Nick Scoggin — SAG, AFTRA, AEA

An Actor's Process

2008-11-18T12:01:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine recently asked me to explain the actor's process to him. This is a deceptively simple question.

Because all human beings are unique, every actor has a uniquely personal process. Few actors can or are willing to actually explain what they do. Some study various methods, develop a language of their own, understood by actors and unintelligible to someone who lacks the experiences that the language is designed to describe and explain. The same is true of any science or craft such as carpentry, or art, or mathematics.

But acting isn't rocket science or carpentry. It is a human endeavor to make sense of human life and, since we are all human, surely it is possible to understand and explain what it is a human does when he or she "acts"?

Most people are aware that actors prepare for a role by doing something, but that something may not be immediately obvious. To someone who experiences theatre or film as an audience member, often it is invisible and internal and is only recognized when the "actor" is suddenly "different": behaves in an unexpected manner, or speaks in a different voice, or becomes someone or does something other than "normal".

It may be easier to understand an actor's preparation if we analyze the nature of acting in its simplest elements. When an actor is performing, we see his or her physical expression of a character or role. The body and voice of the actor are part of the physical "instrument" and constitute one element of performance. So an actor's preparation must have a "physical" component. The character is "embodied" by the actor. How the body and voice are adapted to the demands of a role is physical preparation.

Some actors find this transformation internally. Because they understand the nature of the character's life, his age, history, social arena, and environment, they make choices physically to express those things and make the character believable in the given circumstances of the scenes. They search their database of experience and choose those elements of the role that are expressed physically and, to the extent that they are able to adapt their physical instrument, adopt the physical mannerisms and vocal qualities of the character.

Other actors find this transformation externally: they wear the clothes, shoes, hats that the character wears and these externals affect the movement and carriage of the character. We can understand both of these approaches because we all do this in our daily lives. We intuitively understand that we must wear certain "costumes" to operate socially. We also know that the nature of the wardrobe will affect the way we carry ourselves and our range of motion, even our voice is affected by the change. Try doing carpentry in a three-piece suit, or swimming in armor. Try dancing in the wrong shoes. Or hiking in high heels.

So we all have an experience of an actor's physical preparation if we understand how we prepare physically for our own "roles" in life. Actors just know how to extend this into areas they normally do not experience.

Actors also take into account the physical nature of the area in which the scene occurs and adapt their physical expression to the demands of the theatrical environment. It requires a different physical expression for film than for stage. Different levels of expression are required in order to be seen and heard according to the "theatre of operations". We can understand this when we think about how we speak and behave in a library as opposed to a machine shop or a church. For an actor on stage or film, the lighting and sound are physical considerations that must be met in order for the audience to see and hear what is happening to the best advantage. Stage actors must find the light, film actors must hit their marks.

The other elements of the actor's process can be classified as mental preparation, emotional preparation, and intuitive or experiential preparation. I will expand on all of these in later essays.

If you have an interest in these matters, I should let you know that at present I am, in concert with Imaginative Productions and Shari Carlson Studio, preparing a seminar and a book to assist actors and laymen in the elemental approach to individual creativity. I will not discuss the nature of the seminars or the book here, but would prefer to discuss the actor's process in more general terms. Also, I prefer to make this more subjectively about my personal approach to preparation, while the seminars and book will be oriented more towards a general approach for a wider audience. I can tell you that the seminars and book will give a detailed process for accessing the subjective and unique creativity of every one who investigates it. There will be more information regarding these matters in upcoming essays. Please send any questions you may have to this site and I will try to answer them here or privately.

I will post again soon. Hopefully once a week, maybe more. Check back soon.

"Fenceline"

2008-09-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have just finished shooting "Fenceline".
I was cast as "Ayden",the lead role, an old cowboy in modern day America, who finds himself caught between the past and the emerging future.
The film is now in post-production and we expect to have a rough cut by end of October. We plan to be offering it for consideration to festivals early next year.
If you are interested in following it's progress, the website is:
www.FencelineMovie.com.
It is a beautifully shot little story of the destruction of our history and heritage by the contemporary economy and it's effect on the people who are struggling to preserve what little is left of it. It is character driven and was perfectly casted, with superb performances by everyone. The locations were epic and as true to the genre as any great cowboy film I can recall. The music is original, written and performed by people who are undergoing the very thing the movie is about.
Everyone involved in this production believes in its importance and poured their hearts into it and I cannot but believe that it will be evident in the final product.
I hope you will follow our progress and come to see it when it plays in a festival near you.
I will update progress on the film here as I get news.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the opening.
Visit my person website at
www.nickscoggin.com
415.816.2823

Update post-writers' strike

2008-03-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

The strike is over and things have picked up some. In the past three weeks, i auditioned for a national commercial, a low budget SAG movie, and just this morning, a small independent project.
It has been so long since the last commercial audition, i can't remember it. I didn't book the job, but at least I was in the running.
I got a call from my agent, Mary Tonry of Tonry Talent, checking my availability later this month for the low budget film "Tenderloin".
If you're looking for an agent, talk to Mary and Tom.
The indie project is still in process, but I'm hopeful. I'll keep you posted here
LA is still the goal and keeping afloat in the coming recession will determine when the right time will be to take it by storm. .
Stay tuned for further updates and breaking news as it occurs right here. Until the papparazzi find me, this is the exclusive source of info on your humble servant,
N.
Visit my person website at

www.nickscoggin.com
415.816.2823

Projects

2008-02-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

As an actor, I have always enjoyed the variety of people and activities that are associated with this art. Today I got to practice aikido with my friend, Andre and then spent the afternoon working with Kurtis Matthews on his Comedy Addiction Tour material.
From punch to punch line, so to speak, a thoroughly good day.
If you get a chance to catch the Comedy Addiction Tour, do so. Details are online at the San Francisco Comedy College website.
Also, check Shari Carlson Studio for our Compass seminar dates and details.
I also wanted to remind all my actor and artist friends who have expressed an interest in aikido to check out classes at City Aikido. It is always open to the public to watch or participate.
Aikido draws people from all walks of life and appeals to many artists; a good reason for an actor to go.
I have trained in aikido since I was a child and have always appreciated how directly the elements of this art
support my efforts as an actor and creative artist.
I hope you will drop in and talk to the people there. Try to catch a class taught by Sensei Nadeau some evening. Even if you have no interest in practicing, it is a fascinating form of movement to watch done live.
Enjoy.
Visit my person website at

www.nickscoggin.com

415.816.2823

LA and beyond

2008-02-12T16:38:00.001-08:00

Good news! I am now able to file this blog from anywhere I happen to be.

Thanks to the miracle of modern technology and the unceasing efforts of Shari Carlson, A.C.E.,( Acting Coach Extra-ordinary), and Joel Riggs, Techno-Maestro, I will be able to give my fans a regular report on the glamorous World of Film and a behind-the-scenes look at the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the working actor.

Much has happened recently. I spent three days in L.A. checking out the town and attending Shari's class while there. The writers' strike is now potentially resolving, but S.A.G. may go on strike in July and the town was not wildly active at the time I was there.

I need to thank Damarra Reilly, working actor of many years experience in Hollywood, for all of her assistance and advice on how to approach living and pursuing my career there, as well as providing a place to stay for the duration of my visit. And thanks to Russell Watts for the company and the ride to and from L.A. And to Dan Belzer, musician and song-writer, for his hospitality and assistance getting around while there. One thing I know: no one succeeds in this business alone. I am most grateful for the people who have made this effort both possible and pleasurable, or at least as painless as possible.

Also, I should mention here that Shari Carlson Studio is presenting the first in a series of seminars on the "Compass", a tool for actors and creative individuals, on Friday, March 7th from 7to10pm, at her studio in San Francisco. If you missed the first seminar on the "Compass", this is your chance to get an introduction to a wonderful new technique for organizing, accessing, and enhancing your creative forces. See Shari's website for info on this and other up-coming events.

Stay tuned for further updates and insights into the secret life of the working actor.

Till then, keep the dream alive...

N

Visit my personal website at

www.nickscoggin.com

415.816.2823

Pilgrim's Progress

2007-11-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

I have discovered that my computer will not access this site due to age and a bad attitude. It probably learned this from me. So, I'm writing this from the Sausalito Library computer. The news to date is this: due to the Writer's Guild Strike, LA is "dead" at present. My plans are to take a short reconnaissance patrol for 3 or 4 days early in December with Jasper to talk to people in the areas we are interested in living (Venice Beach, Marina Del Rey) and check on prices in the neighborhoods. Then, go in 2008 for a long-range stay (mostly to be determined by available funds and the possibility of work outside film: teaching martial arts, security work, and other fields to be discovered.

I want to thank all the people who have been so generous with their assistance in accomplishing this move. First, Shari Carlson and all the creative people in her studio for their enthusiasm and support. Especially Shari for her unwavering commitment and belief in this dream, as well as her gracious hosting of this site.

I need to thank Joel Riggs for his management of NickScoggin.com and his genius as a webmaster. I am thankful for this patronage and a place to keep in touch with all of my supporters in the Bay Area.

I am particularly grateful to Robert Nadeau Sensei for taking me into the City Aikido family and teaching me what I have sought in this art since childhood. My debt to him and the founder of Aikido will always inform my life inside and outside the dojo. I feel honored to be in the company of a truly masterful sensei and great human being. And I cannot overlook his wife, Katia, who has been supportive of me as if I were one of her family. Thank you.

I should also remind people of the upcoming Weapons Takeaway Seminar on Dec. 2, two weeks from now. Open to the public if you would like to see a good show. Go to City Aikido website for more info. Thank you, Sensei.

My thanks to Frank Pryor for his unrelenting aid in all things photographic and his patience with this dinosaur from another age, and for his friendship. And all the myriad people in dojo and studio too numerous to mention at this time.

My time is running out, so stay tuned. There will be more, hopefully daily from here on.

I love you all.

Party in San Francisco

2007-11-11T18:00:00.001-08:00

Frank and Amy had a few folks over this evening to send me off to Hell-A.

Monday, November 5th, 2007

2007-11-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

I am making plans for a journey to L.A. What the hell was I thinking? The writers strike seemed looming, but our contract says we must work, so I am ready to work.

NickScoggin.com

2007-10-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

For more, see www.NickScoggin.com.

Who is Nick Scoggin?

2007-10-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

He is on a long-range reconnaissance patrol through the heart of the jungle of human longing. He is the artist who burns his works in the dark of the moon and talks to the fire. He will die alone, destitute, and insane in the back room of a flophouse brothel in Winnemucca, Nevada. He can, in a language you understand only as a child, answer the question you are truly asking...