024 NegotEmotion Marcel Simoneau Interview

00:00:00: Hi hi, today's guest is someone very special to me.

00:00:04: Not only as an artist but a human being.

00:00:08: Marcel Simonot isn't accomplished actor or dedicated teacher and above all deeply present and generous soul.

00:00:16: I had the privilege of learning from him during my time at Least Trustberg Theater & Film Institute in New York A place known worldwide for shaping actors through powerful approach on method acting.

00:00:29: Masselle doesn't just teach acting, he creates space.

00:00:33: Space for authenticity and vulnerability For truth.

00:00:38: He's also a father And you can feel how much she cares about growth Not only in his students but life itself.

00:00:47: His son is already following the footsteps of acting with the same spirit.

00:00:53: Massele has appeared on TV in The Blacklist Gatham Unbreakable Kimi Schmidt Fringe, Law & Order and others.

00:01:01: And he also has done extensive voiceover work in commercials like Budweiser.

00:01:07: He's a great singer!

00:01:09: The name of his project is Potterfield.

00:01:11: for me what was fascinating Is how close method acting is to resilience training To emotional regulation into inner balance because In both worlds the question is the same How do we stay real?

00:01:28: under pressure.

00:01:29: Today we explore exactly that.

00:01:31: welcome Marcel, nice to have you here!

00:01:34: Oh so great to be here.

00:01:36: thank you for the beautiful intro.

00:01:37: it's so thoughtful and touching.

00:01:39: Thank You yeah

00:01:40: your welcome.

00:01:41: So let's start before we dive into method acting.

00:01:47: who are you today as a human being beyond acting?

00:01:51: Ask Who Am I Today As A Human Being?

00:01:53: That is very good question.

00:01:55: i mean im a father I'm an actor.

00:01:58: I am also a Canadian, French-Canadian that's been in New York for like...I guess twenty five years?

00:02:05: I've been longer here than there!

00:02:06: I'm still Canadian but also American.

00:02:09: But um..i am someone thats curious and i try to....I don't know you brought up these nice qualities about me And im like oh this is nice but i guess Im the oldest of nine kids.

00:02:21: so theres element on my that has older brother mentality, which comes into my teaching.

00:02:26: Which also comes in to with my son I guess.

00:02:29: so all-in-all i'm an actor that writes and directs and creates stories...I like do music..and then I also teach ...and play basketball or soccer ..with my son is a lot of what I do during the day.

00:02:43: Yes!

00:02:43: That's much !

00:02:43: And I played also basketball.

00:02:45: I was basketball referee.

00:02:47: Oh nice

00:02:48: yes many American people are.

00:02:52: They have much discipline.

00:02:55: Because every time I did a call, they say yes sir!

00:03:00: And the German people were angry and told me that i'm wrong.

00:03:05: The American people just said yes sir thank you... ...and played their game and won.

00:03:13: It's great sport.

00:03:16: Yes there are many myths about method acting.

00:03:21: Yes.

00:03:22: How would you explain it?

00:03:23: in a simple and an honest way?

00:03:26: It's simple, but on this way there is lot of misconceptions that its easy name to kind throw under the bust.

00:03:32: You know I mean alot people like oh thats method But alot times Its not because it has a name.

00:03:39: There are Meisner, Adler, Gortowski, theres lots different techniques.

00:03:43: Methods get more negative press even though also gets the most I think positive press too, but method acting to me is really at the beginning of searching through your past and your experiences in present.

00:03:59: And through incidents and people and things through your senses like you're five senses You explore and to see how you really feel about these events who you are?

00:04:11: What your point-of-view.

00:04:12: so when you do this exercises a develops concentration be allows you to feel and then allows it to express.

00:04:20: And then, to see more truthfully how you feel about these things so that you have better ingredients to cook up a story with.

00:04:27: So... It's very personal!

00:04:31: But really what is diving into your subconscious and bringing in true feelings for the surface than use those true feelings to tell a story?

00:04:39: Okay let us see What?

00:04:41: Yeah..it's difficult.

00:04:44: What is happening internally when someone truly acts in method acting?

00:04:50: Oh,

00:04:50: and you're truly a method.

00:04:51: A lot of it is training!

00:04:52: I mean the big part of it... You are exploring allowing your body to do that.

00:04:56: so you go into the gym To allow your body explore, concentrate & feel.

00:05:02: So then you can tell this story because The more you do what becomes ingrained in your instrument This technique become.. When first cook a recipe you really look at the recipe.

00:05:11: Do you know what I mean?

00:05:12: But later, you just... You know that meal so you just cook it.

00:05:15: So there's an element of the method.

00:05:16: part is good for training but then when actually put in practice some of this already they're a lot at times like for example we start off doing scene where their son and breaking up with your partner might do object to.

00:05:32: your partner remember those feelings than he remembered his son.

00:05:36: someone may puts on stage actor who don't now and it's cold, that its freezing.

00:05:41: And there is no sun.

00:05:42: you can feel those feelings again and express them.

00:05:46: more importantly because we've experienced before.

00:05:49: obviously theres understanding things of experience beforehand but then we add empathy in an imagination.

00:05:56: so thats a lot to explain kind of diluted one second.

00:06:01: But the way to explore this like cause.

00:06:03: theres alot different exercises but alot times just putting yourself into situation your self you know, and then to see what YOU need to do TO YOU to match the behavior of the character.

00:06:15: You know?

00:06:16: Like sometimes I'll be teaching someone that they will be like oh i would never DO THAT!

00:06:20: I'm like okay good... What do you NEED to do to YOU to do

00:06:24: that?!

00:06:24: Meaning WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN THE SCENE!

00:06:27: so it's a lot of the method.

00:06:29: stuff is searching in yourself to see what you or your response would be and then where you need to add that.

00:06:34: So maybe, Your character needs to be more angry...so You might add some things In your life That make you angry like either A person Or song Or place Or weather condition And Some Things.

00:06:46: Okay, that starts stirring up.

00:06:48: I use cooking a lot as an analogy.

00:06:50: so method is finding ingredients.

00:06:52: So then you can cook more authentic recipes?

00:06:55: If there's a scene you need to tell someone not nice words You might remember moment like oh yeah That person.

00:07:01: and then you explore that person And then ah it's easier To release those words because i'm telling that person something As opposed of this actor I just met thirty minutes ago Does make sense?

00:07:10: Yes makes sense.

00:07:12: Method acting seems deeply connected to emotional awareness.

00:07:17: Where's the line?

00:07:18: But where is the line between using emotions and you always have to learn to use emotions, being overwhelmed by

00:07:27: them?".

00:07:28: That's a good question!

00:07:31: Part of training is knowing okay... ...where the character starts and where you finish.

00:07:37: Do you know what I mean?

00:07:39: Sometimes there's a little bit of gray area, but because you're doing a relaxation and your allowing yourself to go that place.

00:07:45: And your body knows... That you are acting!

00:07:49: You have to hit the mark or say lines that way cause the camera is there like certain technicalities.. You want to lose yourself To be able feel it real.

00:08:00: It IS in that moment.

00:08:03: But if light falls from this guy then we will move out.

00:08:07: This is a small percentage of.

00:08:08: you're aiming for one hundred percent, but there's also some percentage if the nose and your body has allowing itself to feel fully because it knows that.

00:08:17: You can get a cup of coffee right after like this an element where in research you can stir up real emotions.

00:08:25: yes they might be therapeutic I should call my uncle like he might discover somethings in his own life as any job in art form.

00:08:34: But there is you start I think personally.

00:08:37: You have to go over the line To know where the line is.

00:08:41: so sometimes when you're exploring at home and your rehearsing Okay, I want to go up to here.

00:08:45: So then what I'd go to set?

00:08:47: I go to their end.

00:08:48: There's no, you know, I know when I'm acting And I know one that I don't.

00:08:52: that's for me, you.

00:08:53: now What's personal?

00:08:54: it was for the public if that makes sense Mm-hmm.

00:08:56: but through rehearsal and trying it If you find with that without line is free when it's different for everyone and they might also change.

00:09:03: You know in the run of a play you might decide like I don't want to use that anymore.

00:09:06: Wanted to use something else or it might Do.

00:09:09: no, I did a play for year and a half And there was one thing I was using sensorily and It started not working as much.

00:09:15: so i had To put more salt and recook That little section then than The next night?

00:09:20: Was okay.

00:09:21: So its Like step by Step two get an imbalance between Between Two think Something and to feel Something.

00:09:31: yeah

00:09:32: step-by-step, little by little.

00:09:34: Yeah it's an exercise of breathing and relaxing and being in the presence like kind of meditation.

00:09:40: but meditation you want to let go how you feel?

00:09:44: And relaxation with the method specifically...you wanna embrace how you feeling see how YOU FEEL TODAY!

00:09:50: Okay I sound like this today..and then you go searching for things that are gonna make you happy or angry y'know....for lack a bit better than be able use that for the scene.

00:10:02: And obviously there's physical adjustments and all that kind of stuff, but you remember these tools...these ingredients that you have.

00:10:10: I think about it as a supermarket You know?

00:10:12: You go into your super market-of life Of what makes you you and discover things about yourself like abandonment and justice loss whatever those thing might be to use them if you practice or rehearse well and under pressure from a student film to a Broadway show, or big network TV shows because there's other relaxation in things involved.

00:10:37: Your ingredients need very specific then be able say the lines they give you that day.

00:10:44: So it sounds really abstract And is at the beginning But over years becomes simple.

00:10:54: You simplify what allows your body to do because a lot of it is training and just figuring out this technique.

00:11:00: But once you're doing, what's the story?

00:11:03: Who am I talking about?

00:11:04: What does my character want?

00:11:05: What are my physical

00:11:06: adjustments?".

00:11:06: And then... You kind.

00:11:08: go for that.

00:11:08: Just try!

00:11:09: Then see if there was too much or not too mean.

00:11:12: That's

00:11:12: right!!

00:11:12: And when you feel like your taste is good ...you run with that.

00:11:17: I use cooking a lot as an analogy.

00:11:20: Yes i understand how you have to get a good focus.

00:11:26: Oh, yes.

00:11:26: Not

00:11:27: relax too much but have empathy and learn to have empathy because not everyone feels... But not every one has empathy!

00:11:40: What kind of empathy do you have?

00:11:44: In a scale zero-to ten?

00:11:46: or how do you learned to have more empathy?

00:11:50: To be more reflected in this situation

00:11:53: I think as an actor, you need like zero to ten.

00:11:56: You'd be like fifteen giving me a lot of empathy because sometimes you play characters that are not nice.

00:12:02: do you know what i mean?

00:12:03: Like you play...I played someone in August who was this tough guy from the Bronx and I had to kill twelve people in this series.

00:12:11: so it's how do I put myself on the side with character?

00:12:15: So you have to empathize Because acting is understanding Empathy and then imagination.

00:12:22: So you can understand things like I understand loss so my grandfather's sick, so i can do the scene to be like hey are you okay?

00:12:30: Like because I understand what that feeling is...I could imagine something happening to my son!

00:12:34: And it's really easy for me because that scene of truth was very strong for me.

00:12:40: but an empathy as a harder one..to really put yourself in someone else shoes.

00:12:46: It's really difficult You know, like you might and that's just something I think as an actor.

00:12:50: You have to have Because not just because of these characters that are despicable necessarily but just you have to see Like why would my character do that?

00:12:59: Where they coming from?

00:13:00: where are they going?

00:13:02: what do They want?

00:13:03: so it really is a psychology too.

00:13:04: It then really understanding human behavior to them be able To express it sometimes more expressively than maybe was in life cuz art is more expressive the life.

00:13:15: So we can really understand and feel or question, or take in that story.

00:13:21: So I think at fifteen zero to ten you need like empathy because...I mean to me the focus of concentration obviously is important but empathy for me it's really important so we can understand human behavior cause.

00:13:37: then you could understand this story.

00:13:38: our job is feeling one thing.

00:13:40: acting its important cause helps us tell a story More important and I find it.

00:13:46: empathy is useful for both Mm-hmm,

00:13:50: and its very deep.

00:13:51: in Germany the last time we spoke about Method acting.

00:13:57: It was as Heath Ledger died

00:14:00: a

00:14:01: Few years ago but in this time method acting was big in Germany because Heath Ledgers did also use this tool.

00:14:13: That was not such a good situation.

00:14:18: to speak about method acting.

00:14:20: Yeah, it's tricky because I don't know exactly what he was working on... ...I know that he immersed himself in the role and did an excellent job but there are things like some times people... Like i dont'know what his personal life is..i really have no idea.

00:14:36: But sometimes you can immerse yourself into part normal, like I've read Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky.

00:14:45: And I was a little darker when I was reading this book just reading it as you know because your immersing yourself in that part.

00:14:53: if you're playing Hamlet every night You are going through this deep question Every night.

00:14:59: but i do find they come and mask sometimes on really dramatic film.

00:15:07: there's lot of joking around to balance But there's a lot of stuff with method acting.

00:15:13: Like for example, people were like, went to Nero for taxi driver.

00:15:15: everyone was like he drove a cab for like a month To do the research or what it's like?

00:15:19: I read this yes

00:15:21: Yeah and Everyone is like oh that so method And its'like.

00:15:24: That not method!

00:15:24: Thats just research You would normally should Do that.

00:15:28: Or Daniel DeLewis when He Was doing Lincoln People...he wanted people to call him Lincoln And he Would still talk in The Voice.

00:15:36: So But that's just someone keeping their accent.

00:15:39: Like if I'm doing a guy, it is talking like this and might want to keep the accent for the whole run because i wanna make sure don't lose the accent.

00:15:46: so its not me fully staying method in characters Just me keeping the accents cause he you know being Lincoln but still talking on an iPhone I mean, it's like so he is breaking character.

00:16:00: He just keeping the voice.

00:16:01: So there's a lot of things sometimes that the method is Exaggerated I find because it's very specific technique where you go into your past and you bring these things.

00:16:08: Sometimes you do stay in character little bit but some times It's just a physical adjustment or A mind-setting thing since because people liked they're losing themselves And their parts and stuff like that.

00:16:18: They are on The moment and we see That scene with the sound effects and all that kind of stuff.

00:16:22: said looks Like a different person than it isn't at moment.

00:16:26: But They go back to a trailer and they take off their makeup.

00:16:29: And then get in the car, dry it like they do with McDonald's or what?

00:16:33: Like doing normal stuff maybe not McDonalds but you know what I mean... Yeah!

00:16:38: It is all about balance.

00:16:40: No there are definitely parts where you can immerse yourself into part.

00:16:44: sometimes if i'm playing at that particular dark part of New Jersey on location I wanted just be my zone.

00:16:55: those four days my son went with his mother, do you know what I mean?

00:16:59: Because i wanted to just be in my space.

00:17:01: To do these things...to focus and to- to be able to focus into concentrate more..and stay a little bit more in that edgy area.

00:17:09: but i went to restaurants and did some stuff like it wasn't walking around.

00:17:16: Exactly

00:17:17: yeah so You know But It is uh....I think part of this ...i always think there's Like in space movies, like there's always that little road where you go and then put on your spacesuit.

00:17:27: And then you go out there.

00:17:29: so I think of acting like that the relaxation method which you've experienced as getting to a chair.

00:17:34: You get into this safe place-to-play.

00:17:36: So for me sometimes it is costume Once i start putting on my boots Then when i get onto those places Where i have these associations That starts happening.

00:17:45: Now thats were we are going When i take off the costumes.

00:17:49: Then im back too me.

00:17:50: Its

00:17:51: like physical anchor.

00:17:53: Yeah, like that.

00:17:55: You wear the hat and then you are the other person?

00:17:59: Because it's a way to give yourself permission expressively or to focus on a certain time in your life for an aspect of yourself.

00:18:12: Like I'm very grumpy if i don't eat, do you know what I mean?

00:18:15: So obviously I'm not walking around like that all the time but if I just focus on that character and I'm just this guy it's just... That could be really interesting.

00:18:22: energy I have for a character.

00:18:24: Yes!

00:18:25: It is like identity shift.

00:18:27: Yeah If I wear my suit I am the lawyer.

00:18:31: yeah Okay, now we talk about the lawyer and that's why the next question maybe is a good one.

00:18:41: For the listeners if we transfer method acting into business or into negotiation I think you also have to negotiate many things.

00:18:53: what can leaders learn from it?

00:18:57: I think more specifically with come back to empathy.

00:19:00: There's like, where is your client coming from?

00:19:03: Do you know what do they really want.

00:19:05: Like I remember when we were doing our class there was a lot of people doing like their Ted Talks and different things And then someone asked him What he wants to buy the product.

00:19:13: But yeah but you can't say that You change...there are alot of different things To me.

00:19:19: i remembered with you guys it was who are you talking too?

00:19:24: So that, to me were three anchors.

00:19:26: That I modified for you guys class because we're not like crying and You know have an emotional memory too.

00:19:32: To sell something necessarily more depending on how much you need to sell it.

00:19:36: But there's another element of the where to means like i'm an expert in the field or?

00:19:40: Im an older brother with some advice Or im someone thats discovered a secret?

00:19:44: Like theres these kind of hats you can put On.

00:19:47: Okay this is my character.

00:19:49: Who your talking to was interesting.

00:19:51: Like if I talk to my sister, or I talked to her and my little sister like this.

00:19:54: If i talk to My boss... So it depends who you're talking too!

00:19:57: If I talk To my best friend, the Windex is a cleaning product here.

00:20:01: If Im just talking about Windex its blue.

00:20:03: It cleans stuff.

00:20:04: You see me trying to sell something.

00:20:06: But if im talking to my buddy and Im like Dude, Windex Its blue?

00:20:10: Really clean stuff!

00:20:11: Its more personal of Who Im talking to Since an exercise we call Personalization Or Substitution.

00:20:19: So WHO YOU ARE who you're talking to, and then what do you want?

00:20:23: You know because obviously you want them to buy the product.

00:20:25: but really if you go deeper...you want them trust you.

00:20:30: Do you wanna feel like it's investment banking or something that makes people feel safe?

00:20:35: this is most money they've ever spent on something.

00:20:37: so make them think hey I got ya.

00:20:40: don't worry there are an element of change your objective in business.

00:20:43: To me again i dont'know it would be cool.

00:20:46: you know, an older brother with advice or someone in the field are like I'm a guy that knows what's going on with pickup trucks.

00:20:52: You don't think there is any element of who can be and then who we're talking to?

00:20:56: And they would want.

00:20:57: but if he make it deeper objective about what THEY WOULD WANT by using empathy and thinking... If your selling them mortgage.. Or whatever transaction might be.... If put yourself into their shoes What do they

00:21:13: want??

00:21:15: No, I'm just thinking like because i do a lot of voiceovers and sometimes it'll be like you know It will be a Ford f- one fifty.

00:21:20: Like real American trucks You don't have to be that kind of guy.

00:21:22: so you want a guy.

00:21:23: That's not these trucks or the but...you Don't?

00:21:25: what someone talking down too?

00:21:26: Do you Want Someone that you can Have A beer with?

00:21:28: So there is an element Of who your Talking To Is to make them.

00:21:32: I am One of you guys.

00:21:34: There is An Element There.

00:21:35: Or If Your In Investment Banking Or Finan..or Mortgages And Stuff Like That I want someone I could trust.

00:21:41: I want somebody Who knows What they are doing.

00:21:42: thats Confident.

00:21:43: that makes me feel safe too.

00:21:45: But then if it's like a teenage thing, an axe deodorant or whatever... My son is almost a teenager and I was like you want to be cool!

00:21:53: You have these kind of things.

00:21:55: so depends on try to empathize with what the client wants.

00:21:59: make them feel like that.

00:22:01: let my know out of his trust i think.

00:22:04: So in Germany we say Parasprache.

00:22:09: How do we say something?

00:22:10: Not What We Say how we say it.

00:22:14: Yeah, so that would make a difference between life and death.

00:22:19: if you say let's eat dead or let's each dad

00:22:23: yeah

00:22:26: And in this situation It is cool because the question I didn't ask The question is acting about being someone else Or becoming more yourself.

00:22:39: I think, like what you said it's becoming more yourself.

00:22:47: Yes because when i first came here my friends from Canada were like don't you lose yourself?

00:22:51: No!

00:22:52: I feel that I know myself better.

00:22:54: so if its a scene where I need to experience loss... ...I have experienced the loss and remember that feeling.

00:23:00: So I know that feeling of myself.

00:23:03: Empathy same thing then imagination is the same you know, be mean to a bunch of people.

00:23:10: I would just imagine them being mean to my son and then i'll be mean too everyone in the movie because that means a lot to me.

00:23:17: so it's that part of myself that i'm bringing into the table obviously with an accent and a costume and all that stuff.

00:23:21: but there is uh-I find like you lean into parts of yourself.

00:23:26: Like if I imagine this scenario I'm gonna imagine something That means a Lot To Me like Something Positive or negative Happening to People that I really can't like your Sees Of Truth that you're imagining with a very strong T. So, use parts of yourself like me being hungry.

00:23:41: do you know what I mean?

00:23:41: That's ME being hungry obviously maybe with the space suit and some funny accent.

00:23:47: there is an element to it.

00:23:49: The core has to be personal.

00:23:52: It has to leave from YOU!

00:23:53: so if don't give something away You get more With new identity.

00:23:59: Yeah You lean into one aspect of yourself or a time in your life, an event.

00:24:05: Or something that you now can understand and recreate.

00:24:09: really

00:24:10: Yeah.

00:24:11: But what are practical ways to train emotional availability?

00:24:16: And presence?

00:24:17: The way I'm doing it... the program is like two-year program but sometimes we can access things faster where there's concentration obviously you know, like really relaxing allowing yourself to be focused on that specific thing.

00:24:32: So if you want to just do a simple exercise of talking to someone and make them trust you I would just imagine talking to my father or talking with my friend You know?

00:24:42: Like i use this example If I talk to my boss...I'll straighten up And then I will speak to him.

00:24:47: Make sure they feel everything is okay.

00:24:50: Make me feel safe and trusted.

00:24:52: I got this.

00:24:53: But if i talk to my sister, I'm gonna make sure she's okay and everything is okay because She's younger or whatever.

00:24:58: but it's interesting cause you can change those relationships Because I could talk to My boss like I talked To my sister then It's really condescending.

00:25:04: do You know what I mean?

00:25:07: So that's just an you try to see.

00:25:09: imagine This person in front of me That person not going to magically appear through these exercises for example a substitution where.

00:25:17: so you Just imagine the other Person there which kind of channels The way you speak to them because of the relationship.

00:25:24: You can then add what's called a personal animated object, which is touching and imagining that person there.

00:25:30: so if I touch like my mother's hand it makes me feel a certain way.

00:25:35: i've also trained for while i've been practicing.

00:25:37: So It's Easy For Me To Access These Things Because My Body Is Like Oh Yeah And It Allows Me To Express That.

00:25:44: In A Relaxed Fashion Like I Could Imagine The Scenario Of Something Tragedy Happening To My Son And Start Crying in Seven Seconds because, well that's my job but there is an element of it quickly just jumping in without doing training I guess.

00:25:59: That's the next interesting one for me like again i come back to who are you talking and what do you want?

00:26:05: And those were things in terms of exercise.

00:26:07: sometimes they could be imagining sunshine.

00:26:11: if imagine a certain sun on my face on my hand.

00:26:15: It becomes, it's called an overall sensation.

00:26:17: so I just imagine myself completely a sun.

00:26:20: that i know-I'm in this room but I'm imagining the Sun.

00:26:23: and for me... I talk fast.. I drink a lot of coffee My mind is always racing But if I do sunshine.... I slow down little bit And then my character becomes a little more warm and mellow.

00:26:36: you know kind of more relaxed.

00:26:38: So its just.

00:26:39: You know it was like

00:26:41: to take deep breath.

00:26:43: Yeah,

00:26:44: since you talk about the sunshine

00:26:46: as you imagine Sunshine it sounds silly but It's being specific like on all these different parts of your body a specifics under you experienced before and that becomes But physical change.

00:26:59: so you're holding onto.

00:27:00: It's like something I see is like something to believe in Like something to hold on too.

00:27:06: So you do feed what?

00:27:07: I call your actors faith Because if you believe it then I believe You know, if I'm really under the sun and i believe that I am there.

00:27:16: And it will start expressing itself when you'll be like why is Marcel so mellow today?

00:27:25: Yes!

00:27:26: It makes a difference in this situation... In real situations or business situations also good and stressful situations If you have much pressure maybe to think on the sunshine.

00:27:43: Yeah, take a deep breath calm down and then the situation is another situation than before And you are more chilled or something like that.

00:27:54: our music Is another one too?

00:27:55: Like music can really put you into a mood sometimes.

00:27:58: You could listen to music Or Before you go on stage or to your meeting of whatever it could be an empowering thing.

00:28:05: It can be relaxing.

00:28:07: so sometimes music listening to real music or sensorily, like imagining the song can also help you put your own specific mood.

00:28:16: Because I listen to old-like nineties hip hop and walk around thinking that i'm tougher than I am so it could give me a mood for this presentation Or something more calming Something more confidence building.

00:28:28: Before entering into my room...I had a film where I would do that.

00:28:31: It was Uptown and take train for half an hour every day And listened to this specific soundtrack all the way to the trance.

00:28:38: So when I got to set, i was in this kind of mood.

00:28:42: so you know it could be that...you can easily do that for anything.

00:28:45: rhythm

00:28:46: It's a somatic thing isn't?

00:28:47: Yeah

00:28:48: yeah That's really getting on some rhythm.

00:28:51: and then obviously memories and stuff are associated with music too.

00:28:55: that can help put you into specific mind frame.

00:28:58: Yeah, yeah.

00:28:59: When I'm speaker...I jump behind the backstage and some people have a little trampoline and they are jumping there or pump their fists that they have more energy ,more pressure in it and more enthousiasmos.

00:29:20: something like that.

00:29:22: It changes too!

00:29:23: I used to do Tai Chi, relaxation depends on parts.

00:29:27: Sometimes you just go do it because he's been doing for a while, but sometimes It's like okay.

00:29:30: This one is the more emotional scene I want to really focus.

00:29:33: Like.

00:29:33: i was working on law and order with this actress And she was on the stand.

00:29:36: She was the killer of the episode.

00:29:38: so You know that day?

00:29:40: She was with her headphones and she Was in his own and I didn't bother her cuz I knew The scenes she had to go due.

00:29:45: I'm our husband So I just have to be supportive In this scene.

00:29:49: so I knew That she was going To this place and I respected that space.

00:29:52: so everyone I think for every scene or every part of everything that you do, it can change a little bit this preparation depending on what you need once the lights are on.

00:30:02: You know?

00:30:03: What is teaching acting?

00:30:05: teach you about humans?

00:30:11: Sorry for your question!

00:30:15: It's an interesting thing because it really brings up to me in art forms like Is man good or evil?

00:30:21: Do you know what I mean, like it brings up to me is the first question.

00:30:23: I think about because you start thinking of Everyone's intentions.

00:30:27: Mm-hmm do no and then sometimes a lot of characters.

00:30:31: You know A lot of times someone that does something nice and good as a good person.

00:30:35: It's not as entertaining as say The penguin, you know Like there's we do focus a lot i think on behavior.

00:30:43: That's Not Us.

00:30:44: Do you Know What I Mean?

00:30:45: There's Not Ever A Lot Of Books About manic depressive disorder, schizophrenia like there's because those are the fun characters to play.

00:30:53: So you know keeping in mind that those are small proportions of the population.

00:30:58: but I guess what i learned really is...I think everyone wants to be seen and loved then heard and I think a lot of these things individually.

00:31:12: we don't know what people are actually all individually going through.

00:31:15: So, and to me it developed this empathy of where people were coming from.

00:31:19: in the moment you're like but then if you take a second to see where they're coming from You're like oh That makes sense that they would be grumpy like that.

00:31:27: Like I have someone in my life now She's an older woman who she's not a nice person But she just went through new surgery.

00:31:34: She just went thru This-she Just went trough All these things.

00:31:36: so It's like If you Take A Second I'd be worse.

00:31:40: I would be grumpier than she is, so for me it's deepened the psychology because i studied psychology too before whereas i guess to answer your question we're like where people are coming from and empathizing with them more that a lot of and be hugged, and understood.

00:32:03: And it's sometimes people take pride in their careers.

00:32:06: Sometimes they took pride in there looks.

00:32:08: Sometimes I think pride on the material possession.

00:32:11: Sometimes that big pride of their kids you know sick.

00:32:13: You start seeing what makes people who they are?

00:32:17: Mm-hmm.

00:32:18: so because he always tries an actor you want to come back down to the essence Of What The Super objective of the scene might Be.

00:32:25: In a lot of them is To be Understood to be seen and then you start getting into childhood trauma, why they want to show that they have money because they didn't young.

00:32:34: I guess it's deepened my experience of the human observation.

00:32:46: but hopefully, and I'm not saying i do this all the time.

00:32:51: Dude in a minute if someone does something to me on the street they bump into me and their grumpy...I see where you're coming from.

00:32:57: like no!

00:32:57: I'm gonna probably bump them back but I don't mean there's an element of it.

00:33:01: were.

00:33:02: sometimes if you have the time then the empathy that helps seeing more people are coming from.

00:33:11: So If You Teach Other People It's Always Yeah, a practice for you to reflect what you see and put it in your individual toolbox.

00:33:23: Oh yeah I learned a lot from teaching!

00:33:27: Like why people behave a certain way?

00:33:30: And then also helps my acting tremendously.

00:33:33: It's also very...I don't know because i do it..i dont fully full time because I'm busy with my own stuff, which i think helps me really appreciate it more.

00:33:45: Like I'm going to teach tonight and I'm excited you know like there's an element of...like there's a few people in class that are..you know this one needs to be pushed that way.

00:33:52: ,this one is opening up that way.

00:33:54: .This one is resisting and you start seeing but there's always every time I leave class ...I always leave inspired because there's something personal happening.

00:34:07: I learn a lot from the students, for sure.

00:34:10: So two more questions and... The first one is do you have one or two stories?

00:34:16: What were your toughest negotiation moments in the film industry?

00:34:24: Many!

00:34:26: Do you mean on a creative level or financial level or...?

00:34:30: On funny levels maybe.

00:34:34: What was wrong what good?

00:34:37: And what do you learn from it?

00:34:38: Because I think, um... It's a very-very hard business.

00:34:43: Yes!

00:34:43: and its' very difficult for most actors to difference between ''I am an actor''and ''I AM THE BUSINESS MAN THAT I CAN

00:34:56: ACT!''.

00:34:56: Yes.. You're very very correct and that is alot of things because sometimes your are artist but you're also running a business.

00:35:03: And I think that to me, and i tell students like... That's the crux of your career is balancing business and art because You could be the most amazing actor in the world.

00:35:12: But if no one has ever seen it who cares?

00:35:14: Do you know what I mean?

00:35:14: Like you have To Be..like I am an Amazing Singer In My Shower!

00:35:18: do you Know What I

00:35:19: Mean?!

00:35:19: But like you Have To Put It Out

00:35:21: There!!

00:35:21: You Have To Present

00:35:22: Yourself!!!

00:35:22: You Have Too.

00:35:24: You Know.

00:35:24: Sometimes....You Know I Think You've Got To Be Tasteful About It And Not Be Pushy.

00:35:28: But No One To.

00:35:29: There's a time to be modest and there is the time to present, you know.

00:35:33: But I think... I mean negotiation wise.

00:35:35: that's interesting because it's a lot like over-the-years are so many things have happened.

00:35:40: Like i've had some disagreements as long as we know.

00:35:45: We need tell this same story You know?I had one director who I won't mention but we got two...like..i was lead of the film when were together for seven weeks.

00:35:55: It was feature film.

00:35:58: It was tough and I was really not agreeing with one of the things he was saying.

00:36:02: And then uh, He was like say it like that.

00:36:05: Like while we were shooting.

00:36:06: i'm like no and like I've really pushed back which is unprofessional But I'd been working with them for five weeks.

00:36:12: We rehearsed four three.

00:36:13: We've been shooting like I was in a position.

00:36:15: where?

00:36:16: I'm Not you know an extra You know.

00:36:19: so I could voice more my opinion.

00:36:22: and then so I was looking at Cameron as I cut and he Was like you can't cut.

00:36:25: I was like i'm cutting right now like we would just began to this petty Argument.

00:36:28: and then what was interesting is we took a second.

00:36:32: We you know, we cut the camera.

00:36:33: Then him And I went to another room of this location and then we both really shared And taught as like i'm coming from this point of view He's like oh well said why am coming from?

00:36:44: This one of you when I say Oh You know so we really let it all out.

00:36:49: I think part of it Was releasing in securities because It's his movie and i'm the lead and were both feeling pressure.

00:36:54: I was twenty-two years old.

00:36:56: It's a lot for me to take in and i think it is his big first feature, like the money people were around that day.

00:37:01: so there are lots of things happening.

00:37:03: but what was beautiful about this talk?

00:37:08: we needed both share where you're coming from.

00:37:10: after that its smooth sailing.

00:37:13: We just need almost have little confrontational moment there.

00:37:18: So he saw how much I cared, and then made me care more than him.

00:37:23: after that every night we would drive home all the way back to Williamsburg.

00:37:30: That was like a forty minute half an hour sometimes because it's late at night.

00:37:33: Effective talk?

00:37:34: Yeah!

00:37:35: We did for the remainder of one month where we made the movie as there were drives home so they needed because of.

00:37:46: I saw where he was coming from, then i was like oh okay and your ego you know the story is what's more important.

00:37:54: And if we're both wanting to tell this better story than you are safe too...I always have a cinematographer in front my mind.

00:38:01: it's ok If I make silly suggestion Like To Have A Stupid Idea because he's going to take that idea.

00:38:07: He is not gonna be like, what?

00:38:09: And then you know... Oh no!

00:38:11: But if we.. oh so You need a safe place To make these stupid ideas So they can grow them into something better.

00:38:19: It was Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

00:38:20: They used to write together when did goodwill hunting and would talk about it.

00:38:24: I felt safe with him.

00:38:25: just do my stupid idea Because they knew there will have Something later When the ego gets involved or don't feel safe enough Try things Mm-hmm.

00:38:35: Yeah, so there's an element of that.

00:38:36: I don't know some branching off here But for me That was an interesting moment because after that we never like We were just him and I just were connected And it was.

00:38:45: that's happened a few times Like i find sometimes in negotiations?

00:38:49: I guess what I found as an actor Sometimes being the lead with the director to not have this conversation in front Of everyone.

00:38:56: yeah you negotiate The relationship

00:38:58: yes but You don't do it in front Everyone yeah, but you'd do It in private like I had another director, her and i went outside.

00:39:06: And we both smoked at the time when we had a cigarette together...and then after that everything was fine.

00:39:13: because if you have that discussion in front of the crew and all the other actors it's not as productive.

00:39:18: sometimes cause ego gets involved faster You know?

00:39:21: It is

00:39:22: social process to take a cigarette To smoke a cigarette.

00:39:26: Oh!

00:39:26: It's always a social process.

00:39:28: Yeah Do this Aufzug, an elevator.

00:39:34: Do this in the elevator with other people and begin to speak.

00:39:40: That's cruel but smoke a cigarette with them And they talk

00:39:45: about everything.

00:39:48: I guess that would be my advice like sometimes over years if you have those big discussions then your more willing to admit mistakes or be personal, will be real.

00:39:58: Or share where you're coming from as opposed to the social stage Where ego comes in and then it's not as productive by fun.

00:40:05: Yeah But sometimes I think You have to have a good Ego.

00:40:11: In Germany we have a sentence It is when einer pfeift unter andere kommt weiß ich wer der Hund ist.

00:40:17: i tried in English if someone whistles And another one comes, I know who's the dog.

00:40:27: Interesting!

00:40:29: So

00:40:30: do you are The Dog

00:40:32: or not?

00:40:34: Yes and yeah that's interesting

00:40:38: because everyone in a film set which is like any business office whatever world... Everyone needs to know where they stand.

00:40:46: in the pyramid there's an element of it without two dogs at the dog park, like who's that leader?

00:40:53: You know what I mean they.

00:40:54: once that role is settled then we can proceed and move on.

00:40:57: And it's an interesting thing because you might think your here and i think you're there... It's a very interesting dynamic in all schooling everything!

00:41:09: Yes you have to be fast to get it in balance again.

00:41:13: All about the balance between people.

00:41:20: And that's the difficult thing and why it is so important to be able to reflect.

00:41:26: Yeah, no I agree with you because sometimes they are like okay yeah i am this but what your job?

00:41:32: To find a balance between both.

00:41:34: maybe because of recent one You're underappreciated So we need more appreciation on these ones.

00:41:39: But hey!

00:41:40: Your role was actually in finding that balance Because do think you have to express the value than previous one.

00:41:50: Is it something to be done in the main meeting or is there some thing that you don't decide?

00:41:53: It's interesting.

00:41:53: Yeah, because I mean case-by-case scenario but balance your right.

00:41:56: i think its very much about That and as tough sometimes cuz feelings get involved so it's harder to balance.

00:42:06: So my last question for today If You had to give us Your top three exercises To improve presence And performance What would they?

00:42:18: Would They Be?

00:42:20: Follow this in us outside.

00:42:21: I definitely the first thing right off the bat to me would be relaxation.

00:42:25: Which is the relaxation?

00:42:27: There's an exercise that we it's the first think you do.

00:42:29: It's the most important thing too where your aware of your body You know, like you move your body and see okay I'm a little tense here because i went to the gym yesterday.

00:42:38: I am a little tensed here of something that is holding on emotionally so basically moving every single part.

00:42:45: slowly in checking your instrument my draws are a bit tense So allow your instruments to be relaxed.

00:42:55: it's easier said than done but really just breathing you know, like being in the moment and the presence feel that cold air coming into your nose.

00:43:03: The warm air coming out of your mouth... And telling yourself it's gonna be okay!

00:43:09: So relaxation to me would be number one.

00:43:11: they're really

00:43:12: taking a step back.

00:43:13: I love so much what you say.

00:43:15: check your instrument.

00:43:16: Yeah,

00:43:17: that's a great sentence because

00:43:18: it's an interesting thing if someone is twitching.

00:43:20: Do you know what I mean?

00:43:21: Like like...I remember in our class there was someone who his leg kept moving and he looked like a bull about to attack!

00:43:29: And do you realize your legs are doing this?

00:43:32: He wasn't aware of it.

00:43:33: so you're expressing certain character or role which isn't exactly what we want to express.

00:43:39: So making sure In control or aware, I should say of your instrument.

00:43:45: You know if i'm biting my lip like...I want to be like okay I shouldn't bite my lip in front of the CEO?

00:43:51: Like you should be aware of your instruments easier said than done but also once you're performing and you wanna make sure that you are still relaxing while during performance for meeting whatever.

00:44:02: so relaxation is a very important one.

00:44:06: uh..in terms it's interesting Like a Meisner exercise because I teach Meisener as well.

00:44:13: I'm trained in Meisners as well and Meisler has this exercise, which is just the listening and responding.

00:44:18: And so all it is like listen to me when actually It's interesting cuz there are a lot of exercises.

00:44:29: but like to me This is listening.

00:44:31: if i tell someone before you go to an audition The first thing i say is breathe Listen make a choice or Make A Choice Breathe and then listen.

00:44:43: So I come in with this odd, it's like...I think the parts are like this!

00:44:46: And they're like but then i breathe?

00:44:49: Then what if you did it like

00:44:50: that?!

00:44:51: Listen!!

00:44:52: You mean make another

00:44:54: choice??

00:44:55: and then listen.

00:44:58: So there's an element of like, so that relaxation would be... Like as an exercise method or anything could be relaxation.

00:45:04: Then the listening part to me which comes from Meisner is really important!

00:45:08: Right now I see you're smiling.

00:45:09: Now your leaning in head a little bit on this side And know i'm aware of what im looking at.

00:45:13: You say okay This isn't weird.

00:45:15: Im observing There's an elements of listening To other person Of what they are giving you Because i see it so much in any social too.

00:45:25: That's so cool, that you say.

00:45:26: and to the followers.

00:45:28: We didn't coordinate this interview but a few weeks ago I had an interview with Gary Nesner The former chief of the FBI crisis negotiation unit dealing with hostage situations And he told me... ...the most important thing is first be good listener.

00:45:53: That doesn't mean you have to agree with it, but if you listen to people they will appreciate as a friend.

00:46:01: They'll be more likely to work with you and that's the same!

00:46:06: You tell from the actor side...the actors' perspective on here in the hostage situation.

00:46:13: That is so interesting.

00:46:14: yeah I mean hostage situations.

00:46:15: yes well that would be fun part of play.

00:46:19: But there are an element where There's, yeah listening to me like even in business or an acting because acting to me is not acting.

00:46:27: Acting is reacting.

00:46:29: Do you know what I mean?

00:46:29: If i say if I love you and the other person says that they love you too You can't be like I love...you have to be like What do you...?

00:46:35: Like you really have to respond organically at this moment.

00:46:39: But think of it as a social thing.

00:46:42: We don't listen enough for society Because we get so excited about what were going next.

00:46:48: So I think if there's a lot of strength, and just breathing.

00:46:53: And then taking in what this other person needs What they want who are?

00:46:59: They tend to share or be more personal without telling you.

00:47:03: that can help them adjust and deepen the relationship with whatever your working on In terms of breathe.

00:47:11: listen This is for auditions but making choice or not being afraid of making a choice.

00:47:18: It's not so much an exercise, but that's something I would recommend and then like you know to get back to Strasbourg into method stuff.

00:47:26: there is this element... There's just an exercise called a personal animated object.

00:47:31: So imagine the person next to you.

00:47:34: You know if someone walks in through room it might change my behavior.

00:47:37: If i touch my mother's hands it makes me feel a certain way.

00:47:41: if I touch her face, i get really emotional.

00:47:43: If I touched my son's head it makes me feel like there are quick things obviously through training and stuff.

00:47:48: so that is a personal animated object.

00:47:51: or you could just be having an object which means alot to your body.

00:47:55: do not mean someone gives something but you can have the object in their pocket and make them more confident or whatever.

00:48:01: these tricks would definitely be breathing and relaxation.

00:48:10: But I like this idea of making a choice, bring something to the table.

00:48:15: Do you know what i mean?

00:48:15: Like...I always think about having pre-rehearsal not just be like.

00:48:18: so What are we working on today?

00:48:20: no hey We could work on it.

00:48:22: No okay but at least You came in with something and thought About It's like I call it Pre-Rehearse.

00:48:27: I guess those would Be my Three Things

00:48:29: For The Business Guys out There To Be Patient.

00:48:33: Take Your Time.

00:48:34: I Think You Set This Between The Lines Time.

00:48:40: yeah, cuz I think your objective is interesting doing business if I like.

00:48:43: I used to own a bar A few bars in Williamsburg and it would be like some people with some reps Like whiskey reps.

00:48:48: they were coming.

00:48:48: we have like four hundred whiskies.

00:48:49: It's big fun place.

00:48:51: So I could tell when someone was trying to sell me something And I didn't liked that.

00:48:56: Do you know what?

00:48:56: If Someone trusts Me like if They Were pushy.

00:48:59: if they're like no my boss.

00:49:00: but rather than Be honest With me and That's My Thing But i don't Know at Some.

00:49:04: if Someone Was like if I felt like Someone's Trying To trick me Then I would lose trust, but if someone was like hey dude.

00:49:10: I know you don't really sell wild turkey that much But it will really help me out If he could take two cases and i'll be like all right?

00:49:17: I'll take to cases Like there wasn't for me.

00:49:19: i'm not saying i'm everyone but For me maybe from an actor owning a bar standpoint.

00:49:24: There Was an element of just the reps That I kept were The ones that I felt Were honest And weren't trying To sell Me something.

00:49:34: We are in a position where I'm trying to sell you something, but at least they were honest about it or not.

00:49:41: trynna be like You know what would be cool?

00:49:43: Don't tell me.

00:49:45: There's an element that was interesting if i think of those kind relationships which is very much buy-or-sellers' positions.

00:49:52: So I don't know...I just tend go towards the people who listen.

00:49:57: Thankyou so much.

00:49:58: Thank you!

00:49:59: We

00:49:59: forgot one thing.

00:50:01: One last wish, I saw in blacklist that you are a French Canadian and... You didn't talk with your french accent.

00:50:08: so... Of Deutsch könnte ich auch etwas französisch sprechen mit einem deutsch-französischen accent, ja?

00:50:16: German or French accent.

00:50:17: That's

00:50:18: the German-French accent.

00:50:19: Yeah yeah but maybe..you can say goodbye to all our listeners With your great French accent.

00:50:27: I heard in the blacklist.

00:50:28: Yes, but the accent that was doing it is from France.

00:50:32: so a little bit more specific because i'm from the french part of Canada.

00:50:38: and then there's my father who speaks with a french-canadian accent which is different.

00:50:43: It's a little more french-Canadian, Quebecois But in France its just a different accent like British or maybe not broclin slightly different.

00:50:56: But I do a lot of those kind of voices, like I do voices for Emily in Paris and it's all the French accent like this.

00:51:04: so i wanted to thank you for having me today with these podcasts.

00:51:09: It was very interesting.

00:51:11: Yes now many people in Germany know you can watch your next movies And here is your great music!

00:51:19: Thank You.

00:51:21: Very deep voice as a singer.

00:51:24: It's very great, it sounds great and thank you so much for having me with me!

00:51:29: And I wish all the best in the world... Thank you sir!

00:51:34: Thank you very much!

00:51:35: All right have a good day.