Unscripted Insights: The Essence of Acting

I once believed acting was simple, reserved for those with visual appeal. This misconception was dismantled when I joined Kru Rom’s Free Lucid Body Acting class. I learned that true acting is rooted in empathy and compassion. Motivated to improve my EQ, I pursued the Intensive Acting class upon Kru Rom’s suggestion, documenting my discoveries here.

The course took place in a cozy studio in Asoke, where twelve of us gathered in a space conducive to intimate learning. As an intensive program, it was packed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We began with an Introduction, Ice Breaker, and Zip Zap Zop, focusing on team building and accountability. A simple mistake by one meant repercussions for all. In acting, a mistake means the entire production must start anew. On the other hand, we also touched on the subject of establishing one’s boundaries — a concept not widely emphasized in Thai culture. This is refreshing and crucial for fostering mutual respect, especially in the tension-filled moments of acting. The first part of our class highlighted the importance of collective responsibility and open communication, instilling industry best practices for a deeper exploration of our craft.

In the second segment, we worked to sharpen our sensory skills — a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of our art. We began by focusing on an imaginary dot on a wall, moving expressively in response to the colors we “saw”. This exercise aimed to invoke emotional memory, where each color triggers specific memories, imaginations, and feelings. We then engaged all five senses in the orange-eating exercise. Alternating between a real and an imaginary orange highlighted the gaps in my imagination — details like handling a sticky orange or discarding the seeds brought my imagination to life. Lastly, the power of eye contact in the last exercise revealed our emotional sensitivity and its infectious nature, capable of transmitting an actor’s unspoken feelings, especially in close-up shots. These sensory practices unveil the depth of imagination and sensitivity required to truly embody a character, while highlighting that actors have their own unique way to sensitize as a means to get into such character.

The climax of our day involved actual acting exercises, from Charades to improvisation challenges that forced me out of my comfort zone. In Charades, we often rushed our performances for the guesses, while neglecting to present a complete narrative. Clear and compelling acts are those that depict a story with the 5Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. In our improvisation exercise, we partnered up to explore the 4Ws, improvising the “What” as the scene unfolded. The rule was to never say no and must play along. This was particularly challenging, as unpredictability and the internal fear of breaking character, or “corpsing,” were ever-present. Despite bursting into laughter, these moments taught me the importance of playing along with my mistakes — letting my body experience them fully allows me to move forward. I realized it was my own judgment, fearing I would be a terrible actor, that held me back.

Reflecting on these experiences, I’ve grown to appreciate the paradox of acting — it’s a journey of transforming into someone else while delving deeper into one’s own self. It’s about surrendering to the process without judgment and embracing one’s depths. Acting is not merely pretending to be someone else; it’s an art form dedicated to understanding and expressing the human condition.