Secret of How to Select and Deliver a Monologue | Examples

Remember, a well-written, prepared and practiced monologue makes a casting director remember you. 

A monologue (from Greek �???????? from �???? m�nos, "alone, solitary" and ????? l�gos, "speech") is presented by a single Actor (character), most often to express their mental thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience.

Characteristics of a Good audition monologue and its delivery

• It should be of less than two minutes. Two minutes is more than enough to show your talent. In fact, remember, the auditors have already made their decision after 30 seconds, maybe even less.
• The monologue should have a clear objective. You can't just stand there and talk. You have to imagine of a scene and have talk to someone you've imagined, and not to a lifeless camera or a casting director.
• The monologue should have a distinct beginning, middle, and an end. 

1. A beginning: A strong first sentence to capture attention.
2. A middle: Lots of juicy content. 
3. An end: A strong finish. When your monologue has a structure, the auditors are more likely to remember you.

• It must Contain conflict. Drama cannot exist without conflict. Who wants to see a lifeless audition? Boring...

Choosing a Monologue

Actors often get confused choosing a monologue. But it's very simple: Pick one you love, which thrills you. And if it thrills you, it will definitely impress the casting directors!
Also, it's important to choose a few contrasting monologues. Have at least two monologues ready to go at all times:
A contemporary dramatic
A contemporary comedic

Caution!

While performing your monologue-

• DO NOT CRY.
• DO NOT LAUGH.
• DO NOT SHOUT

Here are 2  good monologues, especially written and filmed by us for our students-Zeeshan and Yash Rajput. They got a break in theater and film! 

These are contemporary dramatic monologues

Written and directed by acting coach Kiran Pande for his student- Zeeshan

Need Help?

Join my personal acting coaching.  Contact: 

91 9920991661

Secret of How to Select and Deliver a Monologue | Examples

7 Easy Steps to Create a Top Monologue and Grab a Role

Actor Shahid Kapoor's revenge drama Haider, an adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, struck both critical and commercial gold. It became the first Kashmir-based film in many years to click with the audience and has reportedly been declared the fifth highest-rated crime drama of all times. Shahid played the role of a young student in the insurgency-hit Kashmir of the mid-1990s. His intense and convincing performance won him the Stardust award for Best Actor in a Drama

To become a great performer like young Shahid Kapoor, the beginning is about learning how to prepare good monologues

Selection and how you deliver your Monologue is a prime factor in an actor�s selection for a role. 

The majority of actors makes a deadly mistake of just memorizing the lines of a monologue and spit it out losing an opportunity of grabbing their dream role.
You must remember that a monologue, as a matter of fact is a 2 minute mini film where there is only one character and that is you! This 2 minute film, like any other should have all the ingredients to make it a hit!
This becomes more important in the case of a monologue because your audience is not simply cine viewers, but is a critic- a casting director!

Success Steps

1. Like script analysis requirement for a film, analyze your monologue and character carefully
2. What is the objective of monologues and how monologues achieves it
3. A good monologue should have good dynamics i.e. Changes. This means there is something different at the end than at the beginning (emotions, activities or in the story) 
4. An ideal comedic monologue should be faster and illogical, a bizarre, with unexpected changes in the storyline and opposite from seconds to seconds.
5. A dramatic monologue should have a �conflict� shown as a sharp change in emotions, behavior and reactions as the main objective of a monologue.
6. Now based on the above analysis, prepare your monologue scene creating the character.
7. Finally, live and perform truthfully in that character

Example

Create a rhythm change after the first line of your monologue. Many schools and individuals may disagree on so many areas of d performance, but one thing I�ve never heard any disagreement on is that they want to be surprised. 

So, let�s imagine the first line of your monologue is something, like,

"Muzhay Tumhara Paisa Nahin Chahiye, Bus Tum Sirf Meri Baat Suno"
And the second line of your monologue is
�Muzhe Lagta Hai Ki Jo Kuch Main Kahata Haun, Tumhe Use se Koi Matlab Nahin� Hai�
(�I don�t want your money, I want you to listen to me,�) and (�It seems like nothing I say means anything to you.�)

Now, stop after you�ve delivered your first line! Pause to get it registered by your imaginary scene partner. Then taking a breath, change your speed, volume of your voice, emotions and using your hands (like raising and pointing your finger), Bang! Just shoot your second line. The objective is to create conflict and sensation!
Don�t make a mistake, like other actors who memorize and simply blurt out lines!

Here is a good monologue written and filmed by the author for his student Zeeshan in author's coaching "Bollywood Best Actor Academy"

7 Easy Steps to Create a Top Monologue and Grab a Role

Shocking 7 Lies Some of the Bollywood Schools Teach

Bollywood Acting Schools

You might have learned great lessons in film or theater school, but not every program prepares you for the realities of this industry called Bollywood

1. Go to every audition for everything�even if you are not right for the part, it is good for the Casting Director to see you.

A. He/ she may remember you for future, even if you are not selected for one.
B. You will learn the practical of auditions/camera acting
Trust us, the casting directors does not appreciate that even if it is an open audition call.

2. You need to learn how to perform in 10 different genres of monologues for films and theatre auditions.

Wrong! You need well-practiced, just 2 or 3 types of good monologues of different genre and one a mixed one, suiting to your profile. But if they want more, they will call you back and give you more lines (sides).

3. You can play a large age range.

No. If they want a 50-year-old, they will hire a near looking 50 year old.
(Exception: some like in serials, especially Ekta Kapoor�s Balaji productions where generations by generation�s actors are shown young)

They don�t need a 22-year-old for 50 years who can grow a nice beard.

4. It�s all about the craft (your great acting ability).

Not really� it�s about the craft when you are selected and giving your final �Take�get the job, but getting selected in auditions is about the business of a professional approach.

5. You should dress for auditions like the character you are auditioning. Or like as if you are going for a job interview.

Unless the role is for a businessman, you can always dress neatly in a Shirt and a Trouser / Salwar and Kurta. Avoid black or white top. The best is to ask about the dress when you get a called for an audition.

6. You need to mail your pictures and r�sum� to every Co ordinator, agent, manager, and Casting Director.

Yes, and you should also send Samosa or Batata Vada along with your resume so that they don�t dirty their fingers. Remember, if you send your pictures and resume without meeting them and knowing that they really need it, everything goes into the archives or dustbin. The best is to meet them personally and give your details if they need it

 7. And finally focusing too much on, like building a website, how to find a co-ordinator or agent, how to take great headshot and 50 different pictures, how to put a show-reel together, promoting yourself on social networking sites, etc.

You did learn how to act in every direction, just no one taught you how to be an actor.
Based on source
* Note:  However, there are some good schools Like NSD Delhi, FTII Pune and Berry John Acting Studio to name a few 

Shocking 7 Lies Some of the Bollywood Schools Teach