# Bonus 10: The Art of Acting with Alan Burgon

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/re-dracula-6265099/bonus-10-the-art-of-acting-with-alan-burgon
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/re-dracula-6265099/bonus-10-the-art-of-acting-with-alan-burgon.md
Podcast: [Re: Dracula](https://stenobird.com/podcast/re-dracula-6265099)
Published: 2024-11-18T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://redracula.live/
Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/afp-898815-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/1d554b02-9703-458b-8212-9f2c5e83462d/episodes/1c86b988-d8e2-4cd4-981d-da827a28d5ae/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=1d554b02-9703-458b-8212-9f2c5e83462d&awEpisodeId=1c86b988-d8e2-4cd4-981d-da827a28d5ae&feed=MrfL0mVE
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/re-dracula-6265099/episodes/bonus-10-the-art-of-acting-with-alan-burgon
Duration seconds: 2987

## Resource

Actor Alan Burgon discusses the psychological nuances of character work and the challenges of portraying Van Helsing. The conversation explores the intersection of personal identity, accent work, and the discipline of professional acting.

## Highlights
- Main idea: True character work requires molding oneself into the character rather than forcing the character into a personal mold
- Practical takeaway: Using specific accents, like RP, can create a distinct psychological version of the performer
- Failure mode: Relying on mimicry rather than exploration can lead to a hollow performance
- Main idea: Directing should focus on providing space for actors to explore rather than strictly imposing blocking
- Practical takeaway: Professional networking and active social media presence remain vital for visibility in the industry

## Topics

Acting technique, Character development, Audio drama, Theater production, Voice acting, Directing philosophy, Professional acting career

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Introduction to Alan Burgon: An introduction to Alan Burgon's diverse career in film, theater, and audio drama.
- 4:30 — Early Influences and Performance: Alan discusses his childhood passion for performance and early formative experiences.
- 8:20 — Founding Open House Theatre: A look into the creation and history of the Open House Theatre Company in Vienna.
- 13:00 — The Process of Character Empathy: Exploring the difficulty of finding an emotional anchor within a character like Van Helsing.
- 16:30 — The Importance of an Outside Ear: How collaborative feedback and external ears refine vocal performances and takes.
- 20:10 — Accents and Identity: How performing in different accents, such as RP, alters the actor's sense of self.
- 35:20 — Directing and Actor Autonomy: Alan's philosophy on directing, focusing on allowing actors to explore movement and character.

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## Transcript

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