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-- By Faith Hibbs-Clark, CD 25+ years, Creator of the Acting Science Method™


Happy Valentine’s Day to my incredible acting fam! 🌹 Today, we’re skipping the chocolates, roses, and candlelit dinners (unless craft services is stepping up their game) to focus on something way more important—self-love. 💕


Why? Because this industry will throw you curveballs, criticisms, and callbacks you don’t land. 😩 But the secret sauce to thriving isn’t just talent—it’s taking care of YOU.✨ Science even backs it up—practicing self-love reduces stress and boosts resilience, which means fewer meltdowns and more magic on set. 🌟 Take it from the stars—self-love is the real star of the show!


Viola Davis

Viola Davis emphasizes that self-love comes from focusing on inner worth rather than external validation. “Validation is not the goal. Being your most authentic self is,” she once said. Davis advocates journaling and reflecting on her achievements as a way to counter self-doubt and break free from the need to please everyone. Her approach has helped her take bold, authentic roles that align with her values, showing how believing in your worth leads to career-defining choices.


Hugh Jackman credits mindfulness practices for helping him stay grounded. “Meditation has taught me to accept myself, flaws and all,” he explains. With a career full of intense, high-pressure roles, Jackman makes time daily for meditation to quiet the critical voice in his head and foster self-compassion. His advice to actors? “Give yourself permission to be a work in progress.”


Emma Stone

Emma Stone has been open about her struggles with anxiety and how self-love helped her stay steady. Echoing the advice I used to give her in training sessions, she says, “I’ve learned to treat myself the way I’d treat my best friend.”  Stone practices this philosophy by being kinder to herself amid career ups and downs, allowing for mistakes, and using affirmations. For her, self-acceptance is the key to staying creative and vulnerable on screen.


Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves advocates for connecting with your passions as a form of self-love. Known for his humility despite worldwide fame, Reeves says, “I focus on doing what I love, not what others expect of me.” This attitude has led him to select roles and projects that resonate with his personal interests. Reeves reminds actors to keep sight of what fuels their passion and to give themselves the respect they deserve.


And don’t forget, this industry makes us feel A LOT—joy, heartbreak, awkward silences when your improv partner forgets their cue. 💀 But when you treat yourself with some compassion, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving. 🌟


This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to something GOOD. Maybe it’s a solo coffee date ☕, 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep (yes, please 😴), or a cheesy rom-com marathon where you’re cheering for the lead because SPOILER—you’re the lead of your own story. 💥


❤️ Call to Action for My Actors ❤️

Today, give yourself the kind of love you give to the characters you play. Protect your peace, honor your process, and remember—if life throws rejection your way, yell “NEXT!” and move on like the badass you are. Now, where’s my chocolate? 🍫🥰 Happy Valentine’s Day, you stars! Keep shining. ⭐


Show yourself some self-love with this Actors Action Club that is Ideal if you are on a budget or have a tight schedule. This club offers quality audution training from me, career planning, and a welcoming CMFA community to help you thrive in our Secret Chat Group. You will get practice and feedback from me and other in our group.


$19.99 a month gives you 🎥 Monthly Practice Script & Recorded Lesson Video 🎥 Monthly Mentor Magazine / Workbook 🎥 Private chat group access for networking and feedback 🎥 10% off all additional workshops


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Faith is a body language expert who specialized in deception detection before becoming a casting director and working in the film industry for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Communication Method for Actors, LLC & the creator of the Acting Science Method ™. www.cmfatraining.com 






-- By Faith Hibbs-Clark



Why Build an Audition Environment?

Creating a believable audition environment is one of the most powerful tools an actor can use to stand out in an audition - and it's more than just reciting lines. It's about transforming a scene into a compelling story that captures the decision-maker's attention. Using the CMFA Acting Science Method™ Audition Clock, actors can map out their audition space with precision and elevate their performance. Here is how to make it work for you.


A well-crafted audition environment isn’t just a nice touch—it’s essential. Here are five key reasons why it matters:


1️⃣ It Enhances Believability: By creating a rich, immersive story, you pull the viewer into the scene with you. This connection makes your audition unforgettable.


2️⃣ Boosts Neural coupling: Neural coupling aligns your brain’s emotions with that of the “receiver” (casting directors, directors, etc.). This synchrony helps them feel what you’re feeling, strengthening the emotional impact of your performance.


3️⃣ It Anchors You to the Scene: Avoid looking like an actor performing on a blank canvas. A mapped-out environment grounds you, making your performance feel rooted in a real story.


4️⃣ Reduces Distracting Darting Eyes: Actors often lose focus, and darting eyes can break the connection with the viewer. Defining your space creates intentionality, keeping your gaze steady and meaningful.


5️⃣ It Sets You Apart: Details make all the difference. Bringing your A-game to build a thoughtful, dynamic environment shows professionalism and makes you memorable to decision-makers.


The Power of the Audition Clock

My Audition Clock is a simple yet game-changing visual tool for establishing your scene. It uses the concept of a clock face to map out where people, key objects, and actions occur in your performance space.


  • Start at 12 o’clock by placing the camera directly in front of you.


  • Use conversational distance: Imagine your arm’s length as the range for natural interaction. Beyond this, adjust your gaze to reflect whether someone is closer (intimate distance) or farther away (social distance).


  • Position characters and objects carefully: For example, a key object should not be at eye-level as it risks being mistaken for another person. Instead, use intentional eye lines to clearly separate your focus points.


Key Skills to Master

  • Gaze Consistency: The “power of gaze” can make or break your audition. Your eye movement should communicate emotion, intention, and action while staying anchored to the mapped-out environment in the scene.


  • Detailing Your Space: Consider the environment. Are you inside or outside? Is it crowded? Where are the exits? Use these elements to infuse subtle but impactful realism into the scene.


Putting It into Practice

The Audition Clock lets actors rehearse and visualize precisely where characters, key objects, and actions should align in their scene. Whether it’s marking key focal points on paper or using a tablet to create a virtual map, this resource helps you stay consistent and polished. It’s this level of detail that sets professional actors apart.


By combining these techniques with tools like the Audition Clock, you can master the art of creating an audition environment. The result? A performance that doesn’t just meet expectations but leaves a lasting impression.


Final Thoughts

Success in auditions boils down to the details, and mastering your environment with the Audition Clock is one of many ways I teach you to elevate your auditions from competent to compelling.


By focusing on believability, neural coupling, and precision, you’ll not only capture the eyes of the decision-makers—you’ll stick in their minds.


Want to learn more about The Acting Science Method™? Sign up for my next Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive Workshop. If you are already trained in this method, you can take the Gaze for Actors 4-week workshop. Let the power of science, transform your art!






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Faith is a body language expert who specialized in deception detection before becoming a casting director and working in the film industry for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Communication Method for Actors, LLC & the creator of the Acting Science Method ™. www.cmfatraining.com 




What are the actors saying?




What is casting saying?



-- By Faith Hibbs-Clark - Casting Director, Creator & founder of the Acting Science Method.™


Mastering first impressions in auditions is crucial for actors. Discover how the Acting Science Method™ empowers you with techniques to captivate casting directors instantly, ensuring your performance stands out and secures more roles. Learn to harness the power of precise psychological cues and boost your audition success today.

Humans are herd animals and key to our survival is our relationship to the pack. Because of this, we are quick to judge someone the moment we meet them. It is part of our survival instinct. Despite the discomfort associated with the topic and the potential political incorrectness of the statement, auditions essentially serve as a natural setting for making judgements. In my Acting Science Method™, I call this the JUDGEMENT ENVIRONMENT. It is not only going to happen, it is expected to happen. Knowing this as an actor, means you can prepare for it. Here is what to remember...


Tip #1 - You have to start strong!


Making a strong first impression is vital as it sets the tone for your audition. This entails not just physical preparation but also mental and emotional readiness. Take a moment to center yourself before entering the room, reminding yourself of your character's motivations and intentions. Confidence is key - even if you're not feeling 100% sure, projecting confidence is crucial to convince casting directors and directors that you're the right fit for the role.


As an actor, you don't have time to warm up or save your best for last. You will be judged within seconds.

The Acting Science Method™ is famous for creating easy-to-master formulas and other scientific techniques to enhance your performances. This includes our "opening formulas" that tie together key psychological elements to activate key reactions in the viewer. Using these formulas and techniques can help you get the attention of the casting director and book more roles.


Add Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive Workshop to your to-do list now!


Tip #2 - Remember the 8-10 Second Rule!


Interestingly, in everyday encounters, people typically take a mere 3-4 seconds to size you up. Or is it 30 seconds? Maybe 20? How about two or three? Forget what you have heard before! Not to overwhelm you, especially if you're gearing up for an audition, or a blind date, but recent studies suggest that you need to be on point in 1/10 of a second! Wow!


Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander conducted a series of experiments highlighting that it only takes a tenth of a second to shape an impression of a stranger based on their face.


To simplify this for you as an actor, I am going to default to my own research on the subject. Back in 2009, I tracked every audition at our busy casting office. As you may recall, auditions were mostly in person, taped, and uploaded to a casting platform site for the director to watch and review. I tracked how long each audition video was watched before the director clicked out of the audition. I observed that auditions were watch for an average of 8-10 seconds. This meant that auditions that were watched longer than 8-10 seconds, tended to get more callbacks and bookings. Why? Because, you got and held the director's attention.


If you have every heard of the 8-10 Second Audition Rule, it came from this research.

Tip #3 - Don't get in your head!


It's easy to dwell on your performance or the casting director's thoughts or reactions to it, but remaining focused in the moment is key. To respond authentically and make necessary adjustments, remember that auditions involve collaboration with the director, not just a performance for them. It's crucial to be prepared - practice your lines, understand your character emotions, and familiarize yourself with project details. Conducting research on the production and grasping its context can enhance your performance. Stay receptive to direction as directors might have specific visions that differ from yours. Approach the audition process with an open mind and willingness to experiment. Above all, be yourself - infuse the room with your unique personality and energy. Avoid imitating others or delivering lines inauthentically.


It is not so much WHAT you have to do to get the casting director's attention but WHEN! After that, you can think about the "what" part! -- Faith Hibbs-Clark


Your next steps ...


If you liked what you just read and want to learn more, sign up now for a private or class with me to learn more. I can even help you prep your next audition. Remember, the free stuff online is going to help you, but the gold is in the paid content. Discover the gold!


Add Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive Workshop to your to-do list now!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Faith Hibbs-Clark creator of the Acting Science Method™, a modern science-based film acting method that gets results!
Faith Hibbs-Clark creator of the Acting Science Method™, a modern science-based film acting method that gets results!

Faith is a body language expert who specialized in deception detection before becoming a casting director and working in the film industry for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Communication Method for Actors, LLC & the creator of the Acting Science Method ™. www.actingscience.com


© 2019- This information is protected by copyright and trademark law. Reproduction, teaching, or imitation in any form is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Communication Method for Actors, LLC.






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