As I’ve just recently purchased an iphone, I’ve begun to listen to a lot more music than I usually get to do. One thing in particular that I’ve been able to use it for is for my pre-show warm up. I have a “Prince of Atlantis” playlist that includes Adele, Josh Pyke, Imperial Teen, Snow Patrol, and so on.
One song that has been making a strong impact on me in general is Sara Bareille’s “Uncharted” off her album Kaleidoscope Heart. For me, this song sums up many key points about acting in that poetic way that only music and lyrics can.
No words, My tears won’t make any room for more,
And it don’t hurt like anything I’ve ever felt before,
this is no broken heart,
No familiar scars,
This territory goes uncharted…
This is every moment in a play. It’s brand new. The first time. You may have walked into this room before, spoken with this person, but these circumstances are brand new, and it’s important!
I’m going down,
Follow if you want, I won’t just hang around,
Like you’ll show me where to go,
I’m already out of foolproof ideas, so don’t ask me how
To get started, it’s all uncharted.
This is the idea of not-knowing. In line with this being the first time, there’s also an element of taking an action, and not really knowing how it’s going to turn out. Or not even really knowing how to go after what you want, but trying anyway.
I won’t go as a passenger, no
Waiting for the road to be laid
Though I may be going down,
I’m taking flame over burning out
This, for me, is the idea of taking risks. Not just kind-of-sort-of going after your objective, or making a safe choice, but REALLY going after your objective, and REALLY making a choice. Jumping with out a net. Deciding it’s better to go big and feel utterly vulnerable than play it safe and easy.
Compare where you are to where you want to be, and you’ll get nowhere
And finally, the truest of truisms in this whole song – and the rhythm in which it’s sung…ugh ::kisses fingers:: – this is the idea of not aiming for results. In life, in acting, you have to live in the process. Only in the looking for something will you actually find it.
So thank you, Sara, for this incredible lesson on acting, and, of course, life.
You’re my hero.