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Jman383 Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Location: New York, NY Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Haven Burton |
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| LaurelDP wrote: | | The thread is discussing amateur conduct, not necessarily the conduct of amateurs. |
Grammatically speaking, that's not what the title infers at all.
And Beagle, the fact that you have to even ask that question makes you the latter of the two. 
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Patch  Broadway Legend
Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Total posts: 1860 Location: Right over your shoulder Primary role: Performer |
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| Jman383 wrote: | | LaurelDP wrote: | | The thread is discussing amateur conduct, not necessarily the conduct of amateurs. |
Grammatically speaking, that's not what the title infers at all.
And Beagle, the fact that you have to even ask that question makes you the latter of the two. |
Dude Jordan you know you're my boy, but you're totally picking nits here.
Stop beating this horse...he's beyond dead.
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Jman383Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Location: New York, NY Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Haven Burton |
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I'm "picking nits", because seriously, that is how the thread started, and now we're all trying to say otherwise. As I stated earlier, I think it's hilarious that a good deal of posters on here sit and list traits of "the amateur" when they themselves probably do the same exact horrid habits, and will for the rest of their lives. It's a joke!
I think the thread would be more useful if we actually talked about our OWN bad habits as performers and how we'd like to improve them in order to further our craft. But again, that's just me.
Granted, given the likes of this thread, I would assume that my idea would turn into even MORE pretentious garbage of people acting as though they have NO bad habits, and are perfect performers, and that they just "choose" not to pursue performing as a career, because they're above it... or something like that. 
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PatchBroadway Legend
Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Total posts: 1860 Location: Right over your shoulder Primary role: Performer |
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| Jman383 wrote: | I'm "picking nits", because seriously, that is how the thread started, and now we're all trying to say otherwise. As I stated earlier, I think it's hilarious that a good deal of posters on here sit and list traits of "the amateur" when they themselves probably do the same exact horrid habits, and will for the rest of their lives. It's a joke!
I think the thread would be more useful if we actually talked about our OWN bad habits as performers and how we'd like to improve them in order to further our craft. But again, that's just me. |
I think that's simply a matter of perspective. I didn't translate this thread the way you have...I'm guessing other didn't either. I won't say all traits listed in the thread I agree with as actual amateur habits rahter than just pet peeves...but I do think the intent of the thread is much broader than you believe it is.
As to casting apsersions to the effect that the people listing said traits probably do them themselves...quite honestly I don't think holds any merit to relation to the thread in its entirety.
The thread wasn't about what the posters bad habits may or may not be...it was habits as viewed from the outside. You want a thread to the contrary...then start one.
Ok I'm getting out of Dad mode now.
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Jman383Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Location: New York, NY Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Haven Burton |
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No, no, I know all of that Patch, I do. I'm simply suggesting that the intent of the OP's first post was to list traits of untrained or non-professional (in the business sense) actors. He even stated that! And while I admit I did NOT read the majority of the thread (as it's from 2 years ago), I merely assumed the intent was the same as the 1st post. Clearly, I was wrong.
As for the second bit, I don't think that the thread should have been made that way, nor do I think the OP wanted it to. After all, my second remark about what it would turn into is almost completely directed towards HIM.
That's why I don't think there's any reason to start one. Pretentious posters (and there's more than just the one) would ruin it and capitalize on other people's insecurities IMO. Again though, that's just me.
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PatchBroadway Legend
Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Total posts: 1860 Location: Right over your shoulder Primary role: Performer |
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Well to end this little tete a tete let me just reiterate this;
The thread as it is contructed from it's beginnings (I have read the whole thing...took a while too) was built on opinions. As what one person feels constitutes the habits of a stage amateur may differ greatly from the next persons.
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| kozafluitmusique Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Total posts: 5866 Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Trying to stay sane learning ten million instruments |
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Look, I read all the topic, but I don't understand why it is revived. Okay? I'm sorry I went over the other definition of amateur.
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PatchBroadway Legend
Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Total posts: 1860 Location: Right over your shoulder Primary role: Performer |
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| kozafluitmusique wrote: | | Look, I read all the topic, but I don't understand why it is revived. Okay? I'm sorry I went over the other definition of amateur. |
There is absolutely no reason for you to apologize.
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Jman383Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Location: New York, NY Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Haven Burton |
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Agreed.
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hyperactress23Broadway Legend
Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Total posts: 1492 Location: USA Primary role: Performer Current obsession: The Light in the Piazza, The Fantasticks, Shrek |
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| Patch wrote: | | kozafluitmusique wrote: | | Thinking about it now, amateur can have two different meanings. One being the level of quality of training and the second can be how they act in rehearsals and such. I mean, one can do their best to appear professional in how they behave but have amateur training. If that makes sense. |
I really think you hit the nail on the head. I've known many performers who techincally fall under the "amateur" status but conduct themselves as cosumate professionals. Conversely I've worked with MANY "professionals" that act like complete and total amateurs. Horrible rehearsal habits...terrible back stage conduct...bad attitudes...the works.
So yes I do believe there are definately different definations to the terms. |
I've never worked in professional theatre. I've done theatre on the level of grade school, middle school, high school, junior college, and community theatre. So I am definitely an amateur by the definition of a non-professional actor.
That being said, I've gotten compliments from directors about how "professional" I am. After performing in Snoopy, my director gave me a thank you card. In it, she wrote (and I quote): "I've been so impressed with your organization & air of professionalism - from the very beginning." I think her card (in its entirety) was one of the highest compliments I've received from a director, which is why I still have it and know exactly where it's at five months later. I learned several things in this production, both things you should do and things you shouldn't. I think a few of them would fit well here.
-Don't try to hide things when auditioning! We had about four or five weeks of rehearsals. We have our first couple of rehearsals, and suddenly Charlie Brown and Woodstock (siblings) inform our director that they forgot to put their vacation down as a conflict. They then left the next day and missed two weeks of rehearsal. Yes, you might not get the part this time. But you won't lose the director's respect, and you won't have to work with a director who's upset with you.
-Bring EVERYTHING with you to rehearsal! Unless otherwise told, always bring your script, score, and schedule with you. You never know when you'll have a note you need to write down in your script or score, or when your director will make a schedule change. Better safe than sorry. Plus, if you need anything to wear while rehearsing (i.e. dance shoes, character shoes, etc), BRING IT TO REHEARSAL! Don't expect the director or choreographer or anyone to make exceptions for you because you don't have your shoes with you.
-Be ready to start rehearsal at the scheduled time. Meaning: don't show up at the scheduled time and expect to be given time to do what you need to get ready. For "Snoopy", we had cast members coming in late, cast members coming in with their dinner and expecting to have time to eat it before starting, etc. The director got really annoyed by this, and it made the actors doing it look bad.
-Turn your phone off! You can go a few hours without talking on the phone or texting. This should go without saying for performances, but is an often ignored rule for rehearsals. Don't turn it on vibrate, turn it off! I've seen very few things annoy a director more than when an actor misses a cue because they are backstage texting.
I could go on for hours with "signs of the amateur", but I'll end by saying that one thing I often don't do (which most directors seem to consider amateurish) is practice at home. I've managed to at least appear that I've practiced (or at least I've not had directors get on to me for this yet), but honestly the only thing I will consistently practice at home is choreography. (Otherwise I'd have to be removed from all dance numbers on account of not being able to keep up.) A couple days before I have to be off-book I will go over my lines until I know them. Other than that, if I don't get called out for something in rehearsal I don't tend to work on it much outside of rehearsal. This is something I'd like to work on for future shows.
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PatchBroadway Legend
Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Total posts: 1860 Location: Right over your shoulder Primary role: Performer |
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| hyperactress23 wrote: | | Patch wrote: | | kozafluitmusique wrote: | | Thinking about it now, amateur can have two different meanings. One being the level of quality of training and the second can be how they act in rehearsals and such. I mean, one can do their best to appear professional in how they behave but have amateur training. If that makes sense. |
I really think you hit the nail on the head. I've known many performers who techincally fall under the "amateur" status but conduct themselves as cosumate professionals. Conversely I've worked with MANY "professionals" that act like complete and total amateurs. Horrible rehearsal habits...terrible back stage conduct...bad attitudes...the works.
So yes I do believe there are definately different definations to the terms. |
I've never worked in professional theatre. I've done theatre on the level of grade school, middle school, high school, junior college, and community theatre. So I am definitely an amateur by the definition of a non-professional actor.
That being said, I've gotten compliments from directors about how "professional" I am. After performing in Snoopy, my director gave me a thank you card. In it, she wrote (and I quote): "I've been so impressed with your organization & air of professionalism - from the very beginning." I think her card (in its entirety) was one of the highest compliments I've received from a director, which is why I still have it and know exactly where it's at five months later. I learned several things in this production, both things you should do and things you shouldn't. I think a few of them would fit well here.
-Don't try to hide things when auditioning! We had about four or five weeks of rehearsals. We have our first couple of rehearsals, and suddenly Charlie Brown and Woodstock (siblings) inform our director that they forgot to put their vacation down as a conflict. They then left the next day and missed two weeks of rehearsal. Yes, you might not get the part this time. But you won't lose the director's respect, and you won't have to work with a director who's upset with you.
-Bring EVERYTHING with you to rehearsal! Unless otherwise told, always bring your script, score, and schedule with you. You never know when you'll have a note you need to write down in your script or score, or when your director will make a schedule change. Better safe than sorry. Plus, if you need anything to wear while rehearsing (i.e. dance shoes, character shoes, etc), BRING IT TO REHEARSAL! Don't expect the director or choreographer or anyone to make exceptions for you because you don't have your shoes with you.
-Be ready to start rehearsal at the scheduled time. Meaning: don't show up at the scheduled time and expect to be given time to do what you need to get ready. For "Snoopy", we had cast members coming in late, cast members coming in with their dinner and expecting to have time to eat it before starting, etc. The director got really annoyed by this, and it made the actors doing it look bad.
-Turn your phone off! You can go a few hours without talking on the phone or texting. This should go without saying for performances, but is an often ignored rule for rehearsals. Don't turn it on vibrate, turn it off! I've seen very few things annoy a director more than when an actor misses a cue because they are backstage texting.
I could go on for hours with "signs of the amateur", but I'll end by saying that one thing I often don't do (which most directors seem to consider amateurish) is practice at home. I've managed to at least appear that I've practiced (or at least I've not had directors get on to me for this yet), but honestly the only thing I will consistently practice at home is choreography. (Otherwise I'd have to be removed from all dance numbers on account of not being able to keep up.) A couple days before I have to be off-book I will go over my lines until I know them. Other than that, if I don't get called out for something in rehearsal I don't tend to work on it much outside of rehearsal. This is something I'd like to work on for future shows. |
Brilliant post!
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| ConverseSneaker Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Total posts: 2683 Location: A Dull Provincal Town Primary role: Performer Current obsession: Gypsy, Godspell, College Research, |
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1. Not coming to practices. In Fiddler on the Roof, Tzietel would come to maybe 2/5 practices a week and it was for the stupidest reasons, like going to the tanning booth.
2. The "Look at ME! I'm so talented!". DON'T. I don't give a **** how you think you can sing or do a pirourette, if you can stand still when the director tells you to, then odds are, you won't get to show me how you can do that.
3. Unprepared...My last show was going to do a preview performance live for a crowd and everyone was supposed to wear black...one girl showed up in a YELLOW sweatshirt and nothing to change into.
4. Being unhappy. Sure, you don't get the role you wanted, aren't in that scene or singing that solo, but suck it up! This isn't preschool where you can go running to the teacher to complain that Andy stole your crayon. But no cast member or director wants to work with someone sticking thier bottom lip out. If you didn't want to be in this production, you shouldn't have accepted your part, or even better, audition at all. Because a month before show, you know what you will end up doing? Dropping out, leaving them frantic to fill one more spot.
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