Why 350,000 Views Don’t Make It Right: The Problem with Generic ‘How to Perform a Monologue’ Advice
Why 350,000 Views Can’t Fix Flimsy Advice: Exposing the Fluff of Monologue "Experts"
Ah, the internet: where a video with over 350,000 views can trick you into thinking it holds the secrets of the acting universe. But dig into this particular monologue advice video, and you'll find that it offers little more than a warm bowl of air-fluffed platitudes, designed to sound profound while leaving actors utterly clueless. Let’s break down why this sort of content does more harm than good—and why, if you’re preparing for a drama school audition, you need to run from these "experts" as fast as you can.
"Make Bold Choices" – AKA, "Do Something... Anything?"
“Make bold choices,” they say, as if they’ve just handed you the acting equivalent of the Holy Grail. What is a bold choice? Is it shouting all your lines? Adding a random limp? Wearing a clown nose? Without a concrete process for aligning these choices with the text, this advice is as useful as telling a chef to “make dinner bold.” You’re left guessing—and worse, you might make a choice so bold it barrels into absurdity.
"Be Flexible" – But Like... How?
Flexibility sounds nice, doesn’t it? Like you’re a yoga instructor instead of an actor. But telling actors to rehearse a monologue in different ways without showing how to experiment with stakes, tactics, or journey is the equivalent of saying, “Be ready for anything!” while throwing them to the wolves. This is advice for people who enjoy winging it, not for those serious about nailing their performance.
"Understand Character Motivation" – Groundbreaking News from GCSE Drama
Ah, yes, “figure out what your motivation is.” Thanks, genius. This is Acting 101—maybe Acting 0.5. Real advice dives into the mechanics: how to break a script into chunks, analysing the dramatic journey, thinnking about tactics and subtext, and plotting your emotional journey. How can you find out exactly what your character WANTS (tip: it’s not about you!)? Simply telling an actor to “understand the character” is about as helpful as telling a pilot to “understand the plane.” Sure, it’s important—but how do you actually do it?
Thought Changes: A Slightly Undercooked Idea
Identifying shifts in your character’s thoughts is actually a good piece of advice. But this video stops there. How should you communicate these changes? What makes make each thought different from the other? How are you gonna show it? What’s your subtext for that chunk? Instead of showing actors how to USE these moments, we’re told to “mark them on the page.” Cool. I’ll also draw a smiley face in the margins—will that help?
Audience Dynamics – Don’t Just Think About It, DO Something
“Remember who you’re talking to” is solid advice if you’re, say, at a dinner party. For actors, it’s too vague to be useful. What if you’re talking to the ‘audience’? Does that mean your character has an existential crisis?
Where’s the Substance?
Despite its slick presentation and massive view count, this kind of advice ultimately fails actors when it matters most: in the audition room. Drama schools aren’t looking for generic “boldness” or flexibility for flexibility’s sake. They’re looking for prepared, thoughtful and specific performers who know how to dissect a text, rehearse effectively, and deliver with precision.
What You Should Actually Be Doing
Let’s set the record straight. If you want to crush a monologue (and not just get crushed by bad advice), you should speak to an expert Acting Coach who has helped literally helped hundreds of people beat the odds and get into top drama schools and conservatoires around the world.
For a glimpse of something more specific, check out this blog post, which actually gives you a roadmap for success.
