Acting can be described as simple yet not easy. As an actor on film and TV, presenting an awesome performance when on stage or set is the goal. What many do not however realize is that acting goes beyond just saying one or two lines without looking straight into the camera. Here we will share some solid steps that help you become one of the great actors out there. If you are also one of the casting directors, we will show you how you can help your actors with difficult exercises or scenes that should help with their performance.
How can you improve your acting?
The core idea behind acting simply centers around coming up with characters and making believe you are the character. To have a fulfilling acting career you must improve your acting skills in such a way that you can use your face, voice, and body to come up with the right emotion and atmosphere. There are a couple of exercises you can engage in learning how to act. One of the most important things to do is to carry out some work on your accent. The voice is one of the most useful tools of actors. For any accent you opt to work on, it is imperative that find a key phrase that you can always say using the accent. The right accent ability should easily set an actor apart from the crowd.
1. Understand your lines
This is perhaps one of the most important. Failure to master the lines before production begins means you will have to stall the progress of the production. The best route you should take in terms of learning your lines is memorization. What this means is that for you to improve your acting skills in this regard, try and store up the actual words without any rhythm or inflection involved. This is so that when the time comes for you to alter the way you say the words, you will not be stranded with dramatically delivering your lines.
2. Ensure all scenes are filled
One of the best acting tips you should never forget is that no scene should be left flat. This includes simple ones such as delivering a package or walking down a hall. To add substance and dimension to those scenes that appear unimportant, ensure you fill such scenes. In the case of a scene where you have action without dialogue, put your mind on something such as going to drop your kids at school. This is where the role of casting directors becomes valuable as they are the ones expected to assist the actor in determining the motivation.
3. Time is valuable
One thing you will learn in acting class or books on acting is that you shouldn’t waste time on takes, always prepare for the next one. You may revisit the blocking so that you are aware of exactly where you should be and fit into the character. It is, however, advisable that you do not go a hundred percent into the right frame of mind for the scene. Just get enough done for it and when the need comes to up the tempo, you should be able to do that.
4. Direction is golden
The relationship that exists between casting directors and great actors in performing arts is one of the most vital in film production. Depending on how it is managed, it can be both volatile and intimate at the same time. This is why communication and taking direction is vital. It is normal to find inexperienced casting directors finding it quite difficult to explain what is required of you from the scene. This is why it is important you learn how to comprehend and translate what the director may be saying per time.
5. The arrow of continuity
Although there is always someone assigned to be on the lookout for continuity errors, it is always advisable that the actor should be careful enough to avoid them. It is vital to execute every movement same time, same way during the scene especially in a case where there is a dialogue. This is because if you do not, there is a risk having your best take cut from the film due to a continuity error that made it unusable.
Some Unique Body Language Acting Tips You Should Know
For every actor, your body language is vital in the success or otherwise in roleplay, auditions, and performance. Getting a good grip on your nonverbal communication skills can go a long way in setting you apart from the crowd and give you a favorable advantage with the casting agents, directors and other relevant names in the industry.
If you are looking to get that role, you must use every available technique and tool. But before we show you some of these powerful tips, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself. Firstly, what facial expressions should I make when reading plays or cold reading? How do I prepare my voice and body before an audition commences? What was the secret to my landing the role in my last audition? Was body language a reason for my last rejection?
As soon as you have completed the self-analysis, you can then deploy the following body language hacks.
Be conversant with the relevant micro expressions
One thing you should know about a microexpression is that it is often a brief and involuntary expression that appears on the face of a person based on the emotion that is being experienced. This is not like the usual prolonged facial expressions which are quite easier to fake. What this means is that when we feel an intense emotion, the emotion tends to reveal itself on our faces. For the records, the seven micro expressions you should never forget include sadness, disgust, anger, happiness, contempt, surprise, and fear.
When you are in an audition, you certainly want to project the emotion of the character which you are portraying. In a case where the script is sad, it will help to practice displaying the sadness in a mirror before that time.
Know your space
Proxemics or spatial norms are a vital part of any audition. Research has shown that the way we use our space can go a long way in giving us vital information. For instance, books written on acting will tell you the body to body distance maintained by two people indicates the nature of the relationship which exists between both participants. What this simply means is that we can use space to determine how a person feels about us. Intimate space is between 0 to 18 inches from our body, personal space is between 1.5 to 5 feet from our body, social space is between to 7 feet from our body. Public space is above 7 feet.
Purposeful gazes
One thing you should always know is that eyes have it! Great actors understand the power of eye gazing. If you are looking to improve on your confidence, ensure that you look people in the eye when speaking to them. More often than not, we look away or take a look at the room. This does not only portray you as rood, but it also shows you are lacking in confidence.
You should consider using eye contact and purposeful gazing as you must have learned from your acting class. The moment you step into the audition room, ensure to keep your head up while looking ahead of you.
Confidence is indispensable
One of the things you will be thought while learning how to act in an acting class is that confidence is a skill that can be developed. When you exude confidence, it increases the level of trust others have with you. One of the core secrets to increasing your confidence is to explore your professional happiness.
What you do now determines what comes out later
Some of the books on acting will tell you that the things you do before an audition matter a great deal. It is therefore advisable that you come up with your pre-performance ritual; this should help us fight the nerves that come with performance.
Last Line
Becoming one of the great actors in film and TV is certainly not a day’s journey. It takes inputs such as acting classes, reading books on acting, learning relevant acting tips and all of that to master the art. This may take months or years depending on how quickly you grasp the concepts. But at the end of the day, your acting career is a function of what you make out of it. If you are consistent and allow the talent in you flow like a river, you may be on the path to greatness quicker than you imagined.
You May Like These Articles As Well:
