Thanks for the feedback,

The play/musical is footloose by the way

the director suggested I hold my position (arm raised) till she runs off, as she is running of i rub my forehead with the hand i was going to hit her with, then lean on a table (nearby), head down.

Opinions?

Originally posted by castMe I have witnessed scenes that have reduced me to a sobbing idiot by merely watching actor A watch the actor B exit.? He needn't cry nor wail, nor wring his hands, nor curse the gods. I was moved because I KNEW how the actor felt, and yet I have no idea whether he was as moved as I or was pondering what to eat after the show.?? ?

ah - gotcha. I think we agree. LOL Just a difference in phraseology.
Though, I might add, if the actor was TRULY pondering what to eat after the
show, I bet you wouldn't have been so moved! LOL

B-M-D

I think James is feeling a little insecure in what he's been asked to do. However, I agree he really needs to talk with his director and explain that he's still uncomfortable. Of course, what he's feeling on stage may not be what it looks like out in the house. I've never been a proponent of using videotape during the rehearsal or performance period as a tool to develop character or movement. That's what the director is for. When I direct, I forbid any use of video.

James,

If what you are feeling is based on what you are seeing on the tape (I'm going back to your first post), perhaps it's time to put the tape away and trust your director... after all, that's why we have directors. After all the discussions we've had on this board about "backseat directors", we tend to defer to the director in this type of instance.

Everyone -

Videotape as a rehearsal tool - discuss.

Originally posted by Mike Polo I think James is feeling a little insecure in what he's been asked to do. However, I agree he really needs to talk with his director and explain that he's still uncomfortable. Of course, what he's feeling on stage may not be what it looks like out in the house.

Just what I was going to say. This relates to the other discussion about "doing nothing."  How you feel as an actor does not neccesarily have anything to do with what the audience perceives.  What you think you are seeing on a videotape does not neccesarily represent what an audience is going to perceive.  That's why you need a director.

Videotape as a rehearsal tool - discuss.

It seems like a terrible idea, though I've never seen it used so I guess I should reserve judgement. A videotape of a theatrical performance does not represent the reality of the performance. Also, the mind tends to judge it according the aesthetics of film and television productions that were designed for the screen, where a play is not. In other words, it's going to look "bad" and even worse during rehearsal. You would run the risk of destroying your actors' confidence in themselves and you (especially young actors.) At the very least, if you start showing actors videotapes of themselves rehearsing it seems to me it's going to radically interfere with the process. They would start judging themselves, second guessing the director and making subjective decisions based on what is at best a distorted view. On the other hand, maybe it would be of some use in a musical to check choreography.

Oh man.  This is such and interesting thread!  Love it!  as far as using video for rehearsals I've never done it except in one show we videod the choreography - the choreographer doing it - so people could practice and memorize it at home.  Worked ok.