Leadership Lessons from the Goose (The How & Why of DragonukConnects)

By Brian Dragonuk 

Reprinted with permission for EmpoweredActor.com

Those of you who have been around for a while know the story (a little bit) but I want everyone to understand this.

In July of 1999, I was faced with my full time job closing its doors for good.  I had about two months of vacation/sick leave, personal days, etc.  Companies are not known for sending checks to people after they go bankrupt so I started looking for a way to earn money while taking the time I was owed and building a bank account -– just in case it took a while to find new employment.

So at age 47 I went to the open call for “The Replacements,” was hired for three weeks, stayed three months, used all the time I had saved up, and banked two full-time employment checks each week while I could. I spent 43 (working) days on that 1st set with between 300-400 Other “Extras” each day (I later learned 15,000 Different Actors worked 1 or more paid days on that set as Extras). While other “Veteran” Actors were quick to Brag about other jobs they had completed almost NONE would tell you “How they found that job”, “Where they learned their Skills” Etc. The Veteran Actors were So Afraid of competition that 1 even had a list of the “Scam Agents” and sent new people directly to them so they would get burned and quit the business.

Today, DragonukConnects is the Outgrowth of My Plan (Formed on that set) to Provide Free or Very Low Cost, High Quality Information to Everyone & Anyone that wants it – Every job /Audition notice, Training session, Networking Event that I can find information on – Is passed on to EVERYONE that wants it.

You have the Choice of Deleting that Information or taking advantage of it.

And Now the Goose

What follows is something I have seen many times in many forms. I have seen it mostly attributed to Robert McNeish, (former Assoc. Superintendent of Baltimore Public Schools) but it is also attributed to others as well. I Have Added “The DragonukConnects Connection” After each of his Points

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
The DragonukConnects Connection – I have said from the very beginning we are Stronger as a Group – Helping each other Grow, Pushing those ahead of us Upward and Growing ourselves into the space they leave behind. IF WE DON'T HELP EACH OTHER – NO ONE ELSE WILL EITHER

Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to takeadvantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
The DragonukConnects Connection – I have said from the very beginning we are Stronger as a Group – Helping each other Grow, Pushing those ahead of us Upward and Growing ourselves into the space they leave behind. IF WE DON'T HELP EACH OTHER – NO ONE ELSE WILL EITHER

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
DragonukConnects is set up as a Networking Community Where EACH of you can contribute and “Lead The Flock”, From the Invites You can send to other Actors so they can join the Group – To your being able and Asked to Post any Jobs/auditions, Training sessions, networking Events you are part of and sending me Information about things that Might be useful in the Resource section.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
DragonukConnects has Always Tried to post every major Accomplishment any Actor or Crew Member has achieved. We post Complete Cast & Crew Lists for Every project we can, We encourage EVERYONE to Attend Premiers & Show Openings and Support Each other WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another
formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

To me, this is 1 of the Most Important Functions of DragonukConnects. It was Established Far earlier then my own personal Battles with Leukemia, the 8 Months of Failed Chemo that led to the Hospitalization, More Chemo, Radiation, Stem Cell Transplant, Immune System Antibody Transplant, and Multiple Eye Surgeries to repair the Chemo damage that have happened over the last 5 years. Your Cards & Visits meant a lot to me and were a large part of my recovery.

I have seen it with others in the Groups as well -- before my Friend Gus passed – He spent Hours Talking About all the Cards & Letters he received from Actors he had never even met – Because of the Postings in the Newsletter.

But it is also FAR, FAR MORE then helping someone Sick or Dying – Its sticking together in the Financial downturns as well. The Success or Failure of DragonukConnects in the Long run Rests with you and the Things you do today. We are 4,000 Members Strong and growing about 250 per Month.
 

If you are in College – Make sure the Faculty & Staff know about DragonukConnects (The other Students as well). Try to Encourage the Faculty to join as a Basic (FREE) Member (Resource Provider Sub-Group) So EVERYONE knows about the Classes and Projects being done there (Shows, Auditions, Student film Castings). Make sure someone is distributing the possible Jobs and Internships to the rest of the students today & for years to come. All are easy posts that can be made in 3 Minutes or less – IF the College/University Joins and Posts Them. It’s FREE Why not do it.

If you are Part of a Theatre Group – Make sure the Staff knows about DragonukConnects (The other Actors As Well) Try to Encourage the Theatre to join as a Basic (FREE) Member (Theatre Sub-Group) So EVERYONE knows about the, Auditions, Production Crew Job Openings, Admin & Mgt Job Openings, Interns Needed, Ushers Needed, Classes Given, and Every Shows full run. All are easy posts that can be made in 3 Minutes or less – IF the Theatre Joins and Posts Them. It’s FREE Why not do it?

If you are a full time or Part time Employee or Freelance with a Production Company - Make sure they Know about DragonukConnects (The other Crew Members as well). Try to Encourage the Production Company to join as a Basic (FREE) Member (Production Company/Crew Sub-Group) So EVERYONE knows about the, full or part time Job Openings they have, Freelance Opportunities that come up, Interns Needed And Even More Importantly the Resources they have that OTHERS might need/hire them as a sub-contractor.

You are EACH on the front line EVERYTIME you work, Attend a Networking Meeting or Training Class – Your Help in letting others Know about DragonukConnects and the FREE Services offered thru it – Will be a large
part of the Continued Growth in Auditions & Jobs postings carried by DragonukConnects – Something that Benefits us all.

...Or Will You Be Crushed?

Yeah, it's 2 something in the morning, but I had to
write. 

When the inspiration comes, you must respond. 
(Remember that.)

I was feeding the horses -- it's not really important
WHY I was feeding the horses after midnight -- and I
saw a meteor shower.

It's a beautiful clear night, and the West Virginia sky
is ... amazing.

I saw the meteor streak silently across the sky (yet my
head added a sound effect of sorts, heh) and I thought...

  - - Okay, bear with me here - -

... I thought, What early man must have thought,
gazing at the sky.  The wonder...the Awe...the Fear

And so, standing there in the dark field in nothing but my
shorts and sneakers, my body feeling very alive in the
chilly air, I was inspired to write.

Because when you see such a sight as a shooting star,
if you just breathe and are silent, you will feel the
wonder and fear at the same time... shades of delight
tinged with the deep understanding that you are so
very very small



 yet here you are




Do you know what that is, when you look in the summer sky?

No, I'm not being metaphorical now.  I'm talking about
when you look into the clear sky (those of you who can
actually see the stars from wherever you are) on a
summer night


and you notice that...that, SMUDGE across the sky.


Know what I'm talking about?


Hey, if you happen to be reading this just moments after
I posted it, go outside and check it out.  This is not an
acting exercise (I'll get to that in a sec); I just want
you to go outside, and wait until your eyes adjust.

Listen.  Whatever sounds are around you, listen.

I hear an amazingly loud chorus of bugs, an unimaginable
variety of insects singing their little buggy hearts out.

Now look up.  Look across the sky...

Do you see the "smudge"?

It cuts right across the dome of the night sky, pretty
much in the middle, pretty much from horizon to horizon.

Raise your hand if you know what that is.

Good, good, some of you do.

At first you might think it's a stream of light, wispy
clouds...or maybe smoke.  But it's not...it's...

stars.

But not just ANY ol' stars.

That band of stars that make up the wispy smudge across
the sky are the gazillions of stars that make up our
Milky Way Galaxy.

Our solar system is positioned on an outer arm of the
multi-armed spiral galaxy...and when you look up on a
clear summer night, YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THE GALAXY'S
CENTER

like when you're on the Ferris Wheel, and you look up
(or down, or over) at the center spindle . . .


Cool, huh?

And then a meteor -- God knows how incredibly small,
most of them -- goes streaking across the sky appearing
larger than a jumbo jet and faster than anything

And you feel so small

 yet inspired

 because you understand that though you are nothing

 you have the power to change humanity

 if you respond to the call within

 because THAT is why the dream was implanted


So will you step up to that challenge and Trust

or will you allow it to crush you, and wither away

    ?

I happened to be in my office this morning, pecking
away at this post, and the phone rang.

It was an actor -- well, an actor's mom, a complete
stranger -- who had an acting question for me.
 
It was a delightful conversation; enjoyable because
she is involved in her daughter's quest, and because,
frankly, I love connecting with you, you Empowered
Actor blog readers. 

My challenge is--well, one of my challenges is--to
keep it real, to stay connected in a meaningful way.

Heh...That's the actor's challenge anyway, right? 
To keep that connection going.

Anyway, she had nice things to say about the blog,
and about my Audition Success ebook, which apparently
her daughter bought some time ago, along with the audio
book, at The Actor's Expo.   

It's scary stepping up to the calling in your life,
so it's nice when you have the support of family. 
I know some of you don't.

It's scary for me, I'll tell you...and thrilling, and
SATISFYING

And I love it.

You must follow your passion.  Why do anything else?
Yes, the road will be rough, so let your passion and
faith and smarts carry you through.  If you knew
all the seemingly insurmountable hurdles coming up,
you wouldn't do it.  That's why the dream was
implanted.  So let's see what you do with it.

When the inspiration comes, you must act on it.

Here's to Your Empowerment

...now make an appointment with yourself to look into
the night sky over these next few nights, and see what
you can see...


Love you, friends.

Later,

--Tom

Copyright © 2010 Tom Brooks and
The Empowered Actor Initiative  All Rights Reserved

How to Take the (Bad) Edge Off the Audition - Part 3

Okay!Okay!  Ready for this?  We're going to take your bad
nervous energy, and transform it into that GOOD nervous
energy you need for a great audition.

Step 3: Use Your Model Experience

Take the great audition you thought of in Step 1, and
use it as a model for this upcoming audition. 

Here's what you do -- then I'll tell you why this
process works.

First... imagine that great audition in Step 1. 
Remember, it doesn't matter if you are making it up, or
whether you saw an actor in a movie have a great
audition, or if you saw another actor in real life have
a great audition.

The point is, now you're going to imagine that it was
YOU who had that great audition.

This should be fun, because you're using your acting
power, your imagination, to envision that it was you
who had that experience.

Really see yourself in that great audition.  Make it
like you are really THERE.  Take some time with this
and FEEL it. 

Next... Pretend that the audition you have coming up,
the one triggering fear, has ALREADY HAPPENED.  Take
those same feelings from the great audition into the
upcoming audition.  SEE yourself there, as if it's a
memory.  SEE yourself meeting the casting directors...
the smiling faces.  SEE yourself doing really well. 
FEEL yourself doing really well.

Have fun with this!  You need to get into it so much
that you're actually feeling good and smiling about the
great job you did.

Do this 3 times a day for at least 3 days (more, if you
need to) until the fear of the upcoming audition is
gone, until you are feeling confident about the
audition coming up.

If the fear and self-doubt creep back in over the days
before the upcoming audition, Stop.  Think about what
you are imagining that causes the feelings of fear. 

Then ask yourself, 'Is what I'm imagining something
I can control?'  If it is within your control, then
take care of it. 

On the other hand, if the problem is something BEYOND
your control, then forget about it!  Do this by going
back to Step 3, and focus on what you CAN control.

Why the Process Works

To understand how and why this process works so well,
let's recap what you've done:

• Step 1: Think of a great audition
• Step 2: Identify the specific fears you have about
  this upcoming audition
• Step 3: Use your model audition experience to
  transfer your feelings of success to this upcoming
  audition... as if it's already happened

By taking these specific steps, you are overriding the
fear images by flooding your head with POSITIVE images
connected with positive FEELINGS.  This is not mere
"positive thinking"...you are actually reprogramming
your thought patterns.

The reason Step 3 is so important and powerful is
because when you fantasize with strong images and
feelings, your subconscious thinks the experience
is REAL.  (In case you didn't know it, your subconscious
mind does not know the difference between fantasy 
and reality.)

Your subconscious is that part of your brain that
controls your heart beat, your breathing...those
things you don't have to THINK about doing.  The
subconscious is also where your fears reside, and a
lot of times, they are only there because you
BELIEVE there is something to be afraid of -- even
when there is NOTHING to be afraid of. (In other
words: What you believe to be true IS true...EVEN
IF IT ISN'T.)
So when you IMAGINE with strong images and FEELINGS,
your subconscious THINKS IT'S TRUE.  This means that
your subconscious replaces the belief that 'I AM
GOING TO MESS UP' with 'I AM GOING TO DO GREAT.'

It's as if you have already had that experience of the
great audition!  Since the fear is gone, you FEEL better
about it before you even do it. 

The fact is that actors who have less fear are cast
more often.  And even when you don't get the role,
you still know you did a great audition -- the best
one you possibly could, so you feel better about it,
and it helps keep your chin up for next time.

When you use this process, email your success story to me
...I'd love to know how it went!

Here's to Your Empowerment!

--Tom

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2010 Tom Brooks and
The Empowered Actor Initiative  All Rights Reserved

How to Take the (Bad) Edge Off the Audition - Part 2

You're right: Step 1 is deceptively simple. In fact,
it's so simple, many actors looking for a way to get
past the nerves probably dismissed or overlooked it. 
How could getting a clear picture of a winning
audition in your head possibly work?  Well, in Step 3
(next time), I will indeed tell you why this works.

In any case, by now you should have a firm vision in
your head of a winning actor in a winning audition. 

This can be from

• Your own audition experience
• Seeing another actor audition well
• Seeing a movie that depicts actors auditioning well
• A fabricated memory you have pieced together
  from any or all of the above.

As long as you have that 'great audition' firmly in
your head, you're ready to move on.

Step 2: Identify the Fear Factor

Think about why are you nervous about this particular
audition coming up. 

Really pin-point WHY it is that your anxiety level is
high in this particular audition situation. 

Don't allow your answer to be 'Because it's an
audition!'  You must be VERY SPECIFIC about this
audition.

Is it because it's one of your first auditions, and you
don't know what to expect? 

If that's so, you can always find out about the
audition ahead of time.  For instance, you can find out
if the audition will be in a theater on the stage, or a
rehearsal room, or in a church...You can find out if
other actors will be watching when you audition. 

Getting answers about how the audition will run can make
you feel a whole lot better, since it will take away
some of the unknown elements.  (Seems simple, but many
actors operate from the mindset that they are supposed
to be ignorant, that the process is supposed to be hard.)

Or... Maybe you're so nervous because you just want to
do a good job.  Are you're afraid you'll screw it up?
Whatever you're nervous about, there is SOMETHING, or
someTHINGS that you keep picturing in your head.  Make
sure you know what those are, especially those pictures
or scenes that keep coming up again and again.

That kind of nervousness is the kind that can get in
your way at the audition, so we will work on getting
rid of it so that you can do your very best. 

The more you trust yourself, and the better prepared you are, the better you'll do. 

Here's what I want you to do...

Get a 3x5 card, or your journal, and write your top
three fears - those things that you keep imagining
that are really making you nervous.

Do not write long descriptions -- just list 'bullet
points.'  Something like this:

• afraid of my hands shaking
• worried that I'll forget my words
• scared that everyone else will be better than me

Don't write more detail than that.

Now... Put this card away until the next Empowered
Actor article.  Don't keep looking at it -- just
remember where you put it, so we can work with it
next time.

And between now and then, don't mull over the fears
in your mind.  Just NOTICE when you start slipping
into the Fear Factor mode.  Don't beat yourself up
about your imaginings -- just think about something
else, something more pleasant that has to do with
acting that you like so much.

Until next time, Here's to Your Empowerment!

--Tom

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2010 Tom Brooks and
The Empowered Actor Initiative  All Rights Reserved

Actor Control: How to Take the (Bad) Edge Off the Audition - Part 1

Heart pounding, you walk up to do your audition. 
Although you were just introduced to several people,
you don't remember any of their names.  You're not
even sure which one is the director. 

As you get into place and begin to speak, you realize
for one horrifying second that you have completely
forgotten your monologue.  No idea!  Then, amazingly,
the words tumble out of your mouth just when they're
needed, and they seem pretty much like the right ones. 

Then it's over in a flash.  Your smile feels forced as
you say Thank You, and wonder if it's obvious that you
are bolting for the door...

    Now let's take another scenario, something
    that happened to Empowered Actress
    Sharon Carpenter-Rose.

Sharon had a film audition late in the day.  In fact,
she was one of the last to audition over a multi-day
period.  Confident and ready, she walked into the
room, was introduced to the crew, and was told she
could begin when she was ready.  Sharon sized up the
space, decided she didn't need the chair that was
available, and moved it to the back where it wouldn't
be in her way. 

With that, the director and camera man looked at each
other.  One of them remarked, amazed, 'You're the first
actor to move that chair during this whole audition!' 

They were delighted with Sharon.  Here was an actress
at ease with herself enough to take a brief moment to
actually arrange the space the way SHE wanted it. 

Sharon was not at the MERCY of the audition.

She OWNED the audition.

The truth is: You have a lot of control over the
outcome of an audition.

Understand that it's okay to be nervous.  You WANT the
nervous energy to give you that edge you need.  You
don't want to be so relaxed that you seem as if you
don't care.  And, of course, you don't want such a high
degree of nervousness that it runs away with you.

Here's How to Take the (Bad) Edge Off that Audition

Step 1: Think of A Great Audition

Think of an audition that was a breeze, where you KNEW
you did a great job, even if you didn't get the role. 

Never had a really good audition experience?  Don't
worry.  You can think of a great audition you've SEEN.
Hopefully, you've observed that some actors handle the
audition process better than others. 

Some actors are nervous wrecks.  Others look like they
aren't really bothered by it. 

Picture yourself as one of the confident ones, those
actors that make you think, 'They make it look so EASY.'

Take your memory, and pretend you are THAT person
during that audition.

How did it feel, to be so at ease and playful?  Do you
think they were REALLY not nervous? Or did they just
handle it differently?

If you haven't had any really good audition experiences
and haven't seen any, then take what you've seen on
American Idol, or rent a movie that depicts actors
auditioning.  There are those who handle it well, and 
those who let their nerves ruin it for them.

Bottom line: MAKE UP a memory if you don't have one of
your own.  You need to be able to see YOU in a winning
audition situation.

In the next blog issue, I'll delve into Step 2, and
the NUMBER ONE thing that threatens to get in the way
of a great audition.

Until then, Here's to Your Empowerment!

--Tom

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2010 Tom Brooks and
The Empowered Actor Initiative  All Rights Reserved

How to Achieve Honesty in Your Acting

How is it that you can be quite a good actor, and
still be dishonest in performance?

Happens all the time. 

Dishonesty in acting can take several forms, so let me
illustrate.  Then, I'll give you simple and specific steps 
to abolish dishonest acting for good, and forever
enhance the skills you have.

Examples of Generalizing (Dishonesty) in Performance

PERIODIC DISHONESTY
The most subtle and frequent form of dishonesty
affects the professional actor, as well as the better-
than-average community theatre actor.  This form of
dishonesty is generalizing: playing at a feeling or
emotion instead of BEING AND DOING it. 

Since this is the Very Good Actor we are talking
about in this example, this kind of dishonesty is
not likely to affect the entire performance, but
will crop up in spots.  In other words, many moments
will be quite good, quite well executed; other
moments leave a bit to be desired, but because he's
so good, we tend as audience members to forgive.

ROLE GONE STALE

The biggest form of dishonesty for the professional
performer engaged in a long run is stale acting; the
life has drained from the performance except for
brief and fleeting instances of "brilliance" that are
elusive and difficult to repeat.

MEDIOCRITY

The most prevalent and not-so-subtle form of
dishonesty can be seen largely on non-professional
stages where mostly untrained actors appear, but
certainly rears its ugly head on the professional
stage as well. 

This form of dishonesty occurs when the actor has
either never reached a level of honesty in
performance, or has attained that level in the past,
but has become lazy.

The Remedy for All Forms of Dishonest Acting

You understand, or at least have heard, that HONESTY
and VULNERABILITY are attractive qualities in
performance.  I will go as far as to say both are
crucial to actors.

This is true whether you are performing on stage or
in front of the camera.

This is true whether you are performing in a
production or presenting yourself at an audition.

It is true whether you are presenting yourself at a
job interview.

The ability to engage honesty instantly-- once
accepted and EXPERIENCED -- is very powerful.

Difficult to attain?

That depends on how brave you are in terms of
1) Looking objectively at yourself, and
2) Allowing yourself to be "naked" in front of the
world.

How terrifying would it be if you had to stand in
front of 400 people and reveal the
- Ugliest side of yourself? 
- Worst thing you've ever done? 
- Most thoughtless thing you've ever done?

Okay, relax. That's not going to happen.

** BUT **

            and this is the key

      If you can IMAGINE
      with great detail
      looking into someone's eyes,
      and revealing all that "junk"
      and have them still love you,
      and accept you without judgment...

...then you have the ability to perform with
vulnerability and honesty.

            Read that again, slowly.

Now understand...

I did not say you WILL reveal ANYTHING, but when you
IMAGINE looking into someone's eyes, allowing them
inside to see aaallll of yourself -- your most intimate 
thoughts and darkest secrets... well, that can be a
scary thing, a really terrifying thing to even think
those things while looking into a person's eyes.

   PLEASE NOTE: If you try this exercise
  of looking into another person's eyes
  and mentally revealing yourself, instruct
  your partner to look into your eyes while
  thinking, over and over, "I love you, and
  it's all okay."

This is a powerful exercise. 

Doubt me? 

Try it sometime.  Less than 30 seconds of it and you
will be shaken.
 
Unless, of course, you cannot lower the shield.

Aaaahhhhh, there's the rub.

If that's you, if you cannot drop your guard, I
cannot help you with this simple article.  If your
curiosity is roused, however, then you can take the
simple steps below to improve your acting. 
Today.  Now.

(If you are intrigued and want to talk about this
process with me, send me an email and I'll set up a
free phone session with you and we can discuss.)

Here's how.  Take these ideas and run with them.  Use
this powerful and mind-blowing technique while 

1. Creating a role
2. Rehearsing
3. Cold reading
4. Preparing to audition
5. Auditioning and interviewing with the casting director
6. In performance

How to Attain Instant Honesty/Vulnerability

STEP ONE
Think, "I love you" while looking into your fellow
actor's eyes. 

The content and context of the scene DOES NOT
MATTER.  Even if your intention is TO HUMILIATE, TO
INSULT, TO FIRE RAGE AT... this will work.  The sex
of the other person does not matter. 

Before any words come out of your mouth -- for just a
moment -- take the chance and LOOK IN THEIR EYES and
think, "I love you."

How About the Audition?

If you're doing a monologue or a song selection for an
audition, you have a focal point, an imaginary person
you are talking or singing to, right?  Then look in
THAT person's eyes. 

Not talking to anyone?  CHANGE IT so that you are
talking to someone.  (It must be a SPECIFIC person you
are talking to, not "just someone.")

STEP TWO
Inhale while formulating your response.

Acting is reacting, right?  Even if you are doing a
monologue or song, SOMETHING HAS PROMPTED YOU TO
RESPOND, and you'd better know what that something is. 

If you don't know VERY SPECIFICALLY what prompts you
to begin speaking/singing THOSE PARTICULAR WORDS that
you are to speak/sing, then you have already lost the
audience before you have begun; you have already lost
the role at the audition.

The reason you inhale while formulating your thought --  
your very specific thought that is ultimately expressed
as a specific, active and powerful INTENTION -- is that
it draws focus in a very subtle and dynamic way. It
automatically and subliminally creates expectation.  

This is not a dramatic and sharp inhalation, by the
way.  Just breathe in 

and

suspend the breath, for at least an instant, at the
top of the inhalation.  Don't hold, cut off or stop
your breath... just suspend the movement of air
through your airway.  This is controlled by your
diaphragm, not your throat.

STEP THREE
Give; focus on the other person.

Remember, even at an audition, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU. 
It's what you (as your character) WANT in that moment
FROM THE OTHER PERSON.  To get what you want, you
must GIVE to the other person, real or imaginary. This
is expressed as a specific, active and powerful
INTENTION.

It's that feeling of throwing the ball to someone,
and not pulling your throwing arm back right away,
but rather suspending your energy even after the
ball has left your hand. 

Picture throwing a ball and leaving your arm in space
for a few seconds before going back to neutral.  Not
JUST holding your arm out there, but suspending and
extending your energy in the direction of your pitch.

STEP FOUR
Repeat constantly.

If you even ATTEMPT these steps, your awareness will
be raised to a higher degree, and your acting, your
character development, your performance level, will
begin to improve.

Hope this is helpful.

Here's to Your Empowerment!

--Tom

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2010 Tom Brooks and
The Empowered Actor Initiative  All Rights Reserved