I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Cruel_Sandwich
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
#1I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 4:22pmWhen acting, I tend to gesture on...not just every word...but on every syllable. I tend to have the mindset while in character that if I do not gesture, then I am lacking "energy". Yet, hands at my side looks pretty odd and it's as if I'm not utilizing my arms. I'm currently working on a monologue of Brad from David Lindsay-Abaire's A DEVIL INSIDE and I pretty much have to stab myself to not gesture so much. Any advice from people with similar problems?
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#2re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 4:24pm
Dude, take an acting class or something.
It seems like you have a question of this type at least once a week. If you really, genuinely want to be a better actor, then spend a little less time on BWW asking us and a little more time with a good teacher honing your craft.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
WalkOn
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
#2re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 4:28pm
Edit:
I wrote something herethat was tatesless. I wrote it because I don't think much of Cruel.
I've since deleted it and I hope it didn't bother anyone who read it.
But I do agree with the above post. Get some acting lessons.
or
simply put your hands behind your back and rehearse that way till you get the dependency on gesturing out of your system.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart; and you'll never walk alone.
Updated On: 1/29/07 at 04:28 PM
#3re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 4:29pmi understand, lots of people have this problem even with training. I say, have someone hold your arms to your side as you practice your monologue. Eventually, It should help you feel more comfortable with your hands at your side, and only use gestures to emphasize important parts, I hope that helps!
"...and in a bed."
#4re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 4:32pmDo a show with Joe Mahowald. By comparison, you won't look so bad.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#5re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:16pm
Gesture too much? follow these simple directions:
1. STOP IT!
2. that's all, just stop it
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#6re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:18pmseriously, though, try holding some weights or something heavy.
broadwaybelter
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/26/04
#8re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:21pmWork with a prop. I had this problem with an actor I was directing once - his arms were all over the place. I made him work with a goblet filled with water. It not only stopped the flailing, the goblets gave him some ideas about his character and he made some great choices in performance.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
#9re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:21pmdouble post
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
Updated On: 1/29/07 at 06:21 PM
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#10re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 6:22pmIt comes from understanding what you're saying. If you're saying the word "me" "mine" "I" - don't gesture to yourself - that just looks bad and immature. Basically, it comes from being comfortable with yourself and with your body. Most people gesture because they like that's what they have to do, but you can so much more with your voice and from understanding the text and the situation. Let the gestures rise out of the given circumstances and not from your nervousness.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#11re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 8:30pm
You could always cut your arms off. See EVIL DEAD. Maybe they'll let you use the chainsaw.
Worth a try.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
wexy
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/19/05
#12re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 8:37pm
Don't have to be as violent as Dolly suggests Just bind your arms like they used to do babies in China.
Just remember to loosen the bindings to keep your circulation flowing.
'Take me out tonight where's there's music and there's people and they're young and alive.'
#13re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:14pm
Choose specific times to use a gesture. First figure out how your character stands and how they might use their hands. How your character stands will be your character neutral. You shouldn't really make any large movements in this position unless your character NEEDS to move. He needs to use a part of his body to express what he's saying because words alone will not suffice.
Less tends to be more. Pick specific lines words where a gesture, posture change, ect might help support the character and his intentions.
"This ocean runs more dark and deep than you may think you know...I'll be the fear of the fire at sea."
-Marie Christine
SDav 10495
Broadway Star Joined: 7/21/06
#14re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:15pm
Are you italian?
Exactly what I was about to post.
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
WalkOn
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
#15re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:49pmWhy isn't this off-topic or on the student board?
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart; and you'll never walk alone.
Link Larkin Wanabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#16re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:50pm
Hah I was about to post "Are you Jewish or Italian?"
Akiva
#17re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:52pm
Cruel I understand,
I'm an expressive person enough, and the fact that most of my genetic makeup is Italian doesn't help.
Practice, if not with a coach then on your own.
Eventually you'll fall into favor with hand gestures that work & aren't too extravagant to be taken seriously.
Goshen doesn't do High-School-shows.
#18re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/29/07 at 11:13pm
this thread could not have come at a better time, as i was just told by the choreographer of a show i am currently doing, that i flail my arms everytime i sing.
This is because i don't know what else to do with them, and i dont' want to just stand there.
She told me to make sure that every move i make has a motivation.
good luck!
"talent is wanting something hard enough to work for it" - my drama teacher :)
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#19re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 3:16amLook at Idina Menzel, she always knows what to do with her arms.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
Link Larkin Wanabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#20re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 3:58am
I find in general confident people are more still and comfortable just standing there, whereas people who are more on the shy and uncofortable side tend to hide behind pacing and gestures and twiddling. So if your character is a more akward type, gesturing might work, but if it is a confident person, a stillness tends to have more presence.
Akiva
#21re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 4:59am
Over gesticulation is often a sign of an actor's lack of confidence and trust that they are able to communicate effectively.
Take some acting classes. Or read a book.
Sure, non-verbal is profoundly important on-stage. But not to the point of distraction. Practice saying your lines with absolutely zero blocking. Tie your hands behind your back and just speak the lines. Pay attention and discover how words can be said and inflected differently to convey meaning. Repeat. Repeat again.
Then let go of your arms and permit yourself to use your hands and feet ONLY IF it helps with what you are trying to communicate. Remember how you sounded WITHOUT using your body.
If you find you're still unable to keep your gestures in balance, then you must step outside yourself and look at yourself critically and ask what it is you're afraid of. Gestures seem to be your security blanket. Are you afraid of being vulnerable and inhabited by standing still?
#22re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 1:21pm
cut off your hands.
See, see, I've found a way to solve all of our problems. Cruel can't gesture anymore, which will help his acting, and he won't be able to type anymore, so we won't get anymore of these useless threads.
#23re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 1:29pmThis thread wins the "most enjoyable thread of 2007 thus far" award.
gumbo2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/21/05
#24re: I Gesture WAY Too Much. How Can I Fix This?
Posted: 1/30/07 at 1:30pmI can't feel too bad for you because, judging by your avatar, it looks like you have a Wii.
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