PEM BASICS

PEM Basics offers actors and performers a structured pathway to learn the art of physically accessing authentic emotion on command.

Through a series of six-week terms, participants delve into each of the six basic emotions in the PEM methodology.

Each two-hour weekly session delivers a deep well of knowledge, including practical tools and exercises that can be immediately integrated into your work.

Upon completion of the series, you will have experienced a profound transformation of your instrument. You will possess an expanded emotional range, a deeper insight into the human experience, and a comprehensive understanding of emotions and how they can be utilised artistically.

This series is our most thorough course offering when it comes to training the foundations of PEM. The courses are fantastic for all experience levels as they provide a solid foundation for beginners while also offering advanced insights for more seasoned PEM performers. Course numbers are capped so you are sure to receive individual guidance. 

Aggression, Happiness, Grief, Lust, Fear, and Revulsion: understanding and application of these 6 basic emotions provide actors with a rich palette of emotional states with which to craft realistic performances.

In PEM Basics, each emotion is examined in depth, allowing actors to understand its nuances and learn how to embody it authentically for stage and screen.

Through targeted exercises and practical applications, actors learn to access these emotions at will, enhancing the depth and realism of their performances.

Authentic text work is integrated throughout the series as you learn to combine the physical emotional access with text to open up a whole universe of creative possibilities.

PEM Basics is the jumping off point for all other subjects and pathways in the vast PEM pedagogy, including voice, in-depth text work, character work and more. 

Do you encounter a barrier when portraying anger in a scene or monologue? Perhaps it feels contrived or stereotypical, or maybe it triggers unexpected emotions like tears? Discover how to access authentic Aggression on command, broadening your range to embody characters who exude directness, assertiveness, drive, and passion, or who grapple with unresolved anger from their past.

Whether depicting a heated argument or charging into battle, honing Aggression within your craft enables you to authentically convey anger, rage, or determination and infuse your characters with focus, determination, and even an element of danger.

• Deep-dive into Aggression
• Train power, presence, focus, grit, assertiveness, motivation, passion and danger
• Develop a thorough understanding of the full spectrum of expression for this basic emotion – from focus to unbridled rage
• Access nuanced and subtle levels of Aggression for close-ups and film work
• Access big and powerful levels of Aggression for theatre and intense film scenes

Navigating the intricacies of Grief can be an issue for many actors, especially if you rely on your personal memories to get to the emotion, or if you simply struggle to get there at all. Train your instrument to authentically convey grief, sorrow, and loss, while avoiding the pitfalls of relying on personal trauma or falling into melodrama.

Learn to physically access Grief on command to portray genuine sadness, desperation, and longing in a sustainable manner, free from emotional exhaustion. Integrating Grief into your toolkit enables you to infuse your characters with rich histories and a grounded presence.

Delve into the profound depths of Grief with our non-traumatic approach and transcend your personal experiences to play with gravitas and maturity.

In PEM Basics 3, you will also be introduced to emotional mixtures.

• Deep-dive into Grief
• Train sorrow, loss, desperation and the powerful strength and fight of grief
• Gain insight into the multifaceted spectrum inherent in Grief, from subtle sadness to desperation
• Introduction to emotional mixtures
• Access subtle and nuanced expressions of Grief for close-ups and film work
• Access large and powerful levels of Grief for theatre and intense film scenes

Contrary to popular belief, creating electric chemistry on stage or screen does not require falling in love with every co-star – that’s simply impractical! Cultivate palpable, non-personal chemistry with any actor through learning to physically access Lust. This versatile emotion not only enables you to portray uninhibited, cheeky, playful, and sensual characters, but also expands your repertoire to embody characters that have opposite interests and desires than your own.

Moreover, Lust serves as a vital tool for sustaining motivation in our unpredictable industry. When faced with the exhaustion of endless self-tapes or encountering resistance, tapping into Lust injects your work with renewed vigor, enthusiasm, and curiosity.

• Deep-dive into Lust
• Cultivate playfulness, desire, sensuality, eagerness and impulsiveness
• Develop a thorough understanding of the full spectrum of expression for this basic emotion – from curiosity to greed
• Access nuanced and subtle levels of Lust for close-ups and film work
• Access big and powerful levels of Lust for theatre and intense film scenes

Working with Fear enables you to curate a whole emotional spectrum, spanning from subtle nervousness to intense terror in your performances. Gone are the days of personal anxiety as we guide you in artfully creating fearful atmospheres – even portraying panic attacks without compromising your well-being. Learn to scream without damaging your voice, and instill your characters with a palpable sense of alertness, tension, and urgency when the scene demands.

With PEM, Fear is reframed as a supportive and empowering force rather than a hindrance. Armed with this understanding, you’ll effectively manage stage fright and audition nerves, harnessing Fear to invigorate your performances when fatigue or complacency sets in. Embrace Fear as a catalyst for both gripping portrayals and personal growth, ensuring your audience is on the edge of their seats while you revel in the thrill of the performance.

• Deep-dive into Fear
• Train speed, alertness, nervousness and terror
• Develop a thorough understanding of the full spectrum of expression for this basic emotion – from alertness to extreme terror
• Detangle personal associations or stories around this emotion so that you can have fun playing fear (yes, it’s possible!)
• Access nuanced and subtle levels of Fear for close-ups and film work
• Access big and powerful levels of Fear for theatre and intense film scenes

Has your character had the final straw? Revulsion empowers us to say ‘no’ and walk away with resolve. This skill is indispensable for characters with unwavering moral principles or those in authoritative or distant roles. Expand your repertoire to embody confident, justice-driven or even cold characters by mastering Revulsion.

Moreover, Revulsion proves invaluable in scenes fraught with discomfort, where characters confront situations or individuals they vehemently oppose. Developing the ability to establish firm boundaries is equally essential for navigating the acting profession, enabling you to confidently assert yourself. Elevate your performances by infusing argument scenes with depth and imbuing your characters with unwavering principles, clear value systems and the capacity to defend themselves and others.

• Deep-dive into Revulsion
• Train boundaries, assertiveness, distance, resolve, grounded authority and the ability to firmly say ‘no’
• Develop a thorough understanding of the full spectrum of expression for this basic emotion – from slight unease to full-bodied rejection
• Access nuanced and subtle levels of Revulsion for close-ups and film work
• Access big and powerful levels of Revulsion for theatre and intense film scenes