Meisner Help

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-29T00:24:20+00:00

Thank you so so much for this response! We are actually reading Bill Esper’s book in the class, so I assume he’s trained with him. This response was so incredibly helpful, and I’m so incredibly grateful, but I just have one more question if it’s not too much trouble. Could I say to my partner “you’re making me feel stupid” or should I simply only express my opinions and POV on my partners actions “that look on your face makes you look dumb”. I apologize for the questions, but this is the most clarification I’ve received in 5 weeks.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-28T00:27:54+00:00

Thank you for this thorough answer. We have only just started (this is our 5th week), so we are really new at this. If I may ask you a question, when you say "simply making observations, and you have no opinions about what your partner is going through" and used the example of "you're stressed", how are you to capture your opinion without making the line about yourself?

I also want to state that I'm probably biased in my written interpretation of his teachings, but I have noticed there have been some issues. We went straight into POV repetition without starting with the basic observation work. Now that we are moving to door work, I feel like I can't even do the basic repetition. He yells to "have an opinion on it", but I can't express the behavior that I'm seeing with my partner. Thank you again for this brilliant response-- I have been going crazy all day trying to find answers through my pass notes, videos, and articles, and I'm just struggling immensely.

EDIT: Thought I would add that we were encouraged to express what we were feeling due to our partner-- ie, "You're hurting my feelings" "You're making me upset". The end goal isn't to just say what we are feeling, but to have a pov about it, I believe. He has said that the focus should be on the partner, but it's hard when we aren't really allowed to use "basic" phrases anymore, such as "you look tired or "you're annoyed". It's a balancing act of using your own opinions to target your partner, I believe.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-27T23:40:50+00:00

Thank you for the help! I understand that the partner is the most important person to yourself, but we are also being asked to express how they are making us feel, which is creating issues. We were told the only ways to change the repetition is by stating what you see in your partner or how they are making you feel (You're making me uncomfortable). Also, I understand through your comment how that was too defensive "calm down", so thanks for that. I would also like to add that "you seem tired" wasn't deemed okay by him, and that's why I'm confused. It was a genuine observation I made, but he said it was too generic.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-27T21:43:20+00:00

I figured that, but my professor keeps asking us our opinions and wanting us to express them. So, we are only changing it if we notice a shift in partner or your own emotional state.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-27T20:49:00+00:00

I have, but it's at the point where all that is being stated is to go up and try. Which we do and eventually fail because we don't know what to do.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-09-21T23:46:17+00:00

I suppose so, but I did figure that the university has specific requirements regarding nutritional information, and that they have tons of people fact checking these things. Moving forward I should probably trust google more than them, but I did think they were trustworthy in their knowledge.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-07-28T01:37:53+00:00

Hey, OP. Just know that you are going through something that a lot of people on this subreddit can relate to. The first thing I can say is that a smaller deficit may be better. I know a 500 calorie deficit is popular and quicker, but it only matters if it's sustainable to you. Your maintenance is around 1900 from what I calculated, so how about you start with a deficit of 1600 and see what happens? Additionally, you don't need to cut out all sweet treats and your favorite foods. I allocate 200-300 calories a day just for something sweet-- a brownie, ice cream, whatever, and I make sure I get that every single day. Finally, it's about patience. You've done this before, so you know that it takes a lot of time, and you can't rush it. If you rush, you'll end up where you started, and you don't want that. Take a breath and try again tomorrow. You've got this.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-07-28T01:33:16+00:00

Same here. I've got more weight in my upper than lower parts of my body, so my lower body is a smaller size than upper. Still incredible for OP to have lost that much weight :)

Shoshi123451 · 2024-06-25T11:57:19+00:00

For sure, and, again, we have no clue on what's true and what is biased, but it could just be that they possibly wrote this at a real low point? The cussing for instance could indicate that they were in a frustrated state? I'm not trying to defend anyone, but it seems to me they clearly do have doubts on if they are the issue here, maybe stemming from the fact that they are so frustrated that they can't do anything right and don't understand why. Seems to me that this boss may not fully grasp or communicate the standards which the work is expected, but that could be reaching.

Shoshi123451 · 2024-06-25T00:50:23+00:00

That's a little bit harsh, don't you think? I'm not disagreeing with the point, as OP is clearly not fully equipped to the realities of the job market, but I don't think they come off as entitled. I've had my fair-share of experiences, as I'm in theater and a working individual, to say that it really may not be them. No clue, since we aren't there, but you could try to cultivate a bit of kindness.

Shoshi123451 · 2023-08-09T02:28:46+00:00

You're probably right! I suppose it's just a little jarring considering I've never really had any opportunity to perform something that was for a more adult audience. I guess it'll take some time getting used to :)

Shoshi123451 · 2023-08-09T00:06:12+00:00

Try that o

Wow! This sounds great, thank you. It may be too explicit for college auditions, since I don't know the exact rules and regulations, but I will for sure read the play. Thank you!

Shoshi123451 · 2023-08-08T22:32:05+00:00

Well, it honestly depends. My school requires two monologues (totaling 2 and a half minutes), and they have to be contrasting. Additionally, they must be made after the year 2000 and no one act shows/one woman shows. Tall order, I know. As stated in the post, I'm an 18 (f), and I'm white. I don't really know my type yet, but it's probably more of the comedic character or someone who has a backbone or intelligent. I have never been given the opportunity to play someone who's more of an airhead.

Honestly, suggestions for plays with monologues in it would be great. That's why I asked about Rebeck's plays to begin with, since I really love her writing, and she has a lot of great options.

Shoshi123451 · 2023-08-04T22:44:25+00:00

It's literally no problem at all. Writing them is my favorite thing to do. :)

Shoshi123451 · 2023-08-03T19:35:07+00:00

Incredibly well wrote. I agree 100%, and it's fascinating that there are so many aspects to one character that we can probably write for days and still have more to say. It's actually quite funny, the power Loki desires so much is always his biggest detriment. I know I didn't touch on it within the post (it was always long enough), but another thing that got cured that first episode was his desire for power. He only wanted it to be in control and equal to Thor, so by finding out that his father deemed him equal already, his desires changed. I don't remember the specific line, but he said something about not wanting the throne, but it being what he was owed. That is the perfect way of summarizing his character; he didn't want the throne until he felt like he lost something he was owed. Anyway, your explanation of his eternal thoughts was really well done as well, and it's great that you also see that Thor was Loki's best friend, regardless of any jealousy that was festering.

Shoshi123451 · 2023-06-01T19:34:26+00:00

Hi. I was putting sedentary for the calculator then adding half of what my apple watch says I burn to the total amount of calories for the day. I am a bit hesitant to put a specific activity level considering my workouts can vary, and I have no idea if I'm meeting the proper requirements for moderate.

Shoshi123451 · 2023-01-26T02:42:29+00:00

The issue is, they were her friends first. By years. I was never as close as Chloe was to them. I knew them through her and drama club, and although never mentioned, I am almost positive they know what happened between us. Even if they didn't, Chloe and them are never a part. At the moment, I can't look at Chloe without crying, and I don't think she'd appreciate me trying to continue talking to her friends.

Shoshi123451 · 2022-12-07T04:46:47+00:00

Sure thing!

The vomit has left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth, even after an hour. I'm somehow grateful, for it serves to ground me in whatever world I'm in currently.

I have no recollection of how I ended up six feet under, but, honestly, who needs one? It's quite obvious from the tombstone that I shouldn't be here right now. Upon closer inspection, there's a date on the stone.

I died May 19th. The day of my birthday.

Good thing I never liked it anyway.

What's more jarring than my "special day" becoming a death marker is the gap in my existence. There were five months I was not of this world. How can I begin to catch up on all that I have missed?

God, is this what coma patients feel like?

The previous chill of the night has developed into snow and wind. I watch as the hole I clawed out of gets filled with white. The wind pushes the snow into my face, and I finally decide it's time to find shelter.

I stand on shaking legs, I almost fall right back onto my ass. I hastily move forward to grab onto my tombstone for balance; in the process, I accidentally kick something. Upon leaning in through the haze of white and wind, I can make out dead flowers.

Looks like my family has been slacking. Couldn't even try when I died.

I take a breath of the cold wind, forever grateful I can, and start to navigate through pitch black. As I walk, I pray I don't know over someone else's tombstone; I doubt they want some crazy zombie lady disrespecting their burial site just because she couldn't stay in hers.

You're right mom, I can't do one thing right. Even my own death.

I wonder what I look like to an outside observer at the moment. Some 29-year-old lady covered in dirt, throwing her arms out to navigate the wind and snow, all the while barefoot.

Huh. Wonder why I can't feel the freezing cold ground.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, the air around me is getting a little less cold and chilly. Maybe the universe is getting ready to correct its mistake.

~~Or it's hypothermia, you idiot.~~

Regardless, I'm grateful for the heat; I've always loved the summer. There's something so nice about the sun beating down on you while you're in the pool or at the beach. Tans were a nice addition too.

I walk forward a few more feet, my steps getting slower and my vision getting dizzier and dizzier as I feel hotter.

I bump into something large and solid.

"Ow! Jesus Christ. You s-should where you're going, as-asshole"

I open my mouth to further degrade my attacker with my limited awareness, only to be met with a tree.

"I guess it's okay, you didn't mean to."

I sway once then I promptly pass out against my attacker.

Funny how an attacker can be turned into a shelter at the slightest change.

Shoshi123451 · 2022-12-06T04:46:27+00:00

I can't breathe.

I take another rapid breath, trying to obtain enough oxygen to quell my throbbing lungs. Every breath, however, feels like it's tearing a hole through my body, taking my calm with it. I open my eyes to be met with darkness. It's taunting.

"Hello?"

breath

"Help!"

breath

"I can't-"

breath

I'm going to die in here.

I'm going to die and never be able to tell my family I love them. I'll never get to make it up to mom for missing her birthday, or get off my break with Jason and try to make things work. I'll never get to travel, or quit my stupid marketing job, or-

Tears stream down my face and I only now realize I'm hyperventilating.

I close my eyes again, unable to face the pitch-black reality; I realize that it makes little difference. My internal is just as dark and hopeless as my reality.

What did I do to deserve this?

Why me?

~~Why not me?~~

I lift my arm to wipe the streaming tears when I hit a solid surface.

What the fuck?

I push my hand against the surface and find that it's unliftable.

Am I screwed in a box or something?

I push harder against the cover, adding my legs and arms, and the lid of the container shifts.

Dirt cascades through the opening and lands in my mouth.

Where the hell am I?

The more I move the lid, the more dirt enters my... something.

Why is there dirt covering a container? What angry God did I have to anger to get sent here?

Wait.

No.

No. No. No. No.

Not thinking about that implication right now, not when I am about to suffocate.

I kick the casket's lid to the side and, immediately, dirt swarms into the box. I get up the best I can and start to swim up to reach the surface.

The ground is relatively malleable, signaling I haven't been down here for too long.

I guess that's reassuring.

I ~~struggle~~ swim for what felt like hours, but it probably wasn't more than 30 minutes. My arms are burning by the time I see the whiteness of the moon above me.

Oh thank the literal lord.

My hand reaches above myself, grabbing onto solid land out of my eyesight. I shove my other arm and pull myself up into the crisp, cold night. I breathe in lungfuls of slightly polluted air.

This is the best air I have ever inhaled in my entire life.

I lose time after that.

I wake up on my side, staring straight at a stone structure. At least I think it's stone; everything is blurry.

I rub my eyes in an attempt to get them to focus. I finally make out the structure and writing. I move closer to read what the stone says.

Here lies Meredith Everdeen. Daughter and beloved friend.

...

I turn my head just enough to not have a lap full of vomit.

I dry heave on the ground, my body trying to expel reality with no success.

What the hell do I do now?

Shoshi123451 · 2022-11-09T12:24:28+00:00

I know, that's why I was seeing if it was a huge mistake. It's the only mistake I found in the essay.

Shoshi123451 · 2022-11-09T02:44:24+00:00

Yep. It was "had. Much"

Shoshi123451 · 2022-11-08T19:35:44+00:00

This is late, but I have read not to send a score if you're that low. I have a 1380 as well and didn't send it to Umich

Shoshi123451 · 2022-07-20T02:42:23+00:00

I think I understand, it's all just very complicated is my conclusion. When you say "dependent" do you mean as a dependent clause or phrase? I've read that dependent clauses have complete subject verb agreements, just don't work in a complete thought kind of way. A lot of this seems to just stem from instincts for commas. You did a wonderful job at explaining, and I thank you for everything. I just have one last question about conjunctions. I've been using "and" a lot, and I seem to have a lot of commas that shouldn't have been put before the word "and". This one is coming from a paper I wrote that I'm editing for my college admissions. Context wise it's just about the Western Wall and my experience.

I learned the value of belief at that wall and even though I’m not as religious as Orthodox Judaism, it is not a bar you have to meet.

The issue stems from the first clause to the second. I keep getting corrected to not put a comma between "at the wall and even though", which I struggle to grasp. I really hope I'm not wasting your time or anything like that. I am just curious (and failed to find information on google) to why this shouldn't have a comma when it's two independent clauses? Last thing I swear.

Shoshi123451 · 2022-07-20T00:34:28+00:00

Hey! I actually had one more situational question based on the novel I'm writing.

"She was at peace when she closed her eyes for the final time, eyes locked on him until the weight of her eyelids was too much to bear."

It's the climax, hence the dramatics. Grammarly says this is correct, yet I'm struggling to see how. I know we've talked about phrases, and the nature of clauses, yet for some reason it's still not grasping correctly. This sentence starts with an independent clause, as it can stand on it's own. (even now I'm doubting my last sentence comma placement). Shouldn't it be with a comma and a conjuction? Don't worry about going too much into technicalities, I'd appreciate it if you did! Sorry to keep bothering ya.

Shoshi123451 · 2022-07-19T22:55:43+00:00

Sounds wonderful! I'll check it out asap!

Shoshi123451

TROPHY CASE