ACTING LESSON 19: HOW TO SIGHT-READ A SCRIPT (Acting Coach NYC)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2025
- Another free lesson from Skype acting-coach John Windsor-Cunningham, showing how to read a script without your head looking down at the script all the time. More advice freely available at www.Windsor-Cunningham.com
This guy is an absolute boss.
I absolutely appreciate that you have made all these wonderful videos and share your knowledge so freely and whole heartedly and with so much genuine desire to help aspiring artists. Thank you so much. You are just so wonderful.
Very, very kind of you to say so ! I was afraid my "happiness" video was rather repetitive, but it's second half will appear in a few days and is planned to be very much more interesting. Still. Best wishes to you. John www.Windsor-Cunningham.com
He truly is wonderful. Actually, I took his lesson to read books instead. Which makes it easier than ever before.
Thanks a lot. The finger marker is brilliant. No, YOU do not have a boring face. Your humor was charming as ever!
that voice tho sounds brilliant
My good sir, your face is most decidedly not boring at all! Thank you.
Same when sight-reading music. You are looking at least one if not two bars ahead because you can take in and remember that small number of notes. Interestingly, making yourself look ahead in this way, whether music or reading actually makes sight-reading EASIER than staring at the word/note you are going to say next
That's so true, and - of course - one can gets better at it. I find that my first 'take' for a voice-over is often the best if I've not actually looked at it yet! But there's something 'personal' about us being able to do this, perhaps, something to do with enjoying what seems to be 'coming next' almost more than what we're doing now! Shakespeare was probably talking about himself when he let Hamlet say 'The readiness is all' ! J.
@@NewYorkActingCoach I really like that idea of enjoying or being eager for what's coming next. It's that excitement, that joy of discovery which is always at its peak on first sight of new words. Thank you for responding, your videos are very helpful.
Great video, it is a pleasure to listen such an intelligent man
Well, thank you! If you want to see my at my more UN-intelligent then go to my other website www.Madenglishman.com and watch video number '7'' (only that one!
Best wishes, John (or more serious stuff at www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)
To the point, and easily understood. I am glad you addressed about printing out the script in larger font so that one doesn't have to put on reading glasses.
Phenomenal tutorial. I'm very grateful you took the time to make this video and I'm glad I discovered it.
I'm going to implement this into my podcast!
This video makes alot of sense. Thank you
Your great John , I appreciate when I can listen to your encouragement. As much as it Sounds ridiculous I never fully understood what side reading really meant. I was just told to read anything but not how to do it properly. It’s encouraging to learn this is something that can very much be improved upon.
Thanks John so helpful and keep being you. TM
I wear contact lenses as well!Your face isn't boring!!I can't wait to watch your films!!Thank you for your generosity!!!
I’m young wanting to be a actress an this helped a lot!!! Thank you.X
Then do it, dont think or talk about it, do student films, any am0ateur theatre or school stuff, anything, lost of it. That's what successful actors have all mostly done.
JOhn
We used to read the Caucasian Chalk circle like this in high school. I remember reading Grusha Vashnadze and it was hilarious
I love you. Seriously. 😍
Thank you. This is invaluable. I am in the legal profession. Often I'm called upon to speak publicly from a script of sorts or using the dreaded Powerpoint..Rather than merely "reading" directly from the script or slides, I use your techniques, which makes for a more fluid and indeed more human presentation. Regards, Philip
You're welcome. If you ever want specific coaching I charge as little as possible so I'm not trying to get at your money, it's just interesting to help lawyers, politicians doctors etc ( !) Best contacted not here though, but on the 'Contact' page on my website (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)
It's so hard to find teachers who are actually CLEAR and intelligent about the way they teach. Stoked to come across this video! THUMBS UP
Well thanks! If you ever need specific help I coach on skype or in New York, and am best contacted through the 'Contact' page on my website www.Windsor-Cunningham.com or my email jwcactor@yaho.com (and I charge as little as I can!) but I rarely see messages here. Best wishes anyway, - maybe you'll manage by just trying to "sense" what other teachers are aiming to say .. ? . . John
Remarkable, loved this situation and helped me a lot. Hoping to show this kind of action someday, Thank you!
This really help me to how to read scrip skills. Mr. John, you are a good acting GURU.
I love this man.
More excellent advice! Thank you! Off to practice this!
Your lessons are very good, each time I watch a video of yours. I recommend you to actors I know .
Very kind of you, thanks! My latest, - "Shakespeare's Comedy Characters for Experienced Actors" was a result of he title being suggested, and I'm not sure what other subjects I should cover. Suggestions welcomed. Meanwhile best wishes to you. John Windsor-Cunningham
This content is so engaging
This makes so much since. Thank you!
Thank you for this exercise, I am a new actor seeking all the training and help I can get. I appreciate your wisdom ❤️
Damn ! He's really good.
Thank you love your videos
Better ones coming soon when I've time! But thanks. John Windsor-Cunningham
awesome , wish i took up acting when i was younger , never realised it was this easy
Age isn't the main issue, although yes, it helps if people can start young, but being an actor is rarely "easy" - and this exercise only clarifies one of a thousand things one has to learn, and the competition for jobs means one has to be brilliant at it! John Windsor-Cunningham
@@NewYorkActingCoach I didn't get into acting for 1 reason ... I thought i dont look good enough . every thing in this lesson is me, and how i read and do things , it taught me allot about myself
A big lesson for beginners. Thank you sir
Dozens of very, very experienced actors, hundreds of politicians, and thousands of priests, have been trying to learn this for years, but not keeping at it enough to become expert, and wondering why nobody Likes listening to them read! Sorry to sound harsh, but this isn't for beginners, as it needs to be studied until the 'beginner' gets advanced work. It is an advanced skill if practiced enough. John Windsor-Cunningham
Great teacher! Very helpful videos :) 20 - U.K
Gold right here!
I am always fascinated about how you, Mr Cunningham, pronounce your 't's. I am fascinated because I can not do it as well & as strong as you do. however though I am not an actor I like your videos & admire you.
Sorry, 300 emails asking for advice today, so I can only give more specific help if people come to me for coaching. Sorry. JOhn
No no its absolutely okay. Thank you Mr Cunningham.
You are amazing.
Oh my gosh. Thank you so much sir. This video was helpful, I have never done a cold reading for an audition before and I have an audition tomorrow. I feel nervous but your video helped me. Thanks.
You're welcome. And get to the audition 30 minutes or more early, so as to have time - if the script is available - to read it lots of times before you actually go in. John Windsor-Cunningham
Thanks I got a call back. It was a zoom audition.
There is a little problem I have concerning "how to use the punctuation marks in acting. Thank you sir
@@peacemicheal2379 Well done! John Windsor-Cunningham
This is incredible.
Thank you! John Windsor-Cunningham
Thank you ! John Windsor-Cunningham
Thanks a lot sir for sharing such a valuable advice
You're welcome! John Windsor-Cunningham
you are amazing sir !! keep going
Very kind, thank you! Yes, I intend to 'keep going'! Best wishes to you too. John (www.Windsor-Cunningham.com)
Thank you, You really helped me so much with this video. I loved your way of training and the way you speak. I ll check out your website ☺
Best wished for you too.
Brilliant :-) love him !!
John,you're lovely!!
Awesome! Genius! Thank you!
You're welcome! John Windsor-Cunningham
Great info.
Thank u Sir 👍
thanks.. such a great video
brilliant.
I feel very inspired after watching his videos. But how do I convince my parents that I want to be an actor, not an engineer? I am totally interested in drama and theatre.
I cannot answer such a deep question in a few words here. Use the 'Contact' page on my website (Windsor-Cunningham.com) or my direct email (jwcactor@yahoo.com) But the short answer is that if you really want to be an actor or a priest or an athlete you will just do it, but you may not understand how difficult it is to get work. It is complicated and your parents are welcome to ask questions too. John Windsor-Cunningham
Just like reading music. You don't concentrate on the script. You scan. Bits that your brain recognises. The rest is just intuition.
So brilliant..
Great! 😘😀🤗👍🏼
Coming from a us born actor, the British have a much better understanding of how to act I’ve found.
Not true, - well, sorry, I mean I disagree. British people are impressed by American actors and the other way round as well. Both countries produce wonderful actors, but of different styles because their use of language and what their films are about are different. Both can be good. Both can be rubbish. The point is that all actors, from any country, simply have to work incredibly hard or they will be dull. That is what makes acting good, not where they are from. John Windsor-Cunningham
he definitely no's what he is doing. that is for sure.
ok so im a bit confused.I was taught to hold my script in left hand only. ??
Well I dont like to disagree with any other teachers, but I dont see why the hand you hod a script in can matter, especially as in the way I show here nobody would be able to see my hands if I held the script lower, or the camera was nearer - they would not even know I was reading!! My point is that whatever hand you use you can read well and keep your eyes UP. Sorry if I wasn't clear. John Windsor-Cunningham
Respect
Can I meet you professor
I coach, which includes giving advice about all aspects of acting - online on Skype - and it is best not to ask for more details (or send yours) here. Use the 'Contact' page on the website ( Windsor-Cunningham.com ) or my direct email ( jwcactor@yahoo.com ) and let me know what kind of help you want, and if I feel I am the right person to help I will send you details. If I think you should go to somebody else I will say how to do that. John Windsor-Cunningham
That reading in a short period of time was so difficult, can you just practice that with reading books?
Can't reply now. And please dont use this as I may not see it. Use my email jwcactor@yahoo.com and not til after November 20th as I'm in a show in a play in New York and insanely busy. SOrry. And, in short, books may do no harm, but you need to get DOING it, anywhere, student films, community theatre, any classes at all, but DO NOT please reply here and not til NOV 20. JOhn
Great video Thanks for sharing
What script is that from?
God question, because it's a stunning speech, said by the character 'Cromwell', in the play A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS by Robert Bolt - one of the few playwrights around whose choice of words is CLEVER, INTERESTING, FUNNY, WISE and WORTH LISTENING TO in a world where people who can't SPELL Shakespeare are doing 'translations' of it! (It's near the end of the play). Try and get into a production playing him and you'll feel like a God. John.
you could turn anyone into brando
Maybe. But sadly it takes time! And finding people who want to be 'B' - (or like the other stars who have managed to do good acting in SOME of their work, and not be ruined by unfriendly directors) - is impossible as I'm still working on my own problems! But thanks for the remark, and best wishes back to you. John Windsor-Cunningham
I'm 66 years young and had different path's in life and thought why not give it a go, acting that is. I wonder how much he charges for total novices.?
If you're serious, and I mean if you want to work seriously then best to get in touch please through the 'Contact' page n my website (Windsor-Cunningham.com) - and happy to help but getting jobs as an actor is bloody hard work. John Windsor-Cunningham
What if you have dyslexia?.... 😐 😑
Then practice more in advance on the actual script, work out what the lines really mean so that you 'know' them. IN short - I don't know - ! - but keep working at it. John Windsor-Cunningham