Actors have different methods of remembering lines (script) what is the best way of remembering?

Question

I remember when I played a character in shakespeare it was difficult to remember all the words. I have great admiration for some fellow actors when they seem to have no problem with their script. I think there are two types of actor. The first is a natuaral the second type has to work at it. What is your experience? How do you remember dialogue? Share with me and the rest of yahoo answers some best methods of remembering your lines. Thank you.

Answer 1

The short answer to your question is: the BEST method of memorization is the one that works for you. It's true that, for some actors, the process comes quite easily, whereas others labor over it.

I would also say, however, that there is an alaming number of actors out there who actually seem to believe that iF they at least know their words by opening night, they've done their job. Personally, I've always believed -- and have always taught -- that memorization is about 1% of the work an actor needs to accomplish throughout the rehearsal period. The sooner an actor gets "off book," the sooner they can actually start PLAYING with the other performers. After all, how can you truly react to another actor, unless you're able to look them in the eye?

As for my method...I read the script over and over. The WHOLE script; not just my own lines/scenes. The more you come to know and understand about the context in which your character speaks his/her lines, the more natural those lines will become to you. Eventually, you reach the point where the words they say are the ONLY words they COULD say, given the circumstances.

One last thing...a lot of actors share your particular concern about memorizing Shakespeare. The fact is that his texts should be EASIER to learn than those of contemporary writers. It's true that they're written using vocabulary and syntax that is unfamiliar to us, but it also has a very strong built-in poetic METER; a rhythm, if you will. Once actors become familiar with that inherent BEAT, they find that learning Shakespeare is much like committing song lyrics to memory...and we all do that!

Answer 2

I don't usually have trouble remembering lines, provided I have adequate rehearsal time. Rehearsing the play, discovering what my character is doing and why means that the lines come naturally - and I am able to learn them 'by heart,' as opposed to having them in my head, if that makes sense.

But sometimes there's limited rehearsal or the lines are just really tough to nail. In that case, nothing beats just drilling them, over and over with someone who will stop me when I make a mistake. Then we go back and start over like that until I have the scene down perfect. It's monotonous work, but it's the best way for me to do it. I know some actors use tapes - they tape the other characters' lines, with pauses, so they can run the scene over and over without the help of another person. Some people swear by writing it all down.

I find that the better something is written, the easier it is to memorize. Good writers have a sense of rhythm and flow that helps an actor out tremendously.

Answer 3

In a nutshell, I'd say that it was to accurately and convincingly portray a character (or characters) on stage or on film as written by the playwright or writer of the screenplay, and as the director requires. It's about being part of a team, including other actors, directors, stage crew, etc, which brings a story to life so that the audience or viewers believe it, enjoy it, and are moved by it. To go into more detail would probably need a full thesis! I expect every actor would have a different personal 'goal', though.

Answer 4

See if your as old as in the pic-(no offense) i'm only 14 and acting is my life. Remembering lines to me comes natural. all you have to do is say the lines to yourself with character! also those so called actors don't have a big job with lines(I really respect actors, hoping to become one myself)-They have scenes that take a day for diffrent effects. Musicals are harder. I remembered my whole scrip in 2 weeks- apposed to 1 month and i had many paragraph parts.

Answer 5

Memorization usually came easily to me, it wasn't hard to get the general gist of the lines memorized. However when doing something like Shakespeare, it's an insult to paraphrase or guess on the lines, so of course it has to be memorized. I'd work at it in chunks, especially with longer scenes or monologues. Something that really helped me memorize monologues was typing it out over and over, until I could type it from memory. Then it was in my head and much easier to memorize. Also, memorize your blocking/characterization WITH your lines, instead of adding it later. That way it goes hand-in-hand instead of you having to remember several different things at once. Hope it helps!

Answer 6

One thing to be aware of is learning your lines without emotions or assumptions is the best technique. When you learn them without any feeling you are able to to be impulsive with the lines, feed off of your partner, mood or energy. If your learning your lines and you already have pre-conceived notions on how you should say them or what emotion you should be feeling at that time, it's not going to matter how well you know your lines, nothing will be natural and in the moment. I also find that learning them as just words with no thoughts is the easiest way to memorize.

Answer 7

Based upon experience it is best to learn lines versus memorizing them. If you learn lines they will stick with you. If you memorize you will quickly forget them.

The difference is which side of the brain you use. Learning lines uses your right side of the brain, and is the same technique you use when you learn a song, or leaned the alphabet. Memorizing lines uses the left side, and usually consists of reading the same thing over and over again. It only lodges in your temporary memory.

One way to use the right brain technique is to give depth to a character by using your mind to give you a deep, imaginary, understanding of the character based upon what the author has written.

For example, all that is known about Romeo consists of what can be read in the stage play, but what makes Romeo tick is largely up to the reader.

Romeo was obviously young, and is said to have been in love with Juliet, but when most men get older they realize that they fall "in love" about every 10 feet or so while walking down a crowded city street. In short, it's likely that Romeo was in the infatuation stage of his relationship with Juliet when the stage play ended. Had they decided to live, their relationship would have progressed through many other phases.

Another aspect of Romeo that could be developed is that he and Juliet were members of two feuding families. Had Romeo been older, once he realized Juliet was a member of the "wrong family" the relationship would probably have cooled. However, Romeo's reaction to Juliet could easily be viewed as youthful optimism, and its possible he could have viewed his relationship with Juliet as a means of starting to end the feud. This last idea isn't stated in the stage play, but it is a possible interpretation of Romeo.

We also have no idea how much the feud has personally impacted Romeo, but it's believable that it would have been significant. In this light, Romeo could have decided to go ahead with Juliet with deep-seated hopes of personal healing as well as with hope of ending the feud.

Keeping the above imaginary Romeo in mind, if you were learning to play Romeo, you would "know" why he says what he says, and why he does what he does. In short, you would "know" what makes Romeo tick, and you would be in step with the way he would think.

If you "know" what Romeo would think, you would also know what he would say in any given situation, and his lines would become natural to say.

Answer 8

The best thing is to try to understand the meaning of it, try to live the part you are playing for a little while and not to just learning by heart the lines.

Answer 9

ah, depends on your learning process.
auditory learner: tape the script and listen, then repeat. you can put it on your ipod!
you can do the same with reading it, if you learn best by seeing.
some people need to type it all out.
timing affects many people - do you learn best at night? in the morning?
my daughter walks around as you repeats the lines; she needs to be in motion in order to retain the words.
i do best when i'm sure of my action for each scene, then the words stick.
in general - i'd also advise to learn them "rote" so you don't pre-assign meaning and are able to be present when performing.

Answer 10

all i have to do is read the script about twice, and then i have it pretty much memorized. but, you see, most people need a specific type of memorization technique