Mastering the monologue

Neuro Acting presents a helpful video for choosing, preparing, learning and rehearsing a monologue, the icebreaker for all actors. Presented by Bryan Bounds, Neuro Acting founder.
The Guide to Actioning is available from the Toolkits page at www.neuroacting.com.
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[@fatherfreya1650]

I’m a shy person. I have the mood, tone and vision set and stone in my mind but I can’t act it out because I get nervous and become too focused on the way I sound. I start to talk as if I’m listing everything out or I’ll go straight into robotic reading. Any tips on calming down? I’ve been recording myself and listening to what I need to work on.

[@abdiwahabhassan5080]

I have the exact same problems

[@NeuroActing]

You’re not alone - most actors are shy (me included). What’s going on is that your rich emotional inner life - which is the beautiful part of being an introvert (if that’s how you see yourself) - is being held in. And that’s why we’re monitoring and criticizing ourselves. I used to do the same. The remedy requires: 1) Imagination and 2) laser-like Focus. Imagination: put the focus OUTSIDE yourself (like we all do in conversations). I always ask: what is it about my scene partner that I MUST change? That’s why I HAVE to say these exact lines - I couldn’t say anything else. And then Focus: I must WATCH her (the imaginary partner) to see if I’m changing her. In my homework, I must make her the answer to my problem, and I must make her unwilling to help - that’s why I keep talking for three minutes...I have no idea I’m ‘doing a monologue’! And the more important it is for me, the less I’ll worry about how I sound, the more I’ll behave like a real human being, instead of an actor. It’s also absolutely crucial to accept that YOU are the character - we don’t play characters anymore. We don’t hide, we don’t protect ourselves - we put ourselves out there (and don’t worry: the audience will secretly identify with your truth and your weakness). We must identify with that person, or we’ll only be faking it. And we must really, actually be connecting with that other person. Acting calls for more reality in our relationships than we’re normally willing to invest. Maybe that’s why we’re drawn to it! Let me know how it goes.

[@randallpaul288]

One of the main problems I see with actors or presenters is they lack an understanding of the processes required. There are elements to a monologue that must be incorporated in order to create a more dynamic presentation. Nerves com from being unprepared or having too many questions in your mind which immediately is a block. Frustrating to say the least. Being shy? Explain if you want why you think you're shy? There are ways to make the flip as I call it and frankly the students that I've worked with who were the most shy blossomed into being the most expressive, engaging and interesting, passionate people which filtered into their work as actors. Now they are excited and willing and those destructive Nerves converted into a wonderful energy. Once you know your job well, things like shyness, low confidence, nerves, hesitation, personal confusion simply go away..

[@shanejupp8699]

Rid yourself of trying to please someone or many people as an end result, character and audience threshold are hard to put aside but once you do you’ll never be as nervous or as scared as you once were

[@dougnonduality]

I loved the video! I'm Brazilian and really interested in acting in English. I'm taking acting lessons here in Brazil and I want to practice acting with monologues but did't know hot to stuty a monologue yet.

[@qidex]

Very useful, and as said, clearly spoken and delivered. I will say, though, it helps to get the text into your body if you act out the monologue, understanding the context, before memorizing it.

[@rolandojr.antonio6855]

Wow, Mr. Bryan, you have such a wonderful voice, crystal clear and very relaxing. Thank you for this very informative tip for monologue!

[@thefunk9307]

This was great. Thank you very much for sharing these gems. Love the blooper at the end!

[@jasminestarling3736]

This was really helpful thank you so much!

[@Solidus_305]

Brilliant

[@msnikkistravelingstorybag]

Great information, I can use these tips when I tell stories as Ms. Nikki's Traveling Story Bag. I'm excited to put these tips to the test.

[@chloeturner7387]

Thank you, Mr. Bryan! Very helpful. and loved the blooper at the end haha.

[@millenabrandao5889]

Hi, I'm from Brazil, and this video is really good. Thank you, you helped me to realize things that I wouldn't see alone. I have already signed up!!

[@nkululekogates7423]

very helpful...thank you

[@latezwilliams1020]

Awesome video!!!

[@malcolmmcmichael7678]

Great helpful reminders. Thank you

[@MrBinieam]

Thank you so much this very helpful

[@mid2k]

Great Video, Thanks!

[@faithtobedza9653]

thank you for the hints

[@SplatterGab]

Thank you Bruce Campbell

[@robinouxnoux9175]

Thanks so much for this video ! Especially during quarantine when it’s so hard to get classes and everything is happening online. I just recorded my first monologue on my channel and would love to get some criticisms and advices.

[@solimanelamouri]

Very usefull,thank you very much

[@Karina-sy6kt]

Great advice. Thank you!

[@NeuroActing]

Karina Skreros thanks Karina, working on a new version that goes even deeper! Should launch it by April. Break a leg!

[@lyvensevariste]

I will love to k ow how do I find acting gigs like extra or something like that just to star ??

[@Mirelly]

Thank you. That's a great video!

[@NeuroActing]

Thanks Mirelly. Use this info, it works! You can get a more in-depth training video with free guidebook with 5 Keys to Mastering the Monologue at www.NeuroActing.com. Break a leg!

[@elinaphiri8316]

Thanks so much

[@kennyiv1657]

You’re really cool man.

[@j9walters526]

I love this guy and his channel, I want him to upload again :(

[@NeuroActing]

Thanks for saying that! Love you too, and more nifty videos are coming…

[@j9walters526]

@@NeuroActing 😌🤌🏾

[@iv9891]

Hello :) I have a question, I'm preparing for an audition for acting school and most common problems I experience whilst rehearsing is remembering the tune or the melody in which I speak and it gets stuck (if that makes sense). And being present while doing the monologue, that is doing it naturally without listening myself (which is kinda same as the first problem) Any help with that? Thank you so much, and keep up the amazing work ❤

[@tomculver2029]

Got it!

[@oshien1719]

Thank you sir, I really needed it😘❤

[@LiaAEvans-ul7mm]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@NeuroActing]

Lia A. Evans thanks Lia. Glad you found it helpful! I invite you to subscribe to the channel as I’ll be launching more videos in the Spring that teach more technical skills. Good luck to you.

[@kabeloskhebo6130]

@@NeuroActing Am great at writing the monologue but action is the hard part

[@montymol3_467]

Nice job in helping us amateurs out

[@NeuroActing]

MontyMol3 _ You’re welcome and break a leg! What’s your theatre company?

[@grahamwilliams5047]

American School of Acting in Yorkshire Where can I download the study guide your referenced in the video? I checked the website and didn’t see an area to get it.

[@NeuroActing]

Graham Williams I’m working on a new KZbin video course and study guides to go on the website. So if you subscribe to the channel Graham you’ll hear about it. Hope you found it helpful buddy and good luck with your career.

[@aayraaccharya1894]

Thank you sir

[@NeuroActing]

You’re welcome!

[@beanieandboonie6539]

I have to do a monologue for a college that I applied forn

[@myfirstcrappyvideobilly]

Subbed

[@meganpiepgrass5300]

What monologue would you recommend for a young(ish) teen? I can't seem to find one that works.

[@NeuroActing]

That’s a challenge because each personality is unique. You’re in luck: I spent all day yesterday compiling all my monologues for young actors. It will be ready in about a week after editing. Til then go on NeuroActing.com and take my free ‘How to Do a Monologue’ workshop with guidebook - free until next Friday. Help is on the way!

[@Itz_Dua1]

very helpful

[@NeuroActing]

Afaf Noman Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I’m busy teaching now but there’ll be more videos in the new year.

[@anushkatrimbake2428]

Wow

[@randallpaul288]

I receive so many monologues from actors. I must say 98% lack any form of engagement. So destructive for the actor

[@carmelssss]

What do you mean exactly by engagement? I have a Monologue I have to perform tomorrow!!

[@esoheesther3848]

carmen raad this may not be helpful anymore, but I think he receives no further instructions. That’s similar to mine tbh! Im filming an audition tape for an agency, but the monologues rarely tell me any movements/ behavior. I’m new to acting, so I guess I’ll just improv it :)

[@NeuroActing]

carmen raad I’ll try to answer for Randall. I think what he means is the difference between ‘putting on an act’ (which most audiences can tell is fake) and actually engaging with the piece. We do that by asking, “how is this piece like something from my own life”, and “if I were in this situation how would I behave? What would I feel, what thoughts would run through my head, and what would I do to the person I’m talking to, to get what I want?” Then put yourself in the character’s place and fight for your position without caring what you sound or look like. Then you’ll look like you’re really engaged with it. Does this make sense? Let me know if you need more advice and break a leg. Bryan

[@faithtobedza9653]

Thank you. What I had in mind was expressing my feelings on a certain situation. How about that?

[@NeuroActing]

faith Tobedza I’m all for making acting look like life. So be honest, how long would you be interested in watching someone else expressing their feelings? Ten seconds? That’s how long they’ll be interested in you - no matter how talented you are. BUT if you showed someone in a situation where they were SUPPRESSING their feelings, struggling to get something from the other person...That’s interesting to watch because it’s exactly like life. But I’d recommend you find some good books on writing monologues (Jack Poggi’s Monologue Workshop is good). Good luck!

[@faithtobedza9653]

@@NeuroActing Wow it makes a lot of sense. Yah i get it. Thank you. I can feel it now and I feel more confident. God bless you

[@gayathrisudarsan9044]

A lot of times I have seen actors breaking the fourth wall and talking to the audience, which is something I find very intimidating. While doing a play, I am not conscious and I am able to slip in to the role of the person I am playing, but it's super difficult in a monologue. Feels like I am being untruthful, if that makes sense? The thing you said about creating a circumstances makes sense and I think that could be helpful, but is it absolutely necessary that one maintains the eye contact with the audience that some actors tend to do sometimes?

[@NeuroActing]

Hi Gayathri, that’s an excellent question, and I’m writing a blog post to address this, because it is such a brilliant question. I’ll post the link to it once I’m finished!

[@gayathrisudarsan9044]

@@NeuroActing thank you very much!

[@cathymulroy5435]

Hi Bryan, my name is Cathy Mulroy. I am very new to monologue. Interested in taking my book and putting it into a monologue. I was told to watch monologues, take courses etc… where to start. Cat

[@NeuroActing]

Hi Cathy, there’s an excellent book by Jack Poggi called ‘The Monologue Workshop’ which has a section on adapting non-dramatic sources into monologues. I found the book also helpful in preparing and delivering a monologue. There’s also a helpful monologue short course on my Neuro Acting site. Best of luck! Bryan

[@faithtobedza9653]

i want to create my own monologue now as i want to act

[@NeuroActing]

faith Tobedza That’s wonderful - everyone has a story worth hearing! You might try this: find an object that has very special meaning to you (an old toy, a book, a gift) and daydream why it’s special to you. Then imagine a friend has a need that’s nearly like the feelings you get from your object. And then create a situation where you help them meet THEIR need with your story. That’s only one way to get started, but you might have a whole career ahead of you, and with a name like Faith, you’re on your way! Good luck.

[@subjectI17]

🎬

[@ferguson1376]

I just want to monologue to have a laugh with my mates...

[@Orchid_cchild]

Mastering monologue Choosing monologues suits ur personality Age appropriate Exited to do it Involved in character Using imagination wid character's surrounding circumstances Memorize sentence by sentence Read before u sleep

[@untitleduck9623]

mafia bosses take note

[@marcusblair2622]

This dudes in 2 anime’s

[@bloodyeyes4899]

why does he look like a young bruce campbell from the Evil dead movies

[@NeuroActing]

BatJedi productions Funny, Bruce told me just the other day, “why does everyone tell me I look like Bryan Bounds?” We had a good laugh about it.

[@authorjamieljones]

s this charlie sheen?

[@rameshsoalnki6422]

I feel stree when i act my mind feel stree what exercise i have to do and what thing i have to remove form life , i do drunk , and mastubation ...

[@rameshsoalnki6422]

But i loved acting

[@Coyoteinthedesert]

Bruce Campbell de

[@woodzwxrks593]

Anyone from 8m

[@fishermanlad4270]

It sucks when you try really hard and then you fail

[@NeuroActing]

Mr. Lonely pin.it/jnbvxvpsiqp76l. Keep on truckin’. I’m full of doubt and failures too, but I’ve been able to use more in my art from my failures (MUCHO) than from my few successes. Best wishes.

[@ktoth29]

This guys actor voice is a bit too buttery, I feel like I'm watching an infomercial.

[@ktoth29]

I should add, I think his advice is solid. Its the level of polish that is off putting.

[@celtekrider2]

Doesn't seem authentic....

[@elinaphiri8316]

Thanks so much