In this web exclusive acclaimed film and stage actor Bill Nighy discusses with Rita Braver his tricks for memorizing dialogue, and his superstitions about the process.
So basically he treats his acting like a regular job. I love him. He is obviously very talented, plus he takes his job seriously. Not a fame driven “actor”. A real one
This guy is a master actor!!! I saw him in an interview and he said it bugs him when he sees the younger generation not knowing their lines. You have to do your homework and memorize your lines for a play or movie.
"Learning the lines is the easy part," Bill says here. Yes. He also learns everyone's lines. Yes. Here's a tip for any actors out there watching and reading this: For every scene you're in, record everyone's lines, except yours~and give a LONG pause on the tape for you to say the line (so you can fumble with it or play with it). While rehearsing your lines, play the tape while washing the dishes, mopping the floor, doing the laundry, tidying up... any "chore" that requires no thinking. Not only will you learn your lines, you'll learn everyone else's. You can easily say your line if/when the director changes your blocking. When on stage, you can recover a scene when someone has dropped a line, cuz you can easily improvise yours to include important information that got dropped. And believe me, you'll notice. Try it ;) You'll like it :)
That's exactly what I used to do when I was in theatre! And thank goodness, because on the first night the guy I was acting with forgot his lines a couple of times and I had to think on my feet and inc his missing info in my next sentence, best thing I ever did was record the whole scenes and play them back on a cheap little recorder =) Def need to learn the other lines too, not just your own. I guess for movies it's not that important compared to theatre.
Really? I had to memorize 2-3 notebooks a day on my highschool exams days. If you can't memorize 30-50 pages then something is wrong with you. Yes, you gotta memorize everyone's. Acting is harder then remembering the lines.
Bill is one of my favourite actors, (whispered) but I have seen him forget lines on set proving that nobody is perfect. In fairness to him, he took the job late on when the actor he replaced was diagnosed with cancer and he did share his crisps with me at lunch. As a person he is such gentleman and a pleasure to have met. One of the best!
This guy is just simply an incredible actor. I really like him alot! He's classy, and you can tell he prepares for his roles extensively. If you haven't seen him before, check him out. His latest film is getting great reviews !!
Most men want to know why women find Bill Nighy desirable. I love his voice, loved him in “Love Actually” too. Cant get enough of him in these Brett stories. I listen over and over again.
There are a vast range of memorization techniques from antiquity, interesting that simple repetition appears to be the best. I know this works I've used it to memorize poetry for years which once memorized are never forgotten. I would add, saying the words aloud for muscle memory and visualizing the scene. You could also try arm/body movements and facial expressions in addition to saying the words. Another useful technique is to hand write the words, writing each line 3 times.
I have begun to memorize lines from Shakespeare.... it is difficult ... but it was more difficult when I started... it is getting better but I do not think it will ever be easy for me given my lack of talent. What propels me though is my love for the bard's work.... Knowing Shakespeare is part of what constitutes for me "good, meaning and fulfilling life"
We all learn lines differently. I learn on chunks, esp as a lot of the work I do involves monologues, which are much easier. No one relies on you, you can get into the skin of the character, you can (heresy) improvise and free wheel more esp if you understand the character that you are presenting.
Excellent. The possibly apocryphal story goes that when cast in The Bridge on the River Kwai the actor Sessue Hayakawa not only memorized the lines for his character but purposely read nothing else. Keep this in mind when you view the final 10-or-so minutes of his performance, for I can't help but think David Lean not only knew that but took full advantage.
I think I remember hearing that Anthony Hopkins has a similar approach. He goes to work knowing his lines inside and out - to the point where he doesn't have to think about them.
Basically the same technique for learning by heart, a speech you are to give. But then the hard part comes, which in a speech may be...how to make it interesting (via delivery, presentation).
Happy Birthday Bill Nighy. UR amazing legend. I loved Underworld Rise of the Lycans, 1, and 2 Evolution. I watch all of them. Underworld is awesome and romantic...! Underworld remind me of Resident Evil. Its complicated. Shaun of the Dead is great. Zombie movies r awesome. Pokemon Detective Pikachu is super awesome, I love Pokemon, I seen Pokemon, long time ago. Shows and movies. All of them. And Flushed Away is incredible. Seriously! UR great. May the Peace be with u Bill Nighy. From Harlingen Texas. December 12, 1949 December 12, 2023 through December 12, 3023
First, My nickname Catt I want o know why? world of Victor not middle just like I think My fathos. JOHN said " ''incurable'' Finally we are good or bad I'm free job free learn Because world not balance with every people not matter we from PALACE or from FARMER[HOUSE} ThxYou.
So basically he treats his acting like a regular job. I love him. He is obviously very talented, plus he takes his job seriously. Not a fame driven “actor”. A real one
Great comment.
This guy is a master actor!!! I saw him in an interview and he said it bugs him when he sees the younger generation not knowing their lines. You have to do your homework and memorize your lines for a play or movie.
Bill Nighy, This guy is a LEGENDARY Actor in my books
In your books..well that means a lot lol.
my book too!
I can't get enough of Bill Nighy; he is such a beautiful person. Much love and respect to BN and his family.
Bill Nighy the actor guy.
rperlberg Bill Nighy The Octopus Guy
Bill Nighy the Actor Guy-y
"Learning the lines is the easy part," Bill says here. Yes. He also learns everyone's lines. Yes. Here's a tip for any actors out there watching and reading this:
For every scene you're in, record everyone's lines, except yours~and give a LONG pause on the tape for you to say the line (so you can fumble with it or play with it). While rehearsing your lines, play the tape while washing the dishes, mopping the floor, doing the laundry, tidying up... any "chore" that requires no thinking.
Not only will you learn your lines, you'll learn everyone else's. You can easily say your line if/when the director changes your blocking. When on stage, you can recover a scene when someone has dropped a line, cuz you can easily improvise yours to include important information that got dropped. And believe me, you'll notice.
Try it ;) You'll like it :)
I think this is a great idea. I'm ordering a recorder right now.
That's exactly what I used to do when I was in theatre! And thank goodness, because on the first night the guy I was acting with forgot his lines a couple of times and I had to think on my feet and inc his missing info in my next sentence, best thing I ever did was record the whole scenes and play them back on a cheap little recorder =) Def need to learn the other lines too, not just your own. I guess for movies it's not that important compared to theatre.
Really? I had to memorize 2-3 notebooks a day on my highschool exams days.
If you can't memorize 30-50 pages then something is wrong with you. Yes, you gotta memorize everyone's. Acting is harder then remembering the lines.
May I also add this technique automatically will make you ‘listen more’ to the the other players on set. For me personally acting is listening.
😳???@anandaclaire///Can U also do this on a Sunday in front of a WIN🏆doe???
Bill is one of my favourite actors, (whispered) but I have seen him forget lines on set proving that nobody is perfect. In fairness to him, he took the job late on when the actor he replaced was diagnosed with cancer and he did share his crisps with me at lunch. As a person he is such gentleman and a pleasure to have met. One of the best!
When you learn your lines at home and then step into character the first time, its very common to forget lines sometimes. Its natural.
@@seidenschnabelfederflugel5441 Dont I know it LOL!
Was the person he replaced Alan Rickman?
@@SirJamesthePaul Yes. It was on Limehouse Golem
@@davidmacey5422 Have you seen the Galaxy Quest documentary Never Surrender? There’s a hilarious/sad anecdote about that.
Met this guy, terrific dude.
This guy is just simply an incredible actor. I really like him alot! He's classy, and you can tell he prepares for his roles extensively. If you haven't seen him before, check him out. His latest film is getting great reviews !!
Check out the Charles Paris radio plays (15 of them available on audio CD) his acting is second to none.
I love this guy
"Unobserved, uninhibited, private study is the backbone of any fine actor. " - Peter O'Toole.
I believe Mr. Nighy would agree.
I love Bill Nighy , his voice is like silk!
Now THAT is dedication ❤ what an extraordinary routine 🙏🏻
Most men want to know why women find Bill Nighy desirable. I love his voice, loved him in “Love Actually” too. Cant get enough of him in these Brett stories. I listen over and over again.
There are a vast range of memorization techniques from antiquity, interesting that simple repetition appears to be the best. I know this works I've used it to memorize poetry for years which once memorized are never forgotten. I would add, saying the words aloud for muscle memory and visualizing the scene. You could also try arm/body movements and facial expressions in addition to saying the words. Another useful technique is to hand write the words, writing each line 3 times.
Absolutely true; take it from an actor, who tried it every which way from Sunday. Know your lines and the sooner the better!
He is the best , not only as actor he is the better man , actor and maybe friend
Do you have the full interview please? This was so interesting, in fact every interview Bill does is fascinating! =)
What a great way to learn lines. Thanks for sharing this with us.
One of the reasons I love Bill is he put my record , Koochie Ryder , as one of his Desert Island Discs. Cheers guv.
One of my favorite actors of all time.
What he said! So true. Delaying is horrific
I have begun to memorize lines from Shakespeare.... it is difficult ... but it was more difficult when I started... it is getting better but I do not think it will ever be easy for me given my lack of talent. What propels me though is my love for the bard's work.... Knowing Shakespeare is part of what constitutes for me "good, meaning and fulfilling life"
El trabajo es importante, y la voz en un actor es muy importante
Brilliant!
We all learn lines differently. I learn on chunks, esp as a lot of the work I do involves monologues, which are much easier. No one relies on you, you can get into the skin of the character, you can (heresy) improvise and free wheel more esp if you understand the character that you are presenting.
Excellent. The possibly apocryphal story goes that when cast in The Bridge on the River Kwai the actor Sessue Hayakawa not only memorized the lines for his character but purposely read nothing else. Keep this in mind when you view the final 10-or-so minutes of his performance, for I can't help but think David Lean not only knew that but took full advantage.
Love this guy
Genius and honest
Wow 😮 much respect 🫡
1:55 man I can resonate
I think I remember hearing that Anthony Hopkins has a similar approach. He goes to work knowing his lines inside and out - to the point where he doesn't have to think about them.
I like this actor
The Speaker 😂
Good actor. Love his Davy Jones scary as f.
Bill is one of my Desert Island Actors.
Insightful words with British humor 😂
Legend
So perceptive!
Agreed, homework is everything.
Thanks
I'm not sure who would agree but i think my favourite role of his has to be Ray Simms in Still Crazy, that film will always be in my top 5.
That's probably the way I should have practiced the piano.
Couldn't agree more
Any time we meet he is just himself, Bill and what you see is what you get. Love ya 💋
Can confirm from school projects that memorizing what to say is the easy part 🤪
The girl in the cafe is a great film!
Good man
Wow thanks
It is so funny to me that the sweet sounding British man, could summon from inside him a character like Davy Jones.
That's when you know they're great actors, IMO.
Basically the same technique for learning by heart, a speech you are to give. But then the hard part comes, which in a speech may be...how to make it interesting (via delivery, presentation).
He gets a lot of vampire roles. Any role live or anime vampire movies, he s in.
What a tedious, awful way to get lines into your head. I'm so thrilled that we have that in common!!
💜
💯💯💯
Best part??Auf wiedersehen pet..brilliant actor full stop.
I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday....
❤
Him in Lynn Whitfield bout to be villains vampire anginst each other
Without the phone on
Just go right into it - longer wait creates “more suffering”
I'm so superstitious too! I get it Billy.
That’s what I do!
The greatest villain actor ever!!
Kotal Careless He doesn’t play a villain. He plays a protagonist with opposing views.
I’d be a phenomenal actor
But
Can’t cry on cue
He is one of the best actors of the word
*world
Happy Birthday Bill Nighy. UR amazing legend. I loved Underworld Rise of the Lycans, 1, and 2 Evolution. I watch all of them. Underworld is awesome and romantic...! Underworld remind me of Resident Evil. Its complicated. Shaun of the Dead is great. Zombie movies r awesome. Pokemon Detective Pikachu is super awesome, I love Pokemon, I seen Pokemon, long time ago. Shows and movies. All of them. And Flushed Away is incredible. Seriously! UR great. May the Peace be with u Bill Nighy. From Harlingen Texas. December 12, 1949
December 12, 2023 through December 12, 3023
wasn’t he in UNDERWORLD?
Always be scary as Victor in Underworld movies
I learn excactly like that. 😊
But you haven't learned to spell *exactly.
No. You write it down longhand while speaking it aloud. And every other day you repeat that with the lines of yesterday. Former Theater actor here.
Different strokes for different folks.
However
I can laugh 😂
Hard Money
*Not to confuse with Bill Nye the science guy...
This is how Hemingway wrote.
Learning by wrote.
Or banging it out.
*rote
Makes since
*sense
@@l.a.3479right
First, My nickname Catt
I want o know why? world of Victor not middle just like I think
My fathos. JOHN said " ''incurable''
Finally we are good or bad
I'm free job free learn Because world not balance with every people not matter we from PALACE or from FARMER[HOUSE}
ThxYou.
.?
The joker 🃏
Que abuelo tan groso!
Not at all
Rote learning
bill nighy the science guy
What a stupid question...
Her voice is not great for interviewing. Thankfully, he did most of the talking.
It sound so boring.