Being in the Moment

Being in the Moment is the state of existence at any point in time, where your reactions aren’t preconceived. The emotions that are being portrayed are felt sincerely by the actor and the audience. In the moment the actor can feel, smell, taste, live, eat, breath, soak in the moment to such an extent that what is portrayed to the audience is natural and real. A response is given to events in those moments instead of reactions. This is truly being in the moment, and it is what every actor tries to accomplish when acting.

Being in the moment requires bravery from the actor. In life, we as humans feel comfortable when thinking about the future or the past. We find a sense of security when our actions are preconceived and thought out. Our mind naturally wanders out of the moment and into many other things, distracting a person or the actor from responding to the moment. In the moment means taking each second, minute, event as it comes, dealing with the now. The actor has to trust every impulse in every moment and fully commit to it.

In the American Journal of Psychoanalysis, Sharon Hymer states that “being in the moment heightens self awareness through observation and interpretation or results in temporary loss of self through experiences of flow”. This statement also applies to an actors pursuit in becoming a character and allowing every emotion to posses them to a point where there is a loss of self in the acting of the role. When an actor is in the moment action can flourish and authenticity and improv will come easily.

Now, I, as an actor must find within myself a place where I can achieve being in the moment. I have to feel emotions and memorize them, so that at any point in time, I can pull on it and use it. I have to be comfortable enough with my acting ability to take risks and to go places I have never gone before. I need to develop a sense of security while loosing my self in the moment.

In order for true acting to be portrayed, being in the moment should be one of the most important aspects. When an actor is in the moment, the environment will be created; an atmosphere of the chosen emotion will be clearly felt by the audience. Every thing will fall in place when there is a sincerity of the moment, and risks are taken and accomplished.

So cherish every moment in your life, memorize it, remember it, and note it, so true moments can be created. True responses to events will be given from the actor. When walking down the street, pull on the atmosphere that is felt, ask your self why, how, who. This will push us forward as actors and allow us to become be’ers.