Join host Scott Leon Smith and marketing guru Abbey Kanellakis in this lively episode of Struck to the Soul, a segment of the Electric Secrets Variety Podcast, recorded live at the Bucyrus Tap House in Bucyrus, Ohio. This episode dives into the fleeting, powerful moments in film that ignite creativity and linger in the soul, shaping artists and their craft. From iconic snarls to subtle glances, Scott and Abbey unpack the cinematic sparks that drive emotional and artistic impact, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their own creative journeys.

• Cinematic Moments as Creative Catalysts: Iconic scenes, like Harrison Ford’s snarl in Raiders of the Lost Ark or Meryl Streep’s subtle expressions in The Deer Hunter, deliver “acute catharsis,” galvanizing viewers and inspiring artists to capture authentic emotion in their work.

• Authenticity Over Perfection: Chasing perfection can overshadow the genuine, visceral moments that define great art. Recognizing and harnessing these moments, as seen in a testimonial video where a single word, “electrifying” lit up a speaker’s face, elevates creative impact.

• Maturity Enhances Appreciation: Revisiting films with a mature lens reveals deeper layers of meaning, as seen in re-watching classics like Jaws or The Breakfast Club, where technical brilliance and emotional resonance hit harder with life experience.

This episode is a must for artists, filmmakers, and anyone who’s ever been moved by a fleeting moment on screen. Scott and Abbey’s passionate discussion, peppered with humor and nostalgia, will inspire you to seek out and cherish the sparks that fuel creativity. Tune in to explore how these moments shape not just art, but life.

Check out additional segments of the Electric Secrets Variety Podcast on the Brain Candy menu at MonsterVoxProductions.com. Join the conversation about creativity and share your own “struck to the soul” moments!

Get ready to crank up the volume and feel the soul-shaking, microphone-melting energy of two legendary vocalists in the latest episode of The Unforgettable Voice, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast!

Hosted by the ever-charismatic Scott Leon Smith and featuring vocal expert Lori Turner, this episode dives headfirst into the raw, unfiltered power of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. Recorded live at the vibrant Richland Academy of the Arts in Mansfield, Ohio—where young performers are crafting their own vocal magic, this episode is a high-octane tribute to two women who broke every rule in the vocal handbook and still left audiences begging for more.

Expect laughs, insights, and a whole lotta passion as Scott and Lori unpack what makes these voices unforgettable.

• Janis Joplin’s Banshee Wail Meets Heartfelt Ballads: Scott and Lori explore how Janis Joplin’s gritty, blues-rock scream in hits like “Piece of My Heart” wasn’t just chaos; it was a deliberate, passionate choice. From her surprising soft and gentle moments on a Dick Cavett talk show to her raw socio-political protest through sound, Janis redefined what it meant to sing the blues as a white woman in the 60s.

• Tina Turner’s Full-Body Fire: Lori breaks down Tina’s electrifying vocal attack, which surges from the soles of her feet to the top of her range. Whether she’s shimmying through “Proud Mary” or belting out “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” Tina’s storytelling and physicality set her apart. Plus, Scott can’t resist geeking out over her iconic role as the villain in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome ... because who else sings a Bond theme and rules a post-apocalyptic wasteland?

• Why We Need More Voices Like These: In a world of overproduced pop, Scott and Lori lament the lack of passion in today’s music scene. They draw parallels to modern artists like Amy Winehouse, Pink, and Lady Gaga, who carry the torch of raw authenticity, and speculate on where Janis and Tina would fit in today’s image-obsessed industry.

• Passion Trumps Perfection: Janis and Tina prove that raw, unpolished emotion can outshine technically “perfect” vocals, drawing listeners in with their heart and soul.

• Vocal Choices Define Artistry: Both singers made deliberate stylistic choices: Janis with her raspy protest and Tina with her full-body power, showing that knowing your instrument is key to iconic performances.

• Storytelling Is King: From Janis’s socio-political screams to Tina’s narrative-driven performances, their ability to tell stories through song remains a gold standard for artists today.

Loved the rasp, the passion, and the pure diva energy? Subscribe to Electric Secrets on your favorite podcast platform to catch every episode of The Unforgettable Voice and other wild segments like The Albatross Cafe. Want more? Head over to MonsterVox Productions for behind-the-scenes goodies and updates on all things Scott Leon Smith.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or endorsement of its participants, nor of any companies or persons discussed therein. MonsterVox Productions is not responsible for any losses, damage, or liabilities that may arise from the use of information contained in this podcast. The views expressed are those of its participants and may not reflect those of any podcasting platform or hosting service.

In this episode of Dedicated to the Craft, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast by MonsterVox Productions, host Scott Leon Smith dives deeper into the art of scene work. This episode builds on previous discussions by introducing the concept of working within given circumstances, using a scene called The Waiting Room to illustrate how actors can apply tactics and objectives to bring a script to life.

Scott emphasizes the importance of tactics and objectives in acting, focusing on how they create dynamic, believable performances. This episode introduces the concept of breaking a scene into beats and applying specific tactics to each, ensuring a natural escalation of conflict and tension.

• Tactics: Specific, actionable verbs (e.g., "proclaim," "comfort," "provoke") that actors use to drive their performance, fueled by imagination and vocal energy.

• Objectives: A combination of a tactic and a desired outcome (e.g., "hassle them so that they apologize").

• Focal Point: Tactics and objectives always target a specific entity, such as another character, the audience, or an abstract concept.

• Beats: Dividing a scene into manageable parts to assign unique tactics for each character, creating a sense of rising action.

Scott introduces a short scene titled The Waiting Room, featuring characters Alex and Jamie in a hospital waiting room. The dialogue has a melodramatic, poetic quality, which poses a challenge for actors to avoid playing the mood and instead focus on tactics.

Applying Tactics to Performance

Scott demonstrates how applying these tactics brings the scene to life, creating tension and conflict. By reading the scene with tactical energy, he shows how actors can make dialogue feel natural and dynamic, even with poetic or abstract language. He stresses that tactics, not mood, drive realistic performances, citing examples like Shakespeare and Waiting for Godot.

Scott challenges listeners to apply the same techniques to a new scene, The Bridge, featuring characters Sam and Riley. The context is that they meet on a bridge at dusk, with an unspoken history between them.

• Read the Scene: Access The Bridge via the podcast transcript at www.monstervoxproductions.com under the Electric Secrets podcast page.

• Break into Beats: Divide the scene into manageable parts.

• Assign Tactics and Objectives: For each beat, assign a tactic for Sam and Riley, focusing on their vocal energy and objectives.

• Experiment: Read the scene with a partner, sitting back-to-back, to focus on vocal energy rather than physical performance. Experiment with different tactics to explore the scene’s dynamics.

• Feedback: Email info@monstervoxproductions.com for feedback on your work.

In the next episode, Scott will explore sense memory and emotional memory to add depth to characters and scenes, building on the foundation laid in this episode.

Part of the Electric Secrets variety podcast, Dedicated to the Craft offers practical acting techniques and exercises for performers. Other segments include BizVox for small businesses and The Unforgettable Voice, focusing on vocal performance.

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