Survivor castaway
Jamal mentioned it in Island of the Idols and actress Shannon Esra spoke about it when I
interviewed her about her role on Still Breathing.
Presence.
Being here and now in your miiiiiind.
It's been one of my ultimate missions over the past few years, especially since I started yoga, which is all about quietening the ever-bubbling thoughts so your mind can be as clear as possible, like perfectly still water.
I've realised that having this sense of being right here and NOW, as if you're at one with everything around you, is a liberating tool for living - and for acting too.
It's not easy but to keep trying and trying.
I asked Shannon for her no. 1 acting tip and this is what she said:
Shannon: You have to listen and actually not act, which is so counter intuitive.
I always think it's a bit of a back-handed compliment when people say, "That was some good acting."
It musn't look like acting, you must be like "Oh my God, that person is who that person is!" Totally, believe it.
Don't act. Listen. Be true. And be present. Be present.
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Shannon's tip takes our Acting Tips series to a total of 10. If you haven't seen the others yet, put your presence into practice and zone in on what these actors have to say: (tap each name for their tip)
Vatiswa Ndara
Tichina Arnold
Brümilda van Rensburg
Rapulana Seiphemo
Brenda Mhlongo
Makgotso M
Themba Ndaba
Pearl Monama
Cornet Mamabolo