So Why Did They Get the Part?

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.

— Jimmy Johnson

An actress walks into a competitive audition for a featured role on the long-running hit television series Grey's Anatomy. In the scene she is to be helped by the attending doctor after injuries endured from a shocking explosion in the local mall. She tunes into the character in a particular way and suddenly "sees" a hospital emergency room filled with dozens of victims, doctors shouting, and general chaos. She also "feels" her character is not moving her lower body much. She decides to sit for the audition and include the frightening, chaotic environment in her reading. She gets the part!

Why? The casting director said it's because she was one of the few to sit down for the audition — and the scene would be shot on a gurney. Even more important, she was the only actress to pick up on the chaotic environment.

An actress is auditioning for the role of a newspaper reporter in a feature film. She tunes into the character in a particular way and suddenly feels very aggressive. She takes a chance and shoves her face practically nose to nose with the reader's as she demands answers. Against stiff competition, she lands the role.

Why? It turns out the director wanted that much aggression, though there was no such indication from the audition sides. He ends up shooting a close-up with her face shoved right into the face of — this time — Sean Penn.

An actress is in final callbacks for a major feature film starring Harrison Ford. At the previous audition she was emotionally weak in a pivotal scene where she had to walk into the hospital room to find her husband mangled after a horrific car accident. Though she had done all her acting homework, she wasn't able to instantaneously break down as the script had demanded. This time is different: she lands the role.

Why? She added a new technique she had just learned and suddenly all the tears and pain came flying out on cue.

A model, new to acting, gets called in for his first film audition: to play the imaginary boyfriend of the lead character. In the audition, the director has him quickly shift into many different personas. The model works with a new technique he just learned and is able to swiftly and thoroughly make the shifts. He gets the part.

Why? The director says it's because he is so flexible, believably changing his "type" in a moment. The project turns out to be a huge hit and wins two Academy Awards.

So why are these actors getting cast? What are they specifically doing that gives them that extra edge?

They are all using techniques they learned in The Unlimited Actor workshops. They are now working consciously with their energy, having grasped new ways to shift organically into the character. They know how to attune to the energy beneath the writer's words and within the director's vision.

As an Unlimited Actor you, too, can learn to easily shift into any character you want. You'll be able to exactly match your energy — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually — to that of the character's, and before long you will relish exploring their worlds.

Catching the Curveballs: Easy Energy Solutions to Tough Acting Problems

Another reason to learn about energy is that there are all kinds of curveballs that get thrown an actor's way — balls that are hard to catch with most traditional actor training, but have easy, practical solutions in The Unlimited Actor training.

As an acting coach, voice teacher, and healer I have literally heard thousands of actors rant about the following recurring challenges that hamper their creativity. Do any of these experiences sound familiar to you?

"I never had a chance!"

You walk into an audition all excited and you can tell at first glance that the casting director has decided you are the wrong type. How do you break that typing barrier? Or you walk in to strut your stuff, and the director seems far more interested in his or her coffee than in you. Yes, you should focus on your acting technique, including your emotional preparation, your objective, your relationship. But what if you already feel so judged — with nerves or defeat sitting in the pit of your stomach — that all your training goes out the window?

"People are a pain in the $&@!"

You are in an acting class or rehearsal and someone is being difficult — perhaps whispering or texting while you are trying to concentrate. How do you block him out without shutting down the rest of your acting? How do you stay vulnerable to your scene partner when a temperamental director throws a hissy fit every time you make a choice he doesn't like? In other words, how do you take in what you want to take in and filter out what you don't?

" There's not enough time!"

You have a last-minute audition with almost no time to prepare. Or your director suddenly changes his concept and you have to make a 180-degree adjustment right away. The lead in a major motion picture has just quit and you suddenly get the part! Of course, you're thrilled to step up to the plate, but you're also terrified because you have only two days to prepare before filming! What can you do?

"I'm so exhausted!"

During the long run of a play or a grueling shooting schedule, you have to play a traumatized character. How do you not end up drained and a little traumatized yourself?

"What does he want from me?"

The director gives you some acting adjustments on the spot and you can't decipher the directions you were just given. Maybe your nerves...