Interview with Sarah Perry - Actors' Atelier

A lot of actors, especially those who only focus on method acting, don’t realize how important movement is to building a character. Unfortunately, this means they’re missing out on huge opportunities to create something unique and completely different from themselves. In this interview, I asked Sarah Perry, who will be here next month to teach actors how to use their bodies to incorporate a character fully, a few questions…

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1. How did you get your start as a movement coach?

It was really a process that evolved, I can’t precisely remember when it actually started. I have always been passionate about acting, movement and teaching and the three just naturally combined over the years. I had great teachers who inspired and encouraged me to teach, and fortunately I had people who were crazy enough to want to listen to me. I love to share and I love to learn and I love being part of a creative process. I’d like to think that my enthusiasm and passion for my craft gave me my start – the rest came from building contacts and working very hard at what I love to do.

2. You recently worked as a movement coach on Jupiter Ascending. Can you tell me how your experience on that film was different than some of the other jobs you had? What’s Channing Tatum really like (and is he as adorable in person as he is on the big screen)? 🙂

Yes, everyone was adorable! 😉 Ha Ha. As you can appreciate, I am contracted not to speak about the film until after its release, so it is hard to be specific. However, I was confronted with some exciting new challenges and the three months were definitely filled with lots of research, problem solving, creativity and fun! This was perhaps the biggest production that I have worked on to date, for that length of time. It was an amazing experience – can’t wait to see it – released July 2014!!

3. What are some of the most common problems you see among actors who haven’t had movement training?

I think the most common problem among actors who haven’t had any movement training is the fact that they don’t realise or think that they need any training. Its like with everything – until you delve into a topic orpractice, you don’t realise what you don’t know and what’s out there to help you in your chosen craft. In my opinion actors without movement training are often quite unaware of the power of their body as a tool. I see many actors often adopting cliche gestures and postures which are contrived as opposed to organic and free. You really do notice those actors who are aware of their body and free from tensions, habits and they are generally much more engaging to watch.

4. How does movement training help actors to incorporate their characters?

We all move differently, we all stand differently and behave in different ways, understanding the body and movement in more detail allows us to discover more readily these subtle and powerful differences – which may have been overlooked had one had no training or at least had the space to explore and discover. If a character has a certain illness or condition or are in a particular emotional state, it is great to consider the body in terms of this and how we can truthfully convey the appropriate storytelling through our physicality as well as intention and voice.

5. What are three things actors can take away with them after attending one of your workshops?

-Understanding yourself through your body is not only important, but liberating and fun!
-Have some tools which enable you to make some quick physical character decisions, especially when in a casting.
-To get a deeper understanding of what you may need to personally work on -if you want to continue on your movement journey.
-To understand that we are all different and the body tells a powerful story, understanding why we can’t move in a certain way is just as important as being able to move in a certain way.

Thank you, Sarah! Sarah’s 2 Day workshop is in October on the 19th and 20.

Actors' Atelier

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