each of these few questions can relate to almost anyone and I’m certain that every single individual that watches this film will be touched in someway, and think about the greater meanings of life.


Second on the list is no other than:


THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA


This movie is nothing less than excellent. The characters are all played extremely well and the storyline is rich. Meryl Streep does it again, she is ruthless and remarkably brilliant as Miranda Priestly editor and chief of Runway Magazine. She hires Andrea Sacks (Anne Hathaway) as her personal assistant, who is new to the fashion industry but has a sharp and interesting resume. This film shows how cut-throat the fashion industry is; the title says it all. It also covers multiple concepts and teaches valuable lessons: life is not always better at the top, although sacrifices must be made for success, losing the sense of who you are is not worth it. Ultimately, it takes a lot for a guy to promote a chick flick proudly, so take my word for it and go see The Devil Wears Prada.

And finally my 3rd favorite movie is without a doubt:

THE MIST


In this phenomenal film, townspeople are forced to live inside a grocery store, due to a strange mist that succumbs the entire community. The civilians are afraid to leave the grocery store in fear of the creatures that lurk in the mist, and it is fear that slowly destroys their civilization. This movie is very entertaining and one would think that the main problem the victims face is the creatures out in the mist, but the real predators are themselves. It becomes a battle for power amongst the stranded civilians, and in their desire for establishing order and refraining from anarchy, they gradually lose their humanity. Watch this movie and see who the real creatures are?

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