They say acting is about action and reaction. However my reaction to the above statement after undergoing the fabulous course in acting for 3 months under Ratan Thakore Grant is that it is not so simple. There are a myriad things to co-ordinate as you emote before an audience or in front of the camera ranging from voice modulation and projection to body language to facial expression all simultaneously with a dash of the actor’s magic. And Ratan was the Magician who held us spell bound for a quarter of the year mentoring us through the finer aspects of acting like natural acting, losing nervousness by hiding behind the character and how not to end as a caricature. We all tried to touch the soul of the various characters we portrayed in the numerous improvisations and three scripted enactments. I learnt many voice improvement and breathing techniques, stagecraft guidelines and understood the technical mistakes actors make on stage. The blindfolded and puppeteering exercises enhanced our intuition while acting, especially with regard to co-actors. I found out that pantomime and mimicry is not my comfort zone hence aspire to better it.

One of my main predicaments was how to remember my lines while performing…and I found the solution here…that is remember with purpose. I also learnt to overcome my voice associated obstacles and others too…one of them being stiff body language. And overcome I did with not just Ratan’s help alone but also through members of the advanced acting workshop and my batch too. My profuse thanks to Ratan and all at Misfit. I hope to be associated with Misfit for a very long time indeed.

Priya

WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY, COMES GREAT POWER

I had the good fortune of leading Saurabh blindfolded on the night of 12th March, 2007. He was as usual a bundle of energy, even after being denied one of his senses. In contrast all my senses were on high alert to be sensible to Saurabh’s sensibilities. I later had the double fortune of leading Piyush who kept both Saurabh and me in good humour.

The exercise was given to us by our dear drama teacher, Ratan and each one of us – the blindfolded and those leading the former became aware of many things which are of consequence to the actor in us. What were my insights? I think I was turned on my head with respect to the maturity I gained with this exercise, firstly as a human being and then as an actor.

It was lovely watching the reaction of the shoppers around Safina Plaza when I led the blindfolded. This is where the maturity angle comes because no one questioned negatively of what we were doing. They watched us with great intent. The salespersons at the nearby Adidas store even thanked us. People do have a good sense of humour and my humour quotient was upped, watching the reactions of the blindfolded and the people watching the blindfolded. Now I don’t take life too seriously and am with peace at Cyrus Broacha’s antics displayed in MTV Bakra.

Leading Saurabh and Piyush, I felt responsible and alert throughout. My concentration on them did not waver for a second. That is vital for acting. I plan to use this aspect when I act – that is being oblivious to those watching me act and concentrate fully on my act.

I also felt that Saurabh and Piyush were at my mercy because I had to dictate to them about what they could touch, taste, smell and even hear. In short, I felt powerful. At the same time there was a deep sense of protectiveness towards them. There was the bond of trust developed between us. This led to great bonding with them opening up to me. They felt the need to talk and I felt the need to listen for reassurance. Hence there was increased sensitivity to verbal and non-verbal communication between us. Yes, even non-verbal because I touched to guide them. In fact if I left Saurabh and went away he would quite often turn in my direction – therefore I felt his sixth sense had been activated manifold.

Quite some time into the activity I felt a sense of challenge to give them more and more difficult options to identify and also I sensed an urge in them trying to better their identification skills.

A wonderful exercise indeed !!!

Priya