Memorize Like a Pro
The TV/Film industry is fast-paced and constantly changing. Sometimes an actor gets weeks to memorize their lines; other times, the script has last minute rewrites and they’re learning their scene the morning of filming. So how do actors memorize scripts in a bind without it affecting their performance? What tools can you use to improve your memorization skills and ensure you're ready for any situation?
Next time you have an audition with a tight turnaround or a filming day with pages upon pages of lines, don’t fret! We’ve got a few tried and true memorization methods you can try to learn lines like a pro. Everyone’s brains learn differently, so mix and match to find what is most effective for you!
Read it. Get familiar with the scene. Do your script breakdown—if you’re not sure what this looks like, check out our TV/Film Fundamentals class to learn how to decode any script. Getting a basic understanding of the script’s structure will help you memorize better later on and ensure you’re performing the scene with specificity and confidence.
Put it in your own words. While not necessarily helpful for being “word perfect”, this is a great way to start the learning process by internalizing the major story beats and what your character wants. Try to improv your way through your lines once or twice to help you find the movement of the scene (this can also be a helpful tool to discover new emotions or insights that you hadn’t found at first glance).
Go beat by beat. As you start learning, take it one small chunk at a time, and get that down before moving onto the next one. Then, try putting those chunks together later on. This prevents your brain from getting overwhelmed with the entire script by breaking it down into manageable sections.
Write it out. Writing by hand on paper can improve recall by increasing your brain activity and concentration. Writing in repetition is one of the easiest ways to memorize lines quickly.
To test your memory, try writing out just the first letter of each word and reciting the lines from there. This is a great way to challenge your brain to remember everything, while still having a small clue if you get stuck.
Speak it. Start saying your lines out loud over and over. As you get more comfortable, cover the next line in the script so you can practice guessing what’s next. Speak it to yourself on walks, while cooking, in the car, in all different scenarios to cement the words in your brain.
Pro Tip: Be careful not to say your lines with the same exact inflection each time—you can accidentally memorize a way of speaking the scene which makes it harder to play with the emotions later on. Try learning your lines with as little emotion and inflection as possible to start, and experiment with saying the lines in several different ways later on.
Listen to your lines. Record yourself speaking the scene on a voice note app—it’s helpful to differentiate between your lines and the other characters with slightly different voices. Listen on repeat (this is a great option for practicing while you’re in your car).
Practice with a friend. This is great to do a little later on into the memorization process. A friend can read the other character’s lines, help prompt your line without giving the full answer, and correct you if you’re mixing up words.
Get silly. Once you’ve got your lines mostly down, try them in funny new ways. Sing them. Do a funny voice. This helps your brain memorize the lines in different contexts while keeping it fun and engaging, so that the adrenaline and “new environment” of set doesn’t affect your memorization.
Use a line learning app. While they come in a variety of styles, most line learning apps involve recording all the lines in a scene and then acting as your reading partner, leaving a space for your parts so you can practice. Most apps have a monthly or yearly membership cost, but it can be well worth it if you have lots of tight turnaround projects… and you don’t want to keep bugging friends or family to be your reading partner.
Cold Reading Technique. While not exactly a memorization technique, learning how to do great cold reads is very helpful for performing scenes under time pressure. Learning how to break down a script, find your point of view, and confidently perform it in a short period of time teaches you how to ace any scene, even if you aren’t memorized.
Remember, memorization is a skill. The more you practice, the better you’ll become. Over time, you’ll develop a routine that works great for you, so when that 24 hour turnaround audition or day-of rewrite comes, you’ll be ready.
Want to hone your script breakdown and cold reading skills so you can feel confident performing any material, whether fully memorized or not? Check out our TV/Film Fundamentals Class for Kids/Teens and Adults and Audition Technique Class for Kids/Teens and Adults to keep practicing and keep an eye out for our next Cold Read Intensive of the Month!