Henry Winkler Talks Acting During Inspirational Vulture Festival
Vulture Festival this week has helped us focus on those inspire.
Henry Winkler sat down during a special virtual panel to talk about his incredible career and big Emmy win for “Barry.” He gave some hope during a special acting class as hundreds of guests listened.
“If you will it, is not just a dream,” he emphasized to the audience about keeping their aspirations alive even in he midst of the pandemic.
The conversation began on how to memorize a monologue.
“First, do not panic because you panic, your brain stops,” he said. “Get a red pen red pencil actually pencil is better than a pencil, red pencil. Now, a monologue has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And if it’s very clear in the writing if it’s written in at all Well, every time there is a new thought in your monologue. Put up, put a slash right there. So you separate all the thoughts.Now you read it again. Now all of a sudden it starts to make some sort of sense you’re going from one thought. Another thought. Another thought. Okay, So now you know the thoughts. What is it that you want.”
He went on to speak on positive actions when being artists and to not just wait by the phone, which he says is ‘destructive.’
Winkler also noted the importance of how you have “keep your motor going,” as he described some of his best acting techniques to try with a scene partner when things might not be clicking. He recommended sitting back-to-back in chairs and rehearsing from the script to get a true sense on how to listen to each other.
“I believe training is important.”
And, on a second note when working your craft alone during these crazy times until you can get back on set he said jokingly, “One of the actors best tools is an extra pillow, because when it just gets to be too much you beat the crap out of it on your bed”
Winkler proved himself to be a dedicated artist during the hour-long talk where he wrapped thing up by saying, “The best acting advice I ever got was that you need to listen — It works in scene or in a relationship. The ear is the center of your being.“
Curated with the mind of a critic and the heart of a fan, this year’s virtual pop culture extravaganza has for many years brought everything you love about Vulture to life. But just because we can’t be in-person this year doesn’t mean the 2020 festival was not there when you need it. In this, the most trying of times, it brough a respite: a full week of live virtual events and special content including cast reunions, an acting class, and unforgettable conversations that will bring your favorite creators and stars right into your home.
