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The actress Aimee Lou Wood has lifted the curtain on a drama school advice that was immensely power and which she has kept throughout her entire career. The BBC Radio 1 speaker, Wood, brought up a very particular directing note that was given to her at the venerable Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. It was an honest tale of how she was shaped to ‘complete the work’ which resonated with a great number of viewers and also with other actors.
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Aimee Lou Wood thought about the old days when she was discussing the most unforgettable directions ever given to an actor. A very specific person came to her mind immediately, her acting instructor at RADA. The trainees were to act out tedious chores or tasks, such as dusting, to give them the ability to be in the moment on stage without boasting. Wood recounted one episode of her life when she had to clean up a very disorganized house before her parents returned to it. When she had projected that she would need thirty minutes for it, her superior raised it higher and asserted that her father was ‘coming up the stairs’ and shouting the now-infamous words: “Get it done. Get done.”
The actress was very candid in showing her emotions regarding the offensive direction. She mentioned that the note meant killing the tendency to be self-indulgent. “In life, you have to get it done,” Wood reflected, showing her awareness how the lesson applies beyond the classroom. She even acted out the physicality that her instructor required and said that he wanted the urgency to rise from a deep and visceral place. This window into the harsh training at RADA offered a clue to the development of her naturalistic acting style which was so much loved by the audience during her portrayal of Aimee Gibbs in the hit Netflix series.
The video, which had a very plain caption “get it done,” immediately drew the attention of other actors and fans. The fact that the story was easy to relate to made it very quickly recognized and appreciated by the readers’ comments.
One person instantly connected Wood’s vivid and real presence to the remark, “Me: is she neurodivergent? let’s google it. Also me: yes she is, and now I love her even more.” This statement is a clear proof of how Wood’s frankness regarding her neurodivergence creates a strong and positive connection with her audience. Her openness about neurodivergence has been a significant part of her public presence.
A colleague actor mentioned in a comment that these basic exercises are typical in all drama schools around the globe. “I remember doing this particular exercise!” they exclaimed and finished with laughing emojis. This response affirms the idea of drama school training as a shared experience among actors that is nearly universal and it is this experience that links them together.
Yet another artist, who appreciated the teaching method, expressed himself in length. “OBSESSED,” was their first word. “I remember that exercise! But really good for him challenging the stakes – that was one of my challenges to come up with higher stakes.” Then, this user took us into the world of the artist who would hum “MMMMMMM…” during a scene as a sign of when an actor was on the right track. Thus, the discussion about teaching acting turned the comments section into a mini-forum for discussions.
Moreover, the video was a blessing source of inspiration for fresh actors. A reader’s comment, “Ah, this is why I want to go to RADA!”—the weeping emoji implies that Wood’s tale has both inspired and offered a glimpse into the secretive school of training. Another user simply stated, “Get it done works for me every time,” which definitely suggested the general practicality and life-applicability of the advice, that is, beyond the theater and the film industry.
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Not only did Aimee Lou Wood’s tale entertain the audience, but it also provided a very deep insight into the acting profession. She reinforced this with examples and words from her teacher and the struggles of her training pointing out that only truthfulness and quality in performance are acceptable. The massive reaction is a sign that the most plain commands at times—the like of a firm “get it done”—actually are the ones that influence the performer and the audience the most. Her story is a manifestation of the strong, often unspoken, teachings that are in a way, the silence of a performer’s career. Her work on projects like Film Club continues to showcase her talent.