Concentration

• There are few things that we can control when we walk into court each day.

• As unstable and unpredictable an environment that the courtroom is, there is one thing that we still have control over: where we put our attention.

• We can put it all on ourselves or on something else outside of yourself.

Concentration

• In other words, we can “see” or we can “be seen.”

Concentration

• The essential building block for an actor (i.e., his DNA) is his concentration.

• An actor must be the master of his concentration.

Concentration

• An actor must be able to gather his attention and put it where he wants to put it – on set, off set – any place, any time.

Concentration

• The ability to focus your attention at will is critical for every performing artist.

• Concentration is the muscle that allows you to focus. It’s the first necessary essential thing.

• The type of concentration that I’m referring to is a focused alertness with a specific intention.

• Here are two examples.

Concentration

• First, an Olympic runner lining up at the starting line right before the gun goes off.

Concentration

• Second, a paramedic or first responder in a moment of crisis without all of the chaos. They take control of the situation immediately. This is the kind of focus that both acting, and litigation, demands.

Concentration

• “To take the heat off yourself – to transfer the point of concentration outside of yourself – is a big battle won.” – Sanford Meisner