Videos We Liked (transcribed by Web For Actors)

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Videos We Liked
  4. »
  5. How to Memorize Lines

How to Memorize Lines

Recorded by Howcast

Watch more How to Be an Actor videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/5335-How-to-Memorize-Lines Whether you're a budding actor, a businessperson who has to give presentations, or a PTA mom, we all need to remember lines now and then. These tricks will help. Step 1: Write it down Write out your lines. This helps your brain commit them to memory because the act of transferring them to paper requires you to process the material instead of just seeing it. In fact, research shows this can help you memorize things 45% faster. Step 2: Think like the character If you’re memorizing lines for a play, think about the character’s motivation. Sounds clichéd, we know. But it works. It’s called 'active experiencing,' and research backs up its effectiveness. Step 3: Become a broken record Say the lines over and over—and over! Repetition trains the brain by prompting it to expect the words to follow in a certain way. Tip Memorize your lines on an empty stomach; that’s when the hormone dealing with memory is most active! Step 4: Move When studying the lines at home, move as you would on the stage. In one study, people who memorized lines while in motion later remembered them better than those who stood still. Step 5: Tape yourself Record yourself saying your lines and play it at bedtime. Your brain is most programmable right before you fall asleep, when it’s most primed for suggestion and memory retention. Did You Know? 'To be or not to be, that is the question,' is considered the most famous line in theatre history.

Full Transcription:

00:03:
How to memorize lines. Whether you're a budding actor, a business person who has to give presentations or a PTA mom, we all need to remember lines now then. These tricks will help. You will need paper and pen and a tape recorder.
00:19:
Step one, write out your lines. This helps your brain commit them to memory because the act of transferring them to paper requires you to process the material instead of just seeing it. In fact, research shows this can help you memorize things 45% faster.
00:34:
Step two. If you're memorizing lines for a play, think about the character's motivation. Sounds cliché, we know, but it works. It's called active experiencing and research backs up it's effectiveness.
00:46:
Step three, say the lines over and over and over. Repetition trains the brain by prompting it to expect the words to follow in a certain way. Memorize your lines on an empty stomach. That's when the hormone dealing with memory is most active.
01:02:
Step four. When studying the lines at home, move as you would on the stage. In one study, people who memorized lines while in motion later remembered them better than those who stood still.
01:13:
Step five, record yourself saying your lines and play it at bed time. Your brain is most programmable right before you fall asleep when it's most prime for suggestion and memory retention.
01:25:
Did you know "To be or not to be, that is the question" is the most famous line in theater history?