This woman is just so inspiring, I'd die to train with her at Guildhall. I first saw this video a few years ago, and seriously guys, the last part of the speech truly signed me for life.
I resisted acting for a long time because I realised early on if you hold a mirror up to people they invariably shy away from their reflections and even take their pain out on the source. But what can make the road painful and isolating can also make it the most rewarding and truthful. I never regret my decision to go into theatre. I have never felt so free and authentic. It's like a thousand messages I was carrying can now find their way home.
This talk is so unbelievably powerful. I feel completely empowered as an actor and performer. The reminder is so beautiful and so fundamental. Thank you.
I’ve taken several workshops with Patsy specializing in the voice and Shakespeare,merging the two. I love her so much. She changed my life. Thank you Patsy ❤️
Yes, it i just stood out to me on the shelf in a book shop :). I recentley bought "The power of now" by Eckhart tolle, and both books combined are just amazing. The excercises and stories in Presence with the mentality and mindset (or lack of :)) of power of now are life transforming. Life is so much more enjoyable now, i'm so grateful for being blessed at such a young age :)
This is absolutely amazing. I am an actor and currently struggling with self-esteem and questions. This is so incredibly inspiring...and I think I have fallen even more in love with theatre because of it. :D
I did a production of Howard Barker's "Judith" at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego at the end of my graduate school years. Judith makes a sound after she kills Holofernes. And, the director, Matt August, wanted it to be a sound of deep guttural loss. I did what he asked. My mother came to see it and she was furious with me afterwards. She said, "No mother should ever have to hear her child make that sound!" That's why I do theatre.
She know's what she is talking about, and SO DO I. Thank-you. Life is hard and doubly so for an actor and it helps to hear such things. Esp. apx 6mins in....
I'm very inspired by this lady. I have always been interested in voice as well as the ability to truly be in the moment. I'm gonna get those books asap. Thanx for posting these video!!
Michael, I stumbled upon this video through Ted Talks; my search topic was psychology. 'Why I do Theatre' jumped out at me and walla, Patsy's presentation was very engaging to say the least. The motto of her speech is a necessary aspect of life, me thinks without feeling the compulsion of quoting this one or that. To be present to others is essential. An Actor is ideal in many respects, for with the warmth & depth of experience, they can model such behavior and remain authentic to their self. If it is within your reach and disposition, please give Patsy my regards... JY
Does anyone know where i can find more information on presence? I'm a musician and want to learn all i can =) im completely fascinated by it. Thanks in advance :)
As someone who has done both styles, I completely disagree. If you can do theatre, you can do film. There are differences, yes of course, but theatre lays the groundwork for good, solid technique. Why? Because in theatre, there are no retakes. The audience cannot stop the play if they are bored or tired. You have to be present onstage and keep them engaged, keep the energy going. That makes a great actor. If you don't believe me, a huge percentage of great film actors are trained in theatre.
A. Laurence But it wasn’t always the case. Compare the acting in the sword and sorcery film EXCALIBUR from 1981, with the much more naturalistic style of GAME OF THRONES. In EXCALIBUR, everyone, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne, are shouting their tits off, as if their trying to get their voices to the back of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford.
I have a big problem with theatre acting being taught in school. For some bizarre reason schools put all their attention into theatre acting, but they completely ignore acting for movies. At most high school and colleges it is like this. Why? It seems idiotic. Most people care about movies. Very often theatre houses struggle just to break even.
The thing is, theatre is the basic. Once you've learned the basics, you can try film acting. I love theatre, I love doing film as well. But I believe most actors feel most at home on the stage.
Alexander Gustavsson lol theatre acting is far from.basic.. theres so many stories of.film.actors.going.in.to.the theatre and failing.miserably. On the contrary a Theatre actor going.to.film.usually STANDS OUT by a ton.
Because people who act in theatres instead of gunning straight for movies aren't doing it for the money, nor for mass approval. "Most" people care for movies, but a great deal of people care for theatre too. And there are courses for film acting (of which movies are only a small subset) at higher levels, such as tertiary institutions and arts schools.
@Daphne Ong: But surely acting for movies should be made a bigger priority in public colleges and universities. If a person wants to learn more about film acting, they have to go to some very expensive private school. It seems really idiotic because the mass public cares way more about movies than theatre (most theatre houses struggle just to break even). Most actors want to act for movies, and the system is doing them a disservice.
@brendabn87 I think the older generation of British actors decry film acting, since film was seen among the educated classes as a "bit of a tart". (Remember that classic footage of a BBC interviewer accusing Richard Burton "depriving" UK theatre audiences of one of our best Shakespearean performers, and Elizabeth Taylor screaming at him "What a load of bloody rubbish!"?) Many young British actors I've worked with revere American film actors...
Theatre acting and film acting don't correlate. They are two completely different styles (because they are in two completely different settings). It's inaccurate to say Theatre acting is the beginning (and film acting is the next step) because they are almost two seperate genres. Acting for film needs to be a bigger priority in schools. Class spaces and resources should NOT be wasted on theatre acting - it should go to film acting instead.
Most actors you see on screen have a foundation in theatre. Whereas when actors who go from doing only film to doing theatre end up not even being able to remember their lines. (E.g. Bruce Willis on broadway having to have an ear piece and being fed his lines in the moment.) I would agree they're different, and require a different approach, but to say stage acting isn't a good foundation for film seems like a baseless assertion, again, given that I could name numerous actors who got their start on stage.
Theatre and film have some similarities, but are wildly different. Football and rugby have some similarities, but are wildly different. As in football and rugby, one is not the preparation for the other. To be good at one, is not to be good at the other. To be good at football- play football, intensely. Don't play rugby to help your football.
Her second story shows why theatre is a disgrace to the entertainment field and why less emphasis should be put on theatre. The ultimate goal for an acting production (whether it be film, theatre, ect) is to entertain. Her second story proves that theatre actors don't care about entertainment; they only care about stroking their own ego and giving "A Real Performance," as they put it. When a person pays money to see your show, they should be entertained, NOT made to feel miserable.
it's not a disgrace he felt pain because he could relate to her sorrow ,because he had experienced a similar one. But there are a lot of great theatre and films that are tragic who could forget titanic the ending is sad but its still a masterpiece. There are also a lot of comedic pieces of both films and theatre; If every film or theatre piece ended in a happy ending for everyone imagine how unrealistic or predictable it would be.
The issue with that comment is, it depends on the performance and the style of the performance what the audience 'should be made to feel'. If its a naturalistic style show then they should feel emotions strongly, if it's a sad play they should feel miserable, if a comedy then they should feel happy. When it's something like brecht then they audience should feel nothing, it all depends on the style of play
i was thinking about quitting acting. this is just what i needed to remind me why i love acting.
Keep going friend ❤❤❤
I can't explain how i feel right now. Such a powerful speech.
This woman is just so inspiring, I'd die to train with her at Guildhall. I first saw this video a few years ago, and seriously guys, the last part of the speech truly signed me for life.
She teaches online now. I am taking zoom lessons with her.
I resisted acting for a long time because I realised early on if you hold a mirror up to people they invariably shy away from their reflections and even take their pain out on the source. But what can make the road painful and isolating can also make it the most rewarding and truthful. I never regret my decision to go into theatre. I have never felt so free and authentic. It's like a thousand messages I was carrying can now find their way home.
I had tears down my eyes at the end, such a powerful and emotional speech!
She is so real, genuine and insightful. Thank you for making Patsy's talk accessible.
The second story broke something inside myself. Really. Something has broken.
I'll never stop doing Theatre.
I first saw this video ten years ago and every so often, I search for it and still get choked up every time. Bless HER for sharing this.
Same with me.
This touches me deeply every time I come back to see this video.
I didn't expect it, I cried, the old man's anecdote cuts me to the heart.
This talk is so unbelievably powerful. I feel completely empowered as an actor and performer. The reminder is so beautiful and so fundamental. Thank you.
That line about the police just caught me. Very powerful.
Powerful. Love listening to Patsy.
I’ve taken several workshops with Patsy specializing in the voice and Shakespeare,merging the two.
I love her so much.
She changed my life.
Thank you Patsy ❤️
Incredible. Very powerful. Actors are the representation of our truth.
Yes, it i just stood out to me on the shelf in a book shop :). I recentley bought "The power of now" by Eckhart tolle, and both books combined are just amazing. The excercises and stories in Presence with the mentality and mindset (or lack of :)) of power of now are life transforming.
Life is so much more enjoyable now, i'm so grateful for being blessed at such a young age :)
My teacher at drama school. Amazing, awesome, totally inspiring. Thank you Patsy.
This is absolutely amazing. I am an actor and currently struggling with self-esteem and questions. This is so incredibly inspiring...and I think I have fallen even more in love with theatre because of it. :D
The second story it really gave me the chills !
Patsy you sent a chill down my spine - that's a positive thing by the way. You're wonderful...
Bless you Patsy Rodenburg
I did a production of Howard Barker's "Judith" at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego at the end of my graduate school years. Judith makes a sound after she kills Holofernes. And, the director, Matt August, wanted it to be a sound of deep guttural loss. I did what he asked. My mother came to see it and she was furious with me afterwards. She said, "No mother should ever have to hear her child make that sound!" That's why I do theatre.
She know's what she is talking about, and SO DO I.
Thank-you.
Life is hard and doubly so for an actor and it helps to hear such things. Esp. apx 6mins in....
Strong delivery. Brilliant
I'm very inspired by this lady. I have always been interested in voice as well as the ability to truly be in the moment.
I'm gonna get those books asap.
Thanx for posting these video!!
This is absolutely incredible.
Wow! Powerful! I've not had an experience that drastic before.
simply brilliant!
I love you Patsy Rodenburg.
Wow , speechless. All I can say is wow.
Awesome teacher
Gracias Pat.
Thank you, Patsy.
proud to be part of an art form this touching
It's why I do theatre as well. Brilliant!!!!
So amazing
Michael, I stumbled upon this video through Ted Talks; my search topic was psychology. 'Why I do Theatre' jumped out at me and walla, Patsy's presentation was very engaging to say the least. The motto of her speech is a necessary aspect of life, me thinks without feeling the compulsion of quoting this one or that. To be present to others is essential. An Actor is ideal in many respects, for with the warmth & depth of experience, they can model such behavior and remain authentic to their self. If it is within your reach and disposition, please give Patsy my regards... JY
wow. I felt like I just got slammed in the heart. wow.
Excellent.
I couldn't agree more with this woman.
Amazing - is there anyway you could upload the whole presentation?
Wow!
powerful.
INSPIRING!!!
its the ringing for me
Does anyone know where i can find more information on presence? I'm a musician and want to learn all i can =) im completely fascinated by it. Thanks in advance :)
Thanks, /i can use this for a project!
tears
What does she mean about the two stories
That was unexpectedly profound.
Good old Patsy.
Captions/transcript, please? Auto-captions aren't cutting it.
I hope you found the book, 'Presence'...
She's genius.
1,2,3!
Foreword by Sir Ian Mckellan as well :)
podría alguien subtitularla al castellano??
As someone who has done both styles, I completely disagree. If you can do theatre, you can do film. There are differences, yes of course, but theatre lays the groundwork for good, solid technique. Why? Because in theatre, there are no retakes. The audience cannot stop the play if they are bored or tired. You have to be present onstage and keep them engaged, keep the energy going. That makes a great actor.
If you don't believe me, a huge percentage of great film actors are trained in theatre.
A. Laurence But it wasn’t always the case. Compare the acting in the sword and sorcery film EXCALIBUR from 1981, with the much more naturalistic style of GAME OF THRONES. In EXCALIBUR, everyone, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne, are shouting their tits off, as if their trying to get their voices to the back of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford.
I have a big problem with theatre acting being taught in school. For some bizarre reason schools put all their attention into theatre acting, but they completely ignore acting for movies. At most high school and colleges it is like this. Why? It seems idiotic. Most people care about movies. Very often theatre houses struggle just to break even.
The thing is, theatre is the basic. Once you've learned the basics, you can try film acting. I love theatre, I love doing film as well. But I believe most actors feel most at home on the stage.
Alexander Gustavsson lol theatre acting is far from.basic.. theres so many stories of.film.actors.going.in.to.the theatre and failing.miserably. On the contrary a Theatre actor going.to.film.usually STANDS OUT by a ton.
Because people who act in theatres instead of gunning straight for movies aren't doing it for the money, nor for mass approval. "Most" people care for movies, but a great deal of people care for theatre too.
And there are courses for film acting (of which movies are only a small subset) at higher levels, such as tertiary institutions and arts schools.
@Daphne Ong: But surely acting for movies should be made a bigger priority in public colleges and universities. If a person wants to learn more about film acting, they have to go to some very expensive private school. It seems really idiotic because the mass public cares way more about movies than theatre (most theatre houses struggle just to break even). Most actors want to act for movies, and the system is doing them a disservice.
@brendabn87 I think the older generation of British actors decry film acting, since film was seen among the educated classes as a "bit of a tart". (Remember that classic footage of a BBC interviewer accusing Richard Burton "depriving" UK theatre audiences of one of our best Shakespearean performers, and Elizabeth Taylor screaming at him "What a load of bloody rubbish!"?) Many young British actors I've worked with revere American film actors...
Anne Widdecombe.
Ed Bonner Oh, that’s nice.
Theatre acting and film acting don't correlate. They are two completely different styles (because they are in two completely different settings). It's inaccurate to say Theatre acting is the beginning (and film acting is the next step) because they are almost two seperate genres. Acting for film needs to be a bigger priority in schools. Class spaces and resources should NOT be wasted on theatre acting - it should go to film acting instead.
Most actors you see on screen have a foundation in theatre. Whereas when actors who go from doing only film to doing theatre end up not even being able to remember their lines. (E.g. Bruce Willis on broadway having to have an ear piece and being fed his lines in the moment.) I would agree they're different, and require a different approach, but to say stage acting isn't a good foundation for film seems like a baseless assertion, again, given that I could name numerous actors who got their start on stage.
Theatre and film have some similarities, but are wildly different. Football and rugby have some similarities, but are wildly different. As in football and rugby, one is not the preparation for the other. To be good at one, is not to be good at the other. To be good at football- play football, intensely. Don't play rugby to help your football.
actors are already glorified by society, we dont need them more, we need more scientists
Her second story shows why theatre is a disgrace to the entertainment field and why less emphasis should be put on theatre. The ultimate goal for an acting production (whether it be film, theatre, ect) is to entertain. Her second story proves that theatre actors don't care about entertainment; they only care about stroking their own ego and giving "A Real Performance," as they put it. When a person pays money to see your show, they should be entertained, NOT made to feel miserable.
it's not a disgrace he felt pain because he could relate to her sorrow ,because he had experienced a similar one. But there are a lot of great theatre and films that are tragic who could forget titanic the ending is sad but its still a masterpiece. There are also a lot of comedic pieces of both films and theatre; If every film or theatre piece ended in a happy ending for everyone imagine how unrealistic or predictable it would be.
The issue with that comment is, it depends on the performance and the style of the performance what the audience 'should be made to feel'. If its a naturalistic style show then they should feel emotions strongly, if it's a sad play they should feel miserable, if a comedy then they should feel happy. When it's something like brecht then they audience should feel nothing, it all depends on the style of play