For the actor…
Having trouble listening in a scene?…Pretend like you’re hitchhiking on a dark night on a desolate road. You’re thirsty and starving and your feet are aching from walking all day. Because no one offered to give you a lift. You’re exhausted.
A dirty semi-truck pulls over and the driver tells you to hop in. He’s friendly, but a little scary-looking too. Your instincts tell you not to get in, but you do so anyway. Because you’re so damn tired. You climb into the cab and start driving off.
How would you listen to the driver under these circumstances?
Now go put that back into your scene.
P.S. – This post was inspired by a post Vs. show conversation with John Hawkes. An exceptional actor and listener.
The Vs. Studio Blog 