How To Cope With Stagefright

Promoting Safe & Healthy Workplaces in the Performing Arts and Motion Picture & Video Industries Since 1998 Volume 9, Issue 2, February 2007 How To Cope With Stagefright stage fright. What you need to focus on is: “I am obligated to do what I’ve auditioned to do, or what I’ve been accepted to do, regardless of my feelings.” Acknowledge your anxiety, yes, but then complete the message with the thought that, “Nevertheless, regardless of how I feel, I am going to do my best.” How To Cope With Stagefright ............................................1-2 Coping With Stress .................2 CITT Student Night.................2 New Crane Operator Certification Regulations .............................3 Emergency Procedures for New Locations .............................3-4 Safety Quotes ........................4 Courses ..................................4 A motivating energy A matter of confidence People who suffer from stage fright tend to tell themselves things like, “I will never survive this,” or “I will never overcome this,” and it’s this thinking that causes the destructive response. Often stage fright is inspired by a fear of failure, or of public humiliation or embarrassment. We need to believe that failures are learning experiences, not closed doors. We often learn more from our mistakes and failures than we learn from our successes. I don’t know who said it, but I like the statement, “Failure is not having failed, it’s failing to get up again.” When we are in a high state of arousal, whether we’re frightened or euphoric, the physiology is very similar; it’s the message we’re telling ourselves when we’re in that state of arousal. It’s a matter of redefining the anxiety, of giving a positive interpretation to those feelings. Stage fright is just a normal part of performing, a form of anxiety which can also be a beneficial, motivating energy as opposed to a scary feeling. Mature ego A mature person’s identity and self-concept are not overly tied to their performance. They understand that a given performance is simply a temporary action or situation, and they know that they are bigger than this one moment, and that they will survive regardless of the outcome of the next hour or two on stage. Get used to it! Stage fright never goes away, and this is an aspect of reality that people need to come to terms with. Being professional means learning to perform regardless of www.shape.bc.ca 1 On stage you’re an actor An important skill for any performer is plain old acting, the ability to fake confidence and calmness. It’s a life skill we learn early on; as children being teased by other kids we pretend that it doesn’t bother us, and right there we’re learning valuable skills. Now, some performers respond that if they’re faking it then they aren’t being authentic. Well, it’s not about being authentic, it’s about being responsible. You have a job to do. Relaxation techniques Before you go on, take a few deep breaths, but remember, always exhale first. When people are anxious they tend to engage in shallow breathing, which means that they are not emptying their lungs fully after each breath. So they’re full of stale air, lacking oxygen, and when they try to breathe in they say, a little panicked, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” So remember, blow out first and then take a few deep breaths. Another thing to do before a performance is clench your fist very hard, then release and stretch your fingers all the way out. Do this two or three times and it should relax the muscles. Those two exercises performed together should be enough to take the edge off, to provide a little bit of physical relaxation just before a performance. Another thing I recommend is taking a throat lozenge, which relaxes the throat, and take a drink of water to hydrate your mouth and throat. Coping With Stress How we perceive a stress-provoking event and how we react to it determines its impact on our health. To help us understand and deal with stress, the Canadian Mental Health Association has posted an informative 19 page booklet for download. The booklet is available at: www.cmha.ca/bins/content_ page.asp?cid=2-28-30&lang=1 Focus on the performance These observations about fear and responsibility are things you need to understand psychologically; don’t repeat them like a mantra before going on. When you’re out on stage, don’t think about whether you’re succeeding or not, just focus on the performance, think about your message, about the feelings you’re trying to convey to your audience. Focus on what you want the audience to see, or hear or feel. CITT Student Night On February 2nd, SHAPE participated in the 4th Annual CITT Student Night at Douglas College by setting up an information booth, meeting with students and handing out information. Students from SFU, Douglas College and Malaspina University-College were among those in attendance. SHAPE was happy to donate a free Occupational First Aid Level One course to one lucky winner of the evenings events. Marty Clausen, SHAPE’s Health & Safety Consultant is always available to come out to discuss safety in the Film and Performing Arts with students -- at no cost. For more information, contact SHAPE at 604.733.4682 or email Marty Clausen directly at martyc@shape.bc.ca. Can’t please eveyone You have to accept that people in the audience have different preferences and like different things. It doesn’t mean that what you’re delivering is invalid. If people don’t love your performance it doesn’t mean they don’t like you, it simply means they like or prefer something different. Dr. Marilyn S. Miller is a registered psychologist providing career and personal counseling in Toronto. She has worked with performers and business professionals since 1981 and is “particularly aware of the special needs of creative people.” For more information on Dr. Marilyn S. Miller, check out her website at www.drmarilynmiller.com Group support Members of your group or your crew can remind you, “Look, this is just one performance, it’s not your career. Do the best you can and try to enjoy it.” Sometimes saying something humorous can be enough to deflect tension and ease anxiety. And also remember that the other members of your group are there in the same boat with you and if something should go wrong, they’re there to help cover for you, and that can give you confidence . 2 promoting safety and health in the performing New Crane Operator Certification Regulations tower cranes. There is an exemption that applies to cranes either under five tons or with a boom length less than 25 feet. Bridge cranes are not included in this regulation. Existing Operators are not “Grandfathered” with the possible exception of operators who recently received their Certificate of Qualifications issued by ITAC after passing a practical assessment. The operator of a crane must have an appropriate trade qualification valid in BC or be an apprentice indentured in the appropriate trade in BC, or have equivalent qualifications as determined by the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission after the following dates: Emergency Procedures for Film Sets & Locations Recently, there have been two reported location fires. SHAPE is issuing this alert as a reminder of the importance of location inspection and emergency procedures. Scout Location •Any hazards? (ie. fire, asbestos, exposed electrical, confined spaces, cliffs etc.). •Note access and egress routes for crew and emergency personnel. •Time and distance to nearest hospital with emergency room. •Consult owner/manager of the location for any known hazards, limitations or safety requirements (some locations may have policies where everyone is required to where CSA approved footwear and or hardhats). Starting July 1, 2007, WorkSafeBC will begin to enforce a Regulation requiring that all operators of boom, tower and mobile cranes in BC hold a certificate proving competency. Currently the BC Association for Crane Safety is the only organization with the authority to certify crane operators in BC. The operator must be registered with the BCACS which means that they are either waiting for assessment or have a level 1, 2 or 3 certificate. The registration document puts the operator in the queue for assessment to obtain a level 2 or 3 certification as soon as possible. Level 1 is a permit that allows a trainee operator to work under the direct supervision of a qualified operator. As the worker gains skills he/she may ask for assessment and be granted a higher level of certification. The new regulation applies to operators of boom trucks; mobile cranes; tower cranes and self erecting (a) for a mobile crane operator, except a boom truck operator, after January 1, 1999; (b) for a tower crane operator in the construction industry, after January 1, 1999; (c) for an operator of a boom truck Inform/Communicate with a rated capacity of more than 10 tonnes (11 tons), after January •Workers have the right to know if there is a possibility of exposure to 1, 2000. hazardous materials. Certification from other jurisdic- •Department Heads should be intions must be upgraded to meet formed and know they have access to information regarding a new location the BC practical assessment. well before their crew goes there. More information on the Reg- •The crew (this includes construculation or Guidelines, and/or tion, set deck and any first arrivals) register with the BC Associa- should be given an orientation talk tion for Crane Safety at www. including emergency procedures and bcacs.ca or more information at possible hazards specific to each location. cranesafe@worksafebc.com •If any changes to safety procedures may occur a safety talk should be given (by the 1st AD or Supervisor in charge) explaining alternate safety precautions. g arts and motion picture and video industries 3 The key to safety is you •Emergency procedures and call numbers should be posted at each location and crew must know who the 1st aid attendant is and how to contact them. SHAPE SAFETY COURSES Courses must be paid in advance to SHAPE. Courses may be subject to cancellation. We would be happy to book a class for you if your group has the minimum number of participants. Call 604-733-4682 ext. 250 for further details. Additional courses may be added on demand. Full course descriptions available at www.shape.bc.ca/courses/ Materials/Training •Contact SHAPE for a free poster with information on how to deal with an emergency procedure. The poster includes space to fill in relevant emergency numbers and contacts. •The city of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services has Fire Safety & Fire Extinguisher Training available. Visit: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/fire/Pub_train/extinguisher. html. Aerial Lift Training $120 Experienced (1 Day) $220 Inexperienced (2 Day) Experienced: Saturday, February 24 Saturday, March 24 Inexperienced: Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 8:30am - 4:30pm Instructor: Leavitt Training Agency Occupational First Aid Level One $40 Monday, February 19 Saturday, March 3 Monday, March 19 Saturday, March 31 8:45am to 5:30pm Instructor: Kathy Day Safy Quot: “Don’t lose your head to gain a minute. You’ll need your head, your brains are in it! ” Safety Awareness* $25 Tuesday, March 13 Sunday, April 15 Tuesday, May 15 Tuesdays: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Sundays: 10:00am - 1:00pm Instructor: Marty Clausen Counterbalanced Forklift $120 Experienced (1 Day) $220 Inexperienced (2 Day) Experienced: Saturday, February 17 Saturday, March 17 Inexperienced: Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18 Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18 8:30am - 4:30pm Instructor: Leavitt Training Agency Supervisor Safety* $25 Sunday, April 15 Sunday, June 10 2:00pm - 5:00pm Instructor: Marty Clausen *Take both Safety Awareness and Supervisor Safety for $45 (Sundays Only). WHMIS $20 NOW ONLINE! SHAPE Staff Dawn Brennan - General Manager Marty Clausen - Safety Consultant Ed Brisson - Production Coordinator Maureen Kaake - Program Administrator Transportation of Dangerous Goods $20 Available online soon from SHAPE. Training Courses Outside the Lower Mainland If you or your organisation are interested in booking a training class in your area, please contact the SHAPE offices. 1-888-229-1455 4