I always start by turning off my phone, then I walk the set twice, feeling the floorboards under my shoes, and check the camera angles like a map. I pull out my pocket watch, not to see the time, but to keep the rhythm steady, and I whisper the first line out loud, just to hear the cadence. A few deep breaths, a nod to the director, and the set becomes a quiet pact before we step on.

Sounds like a good test. When the lights flare, if you feel the beat still in your chest, we’ve nailed the rhythm. Just remember, the camera’s angle is the first line in the script of the scene. Let's keep that line true and see where the story takes us.