The Best Acting Lesson in the World

New York Acting-Coach John Windsor-Cunningham passes on an acting
lesson which he says saved his own career. He has worked with every
major theatre company in the UK as well as many in the USA including
the Old Globe in California.

[@regulareverydayhalfbirdguy]

Knowing lines _that_ well, to the point where they're "in your DNA", is pretty much what Anthony Hopkins does. And he's a bloody good actor if you ask me.

[@shanejupp8699]

A regular everyday halfbird guy biggest problem actors have is forgetting the lines tho

[@aeaf25]

@@shanejupp8699 that is the problem when a good actor forgets lines. When you are really engaged with someone listening... I mean really listening. That can and does happen where the emotion you feel taking in is out of sync with the words you have to respond with. Good acting really is all about forgetting your lines to be present to the other person speaking to you. Then trusting you will find the words when the moment is natural to respond.

[@shanejupp8699]

@@aeaf25 the way we learn is assigning the lines for smaller etude exercises we sit opposite one another the teacher says aloud our lines and we repeat with about three or four different stages to it. Then go through a clearing out process to forget everything we want know and need and enter a scene completely empty with no pre determined or rehearsed staging. Just being present and seeing what happens.it’s amazing what can evolve from it

[@aeaf25]

@@shanejupp8699 sounds like a really great effective exercise for sure!

[@NoYoutubeName1]

Jon Lajoie!

[@sapphire962]

Essentially, acting is all about reacting :)

[@sonofwolf2270]

Smol Bean824 You just said something that I did in my mind :D

[@Pumkintale]

Logically reacting so it is a natural doze of reacting )))

[@Dumbledorvsdementors]

Nor is acting “REacting,” as so many old pros insist. Acting is doing. Everything I have dealt with up to this point should lead to action. - Uta Hagen, a.co/fSKYK2J So I think what you’re saying is just a cliché that has been overheard for centuries.

[@laurenj432]

That’s what my theatre director always says. Especially when working with ensemble reactions :)

[@vaibhavsrivastava0769]

What if u had first dialogue

[@dorbitan2935]

Wow. You really know how to catch your audience. that was not only a video, that was a performance Thank you very mush sir

[@MAKEARTNOWCHANNEL]

Those books are 100% in focus.

[@user-fb4sb1zi8g]

😂

[@Ime_Prezime]

They are definitely listening

[@WorkJivan]

But what they are saying to listening whom please say I couldn't understand

[@alexanderSnilsson]

I think this applies not only to acting, but all the conversations we have! Captured my atention, and I'm not an actor. Just a guy trying to improve my abilites to talk and connect with people!

[@johanleissner9479]

Alexander, Yes indeed ! He teaches us acting as if it is real life.

[@VarleyET]

Acting is real life, if your good enough.

[@fredv6510]

@@VarleyET Acting is not real life. Have you ever heard of Integrity?

[@astronauttheoceangod2357]

@@fredv6510 he said that 4 years ago dude. 😂

[@fredv6510]

@@astronauttheoceangod2357 Okay?

[@oliviaward9642]

Wow. Blown away simply by the personality that's expressed by the man in the video. It was soo interesting to watch...

[@johanleissner9479]

I think you can see it too as: Don't fill in the person opposite you. Let the person fill in himself/herself.

[@zulfiqaralikhanghouri]

Johan Leissner you make sense totally !!!

[@Madnessofdwing]

What do you mean exactly

[@lmpossibieeunoia9910]

@@Madnessofdwing sometime's when acting, one has already predetermined how they're going to react to their opposite based on how the person thinks the opposite should act. However, that person should live in the moment and react naturally to what their opposite brings to the table. If that makes sense.

[@NewFutureFantasy]

Dear John. I am a musician, and I am applying the most powerful principle of this lesson to my musicianship. This may well be the best music lesson in the world too! Many thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@yaweeel404]

THANK YOU!!!! The most important lesson for acting and Improv. Loved how he delivered this, with the pauses. I will remember this special share. Something about him grabs you in.

[@regularguy8888]

You make them feel that they're important, their thoughts and reacts to your actions

[@sdmackpictures]

One of the best lessons ever! Learn the lines that well so you can be engaged and really listen and really react. Wonderful.

[@KarimDavisFilms]

had the privilege to have received a lesson from John, was a lot of fun and I did in fact learn a thing or two about acting, great guy

[@CARETAKER89able]

Great to have youtube these days you don't need to waste a lot of your money on classes, did not have this when I started out 25 years ago thank you john.

[@angelicarollin]

The reaffirmation of this is giving me confidence in my instincts, thank you

[@trudybear]

This was recommended to me on my youtube page. I'm not a actor but I watched the video and just thought wow, that's wow.

[@JoseGarcia-kv6ef]

Oh my god and he even portrays a such a vivid picture, bravo.

[@galenalexanderdeeds3310]

Fantastic advice. I have always believed in becoming the character and my lines are not only learned, but are things that I (as the character) would actually say in a given situation. This sometimes means improvising, which some directors don't like, so I find other ways of improvising. Not to add words to the script, but to add body language. Now I will say, I have had no professional acting jobs as of this time, and hope to start an acting class soon. However, having always had a fascination with acting, I have done little things among friends. Sometimes acting characters they wrote themselves.

[@scribblehideout7504]

Galen Alexander Deeds I need to know, how are you doing?

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

@@scribblehideout7504 How are *you* doing?!

[@micky4915]

And that is what we call 'being in the moment'. Thanks for the upload!

[@davidd.tucker1861]

Sir John Windsor-Cunningham, that may have been the best film reel I have ever seen. I almost feel like I don't want another acting class. Watching this a few hundred times will suffice. British actors are much more involved, more present, more intimate, more interesting, more multi-layered and depthful as people, better listeners and hence much better than American artists. You sir are an incredible talent.

[@AltariqAbraham]

I can't fully comprehend what he is truly saying. On the outside it seems like he is saying just listen but I feel there is something more.

[@AndresGarcia-kj3jq]

Altariq Abraham This is really late, but essentially, he's saying to truly take in what the other person is saying and doing. To let them penetrate your conscious to where you are no longer worried about what you are saying or what you are doing in response. You are simply absorbing what they are giving, and then you respond back naturally and organically to what is govern to you. It's a hard thing to do...to really open yourself up to receive, and letting your attention away from yourself. It's a selfless attitude that I believe stems from genuinely being interested and sensitive to the world around you (:

[@fatihakhan4381]

Andres Garcia you explained this video so well. Thanks

[@paulcervenka]

@@AndresGarcia-kj3jq And also that you have to, most of the time, be hearing something like it was the first time you have ever heard it. To not get caught up in the lines and anticipate the words that you know are coming.

[@harryarcher58]

A lot of beginner actors will memorize the last few words of the other actor's lines and just use it as a cue to say their own line, not truly listen to the other character.

[@SydTheGray]

So basically........just be yourself

[@nylereilly2637]

As my tutor always says "acting is reacting."

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

The subtlety was not lost on me - thanks John :)

[@garymacmillan6401]

He took this in so much he went on to do amazing work.

[@nancyofallonvo]

This man is quite amazing. As a voice actor getting back into it after almost a decade away, I am refreshing and adding to my skills (one can never know it all). I am mesmerized by John. Subscribed immediately. I want more! Thank you sir.

[@w.scottparkeriii8508]

I was listening for the fourth time John. Thank you!

[@BMG060981]

When he got serious about me listening to him I was observing him.

[@2ndPortal]

this video is him applying the technique that he's at the same time teaching. he creates a problem between 2 opposites (in this case listening and not listening) and resolves it at the complete end so you end up listening all the way.

[@delaney6982]

Thank you for this, when I’m acting I’m usually only focused on my next line and not what my scene partner is telling me, this was a great eye opener!

[@PhunkyMunky10]

I am trying to develop the craft of fiction writing. In order for my dialogue to come off well, and for my characters to shine, I thought I might look to acting. A character drives the whole story. You could have a terrific plot, but if characters are poorly developed and not well represented, with dialogue portraying the emotion of the moment, the story is rubbish. Nobody will wish to read them. In any good story, the characters drive everything. And you've got to think, exactly how would character A say this to character B? I think the only solution is to act it out and see what happens. I thank you for your video, this advice of yours can apply to far more in life than just acting!

[@SnkobArts]

StonedPatriot Very cool that you have the open mind to do that! Ive met film directors who've never acted or taken an acting class and its just silly to me.

[@PhunkyMunky10]

Jacob Childers Thank you. I have likewise taken to outlining my stories by using Acts and worrying about breaking it up into chapters later. This way I can lay out what happens. First I do so roughly, and later on I will expand those "Acts" by dropping scenes and inserting dialogue. Once I have all of that set out, it's time to sit down and write that first draft. I hope it helps my writing in this way. A friend of mine, who writes comics and dabbles in screenwriting introduced me to that method of writing and so I'm going to see if that doesn't improve my capabilities. I started looking at different ways to organize my writing after I wrote a novella and found that... It wasn't organized, or as rich as I had hoped it would be. I ended up scrapping around 17,000 words worth of fluff. The dialogue isn't very good, character development not so good, and I discovered I have been having a hard time seeing the world I created through my characters' eyes. This is because I didn't bother to sit down and make each character their own person, rather than just a mirror of myself.

[@SuperHaven7]

+StonedPatriot Thanks so much for sharing. Good 'luck' with that.

[@Rockittizkies]

This is an incredible insight!! thank you for this

[@joeygonzales356]

StonedPa I've been writing for years and id be happy to help with the polishing of your art. start me out with a tiny plot, it could be random and ill show you the dialogue i can create for it

[@makasoona35]

this actually helped me so much, thank you!

[@Soberhamster11001100]

You made that story really vivid, and I think I only now understand the advice that some people give that listening is the most important element of acting. Thank you.

[@seananseo]

Great story ...... thanks for sharing it !

[@mumsthatvlog1284]

Thank you so much for these videos. i am finding them very useful and also very entertaining to watch.

[@PedroGarcia1961]

I totally agree with what was said and with the title of this clip.

[@danielhalse301]

solid good chap, thank you for uploading.

[@shannonberry3]

Truly amazing and admirable. Thanks for being so helpful.

[@blackryn0]

Greatest advice ever.

[@WebLadyKim]

There is great value in this, not just for actors. Thank you John.

[@jimflauntt683]

I appreciate your acting so much

[@michaelbradtke5980]

Great story mate! Thanks for the lesson.

[@DiegoVT91]

Brilliant advice, every word is true.

[@ktmb1]

Listening, what a key element! I appreciate this!

[@ultralooca]

pure gold

[@swisschoklate736]

wow!!! thanks for this.

[@annyanny1873]

Thank you!!! Quick and succinct. Excellent!!!

[@tracyjones7595]

Thank you for sharing...

[@MrFreer101]

Awesome. OMG...That's exactly what I needed, Thank You so Much!!! I totally get it!

[@EquineBallet]

WOW, very powerful advice! Thank you for sharing.

[@SameerAliKhan_]

Totally agree with you John. have been in a situation like that where had just foucsed on memorising and delivering my lines but during time have learned the art of listening. I only enjoy acting while I'm listening and then reacting. Thanks John For Sharing This. It Is Really Helpful For New Actors!!!

[@juansantana8057]

It's a great story!, very interesting to apply on your life at all levels.thank you

[@johnnycatfishproductions2288]

Thank You John for sharing..makes perfect sense!!! LISTENING!!!:)

[@IskandarTheWack]

Great video, I'll take this and make it my own, thanks for helping me improve my passion.

[@june19th85]

I got what you saying😃 and I will apply to my skills. Thank you for your input

[@MMGabrielle]

Sounds like emotional attunement. The deepest gift we can give

[@phoenixrising1103]

I caught this 2 years ago when it had only 12 views or so. It's an excellent clip, as wereare/ your other ones :)

[@Colombianactor]

Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge with us, I deeply admire you Sir, thanks again.

[@visionary9385]

I’m truly going to learn what listening is. - The crazy thing is that this was uploaded on my birthday 🙃👌🏽, so now I feel like it’s something that I definitely need to better myself in my acting.

[@ms.originalnaturehairandma8123]

You're Awesome Sir.

[@sparqqq]

So good and important John! Thank you!

[@peterkemball]

Yes it was a good story. You're right, listening is a precious art. Sounds like you found a great friend who also was a great teacher. I hope I can be aware of this when it happens. On another note, one evening while emotionally preparing for a scene on stage a fellow actor just as I was about to go on stage came up to me, took me by the shoulders, shook me and said, "Are you ready Pete?!" completely snapping me out of my preparation. Lesson learnt, I should have used that disruption to fuel rather than distinguish my anger for the scene, as the scene demanded a great deal of outward as well as inward anger. Thank you.

[@lincolncollingridge8822]

what an epic story "YOURE NOT LISTENING TO ME" now i need to snap one off

[@billywalker2047]

You seem a very wise man sir, that was a very helpful tip i understood evertthing : ) thankyou.

[@Flickit100]

Very good, your acting just got better and better as you listened more and more

[@WorkJivan]

Please an you say that what does they are saying to listening I couldn't understand please

[@RS-jd7jp]

Thank you so much💯💯

[@pinkypey10]

Amazing technic! Will apply to my next audition.

[@Apkaapnamohitsanatani]

The most important lesson , ever given by someone.

[@akarpana]

Wow..Thank you!!

[@TubenIt83]

So the actor who forgot his line’s didn’t know them in HIS DNA.

[@leroilightning4458]

*lines

[@Kakatawaga]

Perhaps the actor who forgot his lines could've responded to the non-listening actor with his deeply known lines. And thus then to prompt the non-listening actor into wakefulness.

[@JorgePrietoNYC]

So true, the art of good speaking is good listening. Listening with the brain and not with our ears it takes years of practice for many of us. I personally learned how to really listening through years at an big commercial airline call center and later while studying Meisner and applying it to scripts.

[@CP-ww1nj]

Gorgeous man, I must say.

[@aakashsingh9560]

Title justified ...i knew it but now i knew it more ..thanks a lot and the story was superb

[@coracalfaz4797]

i love this man.

[@CameronPrudames]

fantastic video very inspirational.

[@jinkss111]

at the endish it gave me goosebumps awesome!

[@Goldmangun]

Brilliant!

[@exito3317]

Wow! That is amazing. Wow

[@JanTjerrild]

This is great, thanks :)

[@geoffreygilbert6873]

Bravo Sir!Right on!

[@JodyMullins]

Thank you.

[@declandrohan5642]

radiating and receiving... that's all there is

[@jackson1693]

Thanks for all your acting tips.

[@DaJukezz]

You are right. In other "entertainment-videos I would grab my phone and get bored. But you got me listening and had my attention

[@RealActorsLab]

This is a great tip and I do think it can take years to really learn. Thanks for sharing. I like your style. :)

[@nancylee2120]

Fantastic.

[@jazzyginger123]

Dear Mr. Windsor-Cunningham, Thank you for giving me this opportunity on YT to learn more. I have subscribed and will soak in your knowledge and experiences. Grateful.

[@PTSmash]

I met the great Erick Avari a couple years ago and he told me of the importance of listening for actors. That's why I'm happy to have tajen the time to listen to this story as it enforces the exact same idea.

[@yoyothasme123]

Love this guy

[@phelelanimthembu9295]

Thanks a lot sir.

[@Hannah-gr7lk]

“Don’t play the part be the part” - someone very wise

[@richardgray3710]

Yes, great story. I'm not an actor but am trying to understand actors as I have to photograph them. And this helps a lot, so thanks. But talking of photography, a small well-meant tip: perhaps ask your cameraman to focus on your face rather than the books in the background.

[@gtamediaproductions1]

Thank you much!

[@NobleLuke]

If it were upto me I'd have this man called Sir John Windsor-Cunningham. This one video of yours truly helped me 3 years ago, when I was given the chance of a lifetime to play lead in an indie film opposite some really seasoned actors. The sheer weight of it all was enormous, until I came across this gem of yours on youtube. Thank you, Sir John WIndsor-Cunningham

[@actorgames9628]

Very informative and thank you.

[@hncsisters968]

OMG 😮 this helps so much thank you

[@neelamjhaveri8098]

❤❤❤ yes yes.. We have to apply this..

[@pepperbea7149]

Important advice from John Windsor-Cunningham. I’m a big believer in memorizing lines well, without any preconceived expression, so I can listen and react truthfully in the moment. The DIALOGMASTER PRO rehearsal app has been soooo helpful with the memorizing and rehearsing of lines. It’s making the preparation process much easier, so I don’t have to think about my lines, I can just focus on what the other characters are giving me to react to. Thanks for uploading this 🙏🏼

[@Jones572]

Good advice!!....great story!!

[@idinazimi]

Ahhh i admire you so much! One-day i will give a shout out to you so loud that you would hear it from the other side of this planet

[@clairesoullier2669]

Bravo !

[@lordclassic3026]

So good.