Michael Spurgeon > Recent Status Updates

Dennis is like me fr. Only I’d never let me bestie bitch me around like that.

Chapter 12: Three Entrances

Should really be called three steps. I haven’t tried this yet. Another piece of the puzzle. Think I’ll give this another read when I book some play or something.

But yeh. Having a before, present, and objective is really good for me. Then I’m not stuck anywhere, I’m just going forward.

Chapter 11: The Object Exercises
I tried this one before. Or I really haven’t gotten to actually sit down and pursue someyhing like this. I already have source material to work on and scenes to improve.
But this idea of an acting “score” is interesting. I attempted this for my last play and it didn’t really get me anywhere. It actually froze me up.

It’s a little weird when the narrator talks about his little sister growing boobs but I guess he’s a teenager so eh?

Stephen King writes in a way that makes me feel like I’m there. I admire this kind of writing. Though horror is not my genre and I’d like to find this kind of style elsewhere. Enjoying the book so far tho

Stephen King has a way of writing musically. It’s very nice. Especially early shit. Like Carrie

It’s Sam Shepard. Pretty weird right now but we’ll see

Chapter 8: Walking and Talking
Having an action in each moment is important. Like one that has an ending which I am actively tying to reach. Like today, at the boils. My goal was what? If I have a goal, then I can at least work backwards from there.
Chapter 9: Improvisations
Just need to flex the improv muscle a lot more. It’s an important tool bruh

Such a rewarding read. A few pages left but I feel something with this book.

Chapter 7: Thinking

I remember being so excited about this chapter. So the process of building “inner objects” involves an intimate relationship with the circumstances. In order for them to move in on me, they’ve got to be particular and substituted. Let’s try it.

“A wash of violent color, pink and streaks of brilliant orange, the container ships on the horizon suspended between the blaze of the sky and the water aflame, the seascape bleeding into confused visions of Station Eleven, its extravagant sunsets and its indigo sea.”

Jesus.

Okay so far. Interestingly paced. Like the world and I really want to watch the show when I’m done reading it.

Chapter 6: The Five Senses
Need to focus on what I’m feeling in a particular moment. Journaling it and just keeping it near me will allow me to examine it for better understanding. Used to skip over this chapter or skim to apply it purely to the acting.

This book is not about acting. It’s about how to approach the craft like an artist.

Chapter 4: Emotional Memory

Recenter focus on where the emotion comes from. If I can’t find it, recall the objects that live in the memory and find one that is sustainable enough to continuously work with.

I like the direction of this. Multiple narratives. Arthur seems like a really important character

Chapter 3. Substitution

I’ve been kinda doing this already. I remember being befuddled when I first read it. Did this technique with Meisner some years ago and it really worked for me.

Chapter I - Concept
Chapter II - Identity

Rereading this book for the fourth time. Starting to understand identity a bit more. It’s less self-inflicted, and more curiosity of human behavior itself. (Also, focusing on one thing is better on stage. So I’ve gotta do more homework so I don’t have to think so much while I’m acting. I hate thinking and acting.)

So far so good. Classic so I gotta slow down and chew it. Looking at summaries to make sure I’m reading right.

Missed some stuff in those earlier years when I read it. Need to keep reading to actually finish it

Good so far

Youthful. I feel all the ills of being a kid here. How the world fights against you, how awful it is to be wronged from an adult. It’s good writing lowkey

Hightower is really lonely. Didn’t realize it until now. He scolded Byron but loved his company. Interesting.

Didn’t catch the themes of angry faith until now. Christmas’ whole despair was rooted from faith, all of the men were giants who held bibles and followed the whispers of god no matter what. It’s very interesting how much they attempted to beat the will of god into him and instead forced out the devil.