I can see clearly now the ______ has gone

One of our difficulties in portraying truthfully as actors is our child defense mechanism of protecting the ego.  No one wants to be wrong, the other kid is the dummy, I know all the answers, and I will let you know that I know what I know. These are all opinion based judges in your own head, nonetheless, a reality of how our brains work.  If we were able to "detach" ourselves in the process of creating, quieting this voice, (not to a total silence, as you will later see in your growth, that this voice is a truthsayer - for all my Dune fans) it will allow you as an actor the freedom to be wrong and receive the precious gifts of artistic accidents, which is your mind in hyper speed giving you the answers.  A mental and physical exercise to jump start any scene work and to assist through this process is to imagine someone else doing the scene.  This is particularly fun to do if you see in your mind's eye perhaps one of your favorite actors; how would they do the scene? Listen to their voice, see them getting what they want. This allows you not to be personal, it is not you putting your heart on the line, but someone else, and you can observe that, almost like a scientist.  Did you like what you saw, would you direct them in any particular direction? Another exercise is to switch characters with your scene partner. It can be male, female, does not matter.  Once you have rehearsed a scene for a while, switch parts with your fellow actors.  They will show you things you have not seen about yourself - eye opening to discover how they see your character.

SMB - Sadistic Mothers Blow

Sadistic Mothers Blow.  No, no, no calm down, I'm sure they do, but that was just to get your attention.  You've heard of Subject Matter Experts, (SME'S) people who get paid a lot of money to impart their knowledge onto us, and yes acting teachers are included in that lot. We've added a little twist to that, and we've called it the Subject Matter Bull exercise. This exercise is to help the actor not be a character but be truly himself, (the key words here are truly as I am not interested in your accomplishments as an "artiste" and bull because I can even care less about your expertise). Whether you are a successful actor making a living at your craft or like the rest of us, working for a living and pursuing your passion for this noble art, prepare, not a monologue, but some talking points on something that you are an "expert," i.e., training someone new at your job, selling me whatever it is you sell for a living (that is what we all do, by the way), changing a tire, putting on make-up, preparing a grill cheese, WHATEVER. Pick a partner and do your thing.  Your partner explains their expertise, and then comes the FUN part.  Repeat to each other what you've just heard.  Film all of it, and watch it!!  Who was more believable?