Memorize Your Lines in 5 Easy Steps
Eventually, your brain will effortlessly recall the words
(By Jim Webb)
(Photo: Monstera | Pexels)
I can memorize lines in half the time it takes other actors to learn the same lines! Some of it may be my own natural ability. But I tend to think that my technique makes a big difference, too.
Here’s my personal method for memorizing my lines, in 5 easy steps. It works like a charm. It can do the same for you.
Step 1: Read the whole script
First things first: make sure you’ve read the whole script. The lines come a lot easier to you when you understand the general arc of the story and your character’s arc.
You need to have a basic understanding of the whole story and how your character fits into that story. Without it, you’re flying blindly.
Step 2: Don’t try to learn the lines (at first)
Don’t try to learn the lines at first. Yes, you heard that right! Don’t begin by trying to learn your lines.
Instead, evaluate the basic outline of each scene. Where is your character coming from before the scene? What is your character doing in the scene? Where is your character going after the scene is over?
Think of it as taking a bird’s eye view, before diving into the details.
Step 3: Make strong character choices
(Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels)
Make strong choices about how your character is going to behave at various moments in the scene. What are your character’s objectives? How should your character go about achieving those objectives?
Step 4: Run your lines while in character
Now that you have a basic understanding of the scene and your character’s objectives within that scene, you can begin to run the lines.
But, most importantly, make sure you run your lines IN CHARACTER!
But, most importantly, make sure you run your lines IN CHARACTER!
Just reading the lines out loud is not enough. Make the words come alive!
How fast can you learn a song if someone reads the lyrics to you? How much faster can you learn that same song, if someone sings the lyrics to you?
Reading the lines in character gives the lines their “music”.
Step 5: Repetition is everything
(Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)
You’ve gotta train your brain to connect one word to the next; one sentence to the next. You’ve gotta create the memory tracks for your brain.
The best way to do that is through repetition. Repeat the words over and over and over again, out loud and in character. Eventually, your brain will effortlessly recall the words.
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