#3WW - Hold Your Face Like This So I May Slap It

Today in 3WW (Three Word Wednesday) I wrote in my usual genre: lifewriting. I have been aching and feeling exceptionally vulnerable since we started working on the film/play HamletMachine earlier this week. Here’s the thing with acting – for me, it isn’t pretending as much as it is to allowing my history to merge with the character’s story, so it is visceral and deep at moments as this one.

Thankfully since I am working on the film portion of the production, once we shoot this scene, I don’t have to do it over and over again. Last night Michelle, the assistant director said, “How did that feel?” and I responded, “It felt like $&@+!… and I know that is exactly how it is supposed to feel if it is going to work.”

Without any more rambling, here I go being vulnerable again.

The words I am to weave into my writing, which is at the heart of Three Word Wednesday:

 

Modify – Obedient - Veil

I wasn’t expecting each moment of eye contact to feel like another blistering slap across my face. I averted my eyes, looked down, modified what I was doing so the pain wouldn’t be so transparent.

 

I know this was supposedly acting, but somehow in a microsecond, the veil between acting and reality tore and I felt exposed, an old version of myself, stunned and shamed into being obedient, into being whatever he wanted me to be rather than being myself.

 

I wasn’t expecting each moment of eye contact to feel like another blistering slap across my face.

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Comments

[Anthony North]

Often such an approach is the best form of acting. But it can take over.
Great words.

[Andy Sewina]

Phew, that sounds painful!

[Just Someone]

Nice! that's some great acting there...

[lilibeth]

Ouch! Very powerful paragraph here. One can sense exactly what's going on.

[Stan Ski]

That's getting into character full on.

[Angel]

Love the imagery and feeling in this piece.

[Nara Malone]

The last line really brought home the sense of repeated slaps. Powerful.

[susan]

Tight. The sting is potent. Doesn't feel like acting.

[Dee]

I hope it is cathartic for you, though it seems some things never completely go away. It seems like such a sad thing though, to relive those emotions again and again.

[b]

I do not act so I have no idea what that would feel like...but you must be very very good.
b

[Thomma Lyn]

Wow, amazing and powerful piece. Acting can be more like becoming.

[Zouxzoux]

I've never tried acting but I love this line:
"the veil between acting and reality tore and I felt exposed"

Enjoyed this very much!

[organicsyes]

Veil...that has soooo much rich meaning...

[Tumblewords]

Sometimes, it appears that there's a fine line between acting and reality. Nicely lined.

[one more believer]

it is as if speaking had wings giving place to the unspoken...

[Tim Remo]

Ouch! That’s dedication to the arts ;0)

-Tim
My 3ww:
http://timremp.blogspot.com/2010/03/misunderstood.html#comments

[Americanising Desi]

great words and expression :)

[Julie Jordan Scott]

For those of you who are checking back after commenting before, it was a surreal experience when we shot these scenes. Both only took two takes and the final take hovered in the surreal zone. I can hardly remember it... I couldn't describe exactly what took place but everyone involved in the shoot was completely happy with it. Me? It has taken a couple days to feel my way back into normal.