Advice?!

2

I’m starting preparation for my self tape for Liverpool Insititute for Performing Arts and some advice would be really helpful, especially around monologues. Is it bad to chose one that’s a bit overdone?

Reply 1

LoisWrites

10

I don't know about LIPA's advice but I know that RCS advises staying away from ones that are overdone. Their thinking seems to be that even subconsciously you might be influenced by other performances that you've seen. I guess there's also the risk that they'll be comparing you to other professional performances that they've seen too.

Reply 2

LoisWrites

10

You could also ask on this thread

Official Drama Applicants Thread

There are posters on there who know more about LIPA.

Reply 3

ash.lma00

OP

2

Original post

by LoisWrites

I don't know about LIPA's advice but I know that RCS advises staying away from ones that are overdone. Their thinking seems to be that even subconsciously you might be influenced by other performances that you've seen. I guess there's also the risk that they'll be comparing you to other professional performances that they've seen too.

i was thinking that, but I wasn’t too sure. I’m going to meet with an acting coach soon so I’ll get a second opinion then. Thanks!

Reply 4

LoisWrites

10

Original post

by ash.lma00

i was thinking that, but I wasn’t too sure. I’m going to meet with an acting coach soon so I’ll get a second opinion then. Thanks!

Good luck with your choices and your self-tape!

Reply 5

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

18

Original post

by ash.lma00

I’m starting preparation for my self tape for Liverpool Insititute for Performing Arts and some advice would be really helpful, especially around monologues. Is it bad to chose one that’s a bit overdone?

hi ash!

I actually asked my housemates about this because they all go to LMA and have done loads of self tapes and auditions, including for places like LIPA. the main thing they said is that an overdone monologue isn’t automatically a bad choice, but it can be a bit risky if it doesn’t feel properly yours. tutors will have seen the same pieces loads of times, so they’re more focused on how you interpret it rather than the fact it’s well known.

they said it’s usually better to choose something you genuinely connect with and understand, even if it’s simpler or less dramatic. doing a straightforward monologue really truthfully often comes across much stronger than a big emotional one that doesn’t quite suit you. also make sure it fits your age range and feels natural, apparently that’s something they notice straight away.

for self tapes, they all mentioned keeping things really clean and simple, neutral background, good lighting, not too much movement, and treating it like you’re talking to a real person rather than performing to a camera. they also said LIPA care a lot about authenticity and potential, not perfection.

hope that helps and good luck with your self tape, you’ve got this 😁

Anthony
Student Rep

Reply 6

Liv125

9

Original post

by ash.lma00

I’m starting preparation for my self tape for Liverpool Insititute for Performing Arts and some advice would be really helpful, especially around monologues. Is it bad to chose one that’s a bit overdone?

Hiya, yeah there are definitely monologues that you shouldn't do! For example the ring monologue from twelfth night is very overdone. Don't worry too much about this, especially with Shakespeare as there's only so many Shakespeare monologues, you're never really going to find a good one no one else has found already!

Generally, just think about the following: Ethnicity of the character (Doesn't have to match your ethnicity per se, however if you are white playing an asian role this may be seen as problematic), Age of the character (Find your playing age, don't be 18 playing 42), and gender (this can be swapped, but apparently usually you should be able to strongly answer the question of why did you pick this male character if you are female, as there are loads of female monologues you could have chosen from instead.)

They should be monologues you like and connect with in some way - it's great if you can tell them clearly how you connect with the character!
Both monologues should be contrasting in some way, this could mean comedy and tragedy, or could mean the difference in stakes or character (I did a monologue with life/death stakes, and my other was unhappy with life circumstances, that contrast is also good) Just find your contrast, whatever that may be, and roll with it. Avoid monologues and characters that are just too similar.
This is all advice from my acting teacher, who works at a top drama school.

Are they doing the devised section again this year? If so, be as creative as you possibly can! Show your creativity and make sure to link your work to the stimulus - best to be clear with the link to the stimulus than leave them trying to figure out whether you genuinely used the stimulus to create your piece or not.

Best of luck with your audition!

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