The DistantPlay Project

             Gandhara Independent Film Festival (GIFF) has recently announced their call for entries for their next virtual festival edition. GIFF 2021 is expecting to receive a volume of film submissions where unique stories from around the world will be chosen as official selections.        GIFF, a non-profit platform that aims to create a dynamic community for independent filmmakers in Pakistan and around the globe, has started showcasing selections of quality short films in 2020.         Also an advocate of mental health, GIFF has been regularly programming to spread awareness on this topic through their website www.gandharafilmfestival.com . Early this year, GIFF Founder Kamran Naseem, curated a mental health-themed program that includes "Munnu" by Shayhaq Balouch from Pakistan; "New Moon" by Neeraj Joshi from India; "Flamework" by Zoltán Krasznay from Hungary; "Muted" by David Nguyen from Canada; "Refu...

(Photo by Oleg Ivanov, unsplash.com) 1. Singing Even if you're not a singer it doesn't mean you won't enjoy singing. And besides the entertainment, you'd be able to exercise your breathing and vocal muscles which is great especially if you are doing stage. Try singing before leaving for an audition, it helps to have some movement in your vocal chords and jaw and lessen chances of stuttering or mumbling your lines. Choose songs from musical plays to improve diction. You may also experiment tying a character or role to a song and see how it will help you feel an emotion. (See techniques on how to cry on cue.)   (Photo by Soundtrap, unsplash.com) 2. Playing Musical A Instrument Take your singing to the next  level by learning a musical instrument. Music requires a different kind of discipline. It develops your ability to listen and improves your sense of timing. And it's a bonus when you stumble on a role that requires playing the instrument you studied.  ...

  Need to self-tape or record an audition video at home or you need to memorize lines but you don't have someone to throw lines with?  (Photo by Cristina Zaragoza, unsplash.com) No problem. There are a number of apps available to do the job. But let me walk you through Run Lines developed by Broken Shotgun L.L.C. It's available for free via Google Play and the interface is simple and easy to navigate. Once you've downloaded the app, run it to take you to the home screen where you can choose the plus (+) sign at the lower right corner and start writing your script, or you can click on the three dots at the upper right corner to import a script.  If you choose to input the script manually, the app will prompt you to add the scenes and the actors' names then write each line individually. But if you choose to import a script, Run Lines will automatically break it down into scenes and characters. All you need to do is go to a scene and click on...

    First, let me tell you that crying on cue is somehow a myth and some actors even find it ridiculous because we don't have press buttons for crying. It is not that simple. There are people who can easily cry and there are people who can't. And if you can, that does not guarantee that you're already a good actor. What will make a performance gain recognition is not the ability to cry but rather the honesty of the emotion.  (Photo by Aliyah Jamous, unsplash.com) Don't fuss about how to train your tear glands, put your time into studying the character instead. Focus on the character's goal, his/her needs and wants and memories he/she have based on what is written in the script. And sometimes you may also need to come up with memories that are not mentioned in the script but can support the scenes the character is in. (See a quick script analysis guide.) So instead of learning how to cry on cue, let's talk about practical approaches that can help ...

         A year after going full-time in acting, a practice that I find really helpful was keeping a notebook dedicated to my acting work. I call it my acting journal where I list schedules, methods I plan to use during scenes, script analysis etc. And when I update my resume usually around July or August, it's easier for me to list and select works to include in it. (Photo by Marcos Paolo Prado, unsplash.com) So what do I write in my acting journal? Auditions. Once I book an audition, I write down the project name, date, venue, contact information and any specific instructions given. Then I write down things I need to prepare for the role I will be auditioning for such as character goals,  if I need to write a monologue or if I need to breakdown a script that was sent in advance. (More tips on what to do during auditions.) Acting Jobs. When I book a gig, I write down the important dates like rehearsals, workshops, meetings and shooting schedules. I also ta...

You submitted your setcard to a caster and you received an audition script in your email asking you to send back an audition video. In other countries they refer to this as self-tape.   "Wait?! They mean I need to record my own video?"  Yes, and hey there's no need to panic. Casters know you're not a professional camera operator but here's a few tips to make your audition video look good. (Photo by Lucas Clarysse, unsplash.com) Choosing a space at home. Look for the best area to shoot in your home where you can be comfortable and avoid distractions. Check the space if it is quiet enough by doing a test recording on the device you are using. Make sure that your voice will not be overlapped by sounds coming from outside such as traffic noises. Also consider finding a plain wall for your background. Shooting near a window can also help in achieving good lighting. Lighting. You can use the natural light from a window by shooting in the morning to make sure the light c...

  Take note of the time you are asked to come in. If you are scheduled at a specific time, make sure you arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before it. This gives you time to relax and prepare yourself. If the caster mentioned a time range, let's say 9:00 am to 2:00 pm; be in the venue at the earliest possible time for you. For most actors, they prefer to be in the first 10 auditionees since casting can also  be tiresome for the selecting panel. (Photo by Ross Snedon, unsplash.com) Always carry a print of your headshot or set card in case someone asks for it. (Learn to make a setcard and headshot here.) Wear plain colored clothes. You may dress for the role you are auditioning for but do not take this literally. For example, if it is a doctor's role, you may opt to wear a light-colored long-sleeve button-down shirt and slacks. Bring a tumbler or bottled water, a pen, make-up for a quick touch-up, breath spray/mint candy.  Relax by doing a quick breathing exercise. Inh...