There is always someone who is able to step up to the stage and be the center of attention of the entire show. They are such great actors/actresses that they can draw you into their world and make you wonder what will happen next. Keep reading to find out how to become a great actor/actress and how to show strong emotions to captivate your audience.
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Method 1 of 3: Preparing for the Role
Step 1. Read the entire script 2-3 times
You need to be well versed in the whole play/film, not just your character. Actors exist to direct the larger themes and plots of a film. If you don't understand the larger themes and ideas in the script, your appearance will seem out of place with the story. As you read the script, ask yourself the main theme of the work. How did your character fit into the story?
Once you understand the whole story, move on to your character section and read it 1-2 more times. Now concentrate on your character and dialogue
Step 2. Ask key questions and answers about your character
To get into your character, you need to go beyond just what's in the script and start thinking about what makes your character stand out. All of this may not be visible on screen/stage, but these little facts will help you fully represent your character and can lead to important discoveries about how you will play the role. When thinking about the "answer," trust your instincts or ask the director or writer for help.
- Who am I?
- Where do I come from?
- Why am I here?
Step 3. Know the special desires of your character
All characters, in almost every story, want something. This is the basis of the plot. This desire could be a goal to save the world, get a date, or just get something to eat. But you need to know these desires, and why your character has them, so that you can portray them accurately. All of your character's actions are a kind of extension of this passion. Desire is what drives and motivates him.
- Character desires can change, and you need to pay attention to when this happens, which is almost always a big scene or moment to show.
- As an exercise, try to pick your favorite character/actor's passion. For example in the film There Will Be Blood, the main character is strongly driven by his need to find more petroleum. Every action, performance and emotion is the result of his deep and endless greed, and you can see it in Daniel Day-Lewis' face in every scene.
Step 4. Practice your dialogue until you get used to it
You shouldn't pause and think about what you're going to say. You should pay more attention to how you say it. The only way to get to this point is to practice your lines over and over again, doing the best you can to say them without having to look at the script again. Ask your friend to read the rest of the passage so you can have a realistic two-way conversation.
- Practice the dialogue as you read it. Try different ways of delivery, with different wording or stress changes, and see how that affects your character.
- Recording yourself and looking back at it afterwards can help you spot minor mistakes, or hear new ways to convey dialogue.
- Focus on getting the dialogue right before worrying about the perfection of the dialogue. You have to be able to pronounce the words first, then perfect them later.
Step 5. Talk to the director about his vision for the character
If you've already landed the role, talk to the director to see if there's any specific direction he or she wants. Briefly tell him your idea of the character and how it adds something to the project's theme, then listen to his ideas too. Remember that you are there to help the project as a whole, not yourself. You must be able to accept ideas and constructive criticism gracefully.
If you haven't landed the role yet, and are just about to attend an audition, define a direction for the character and stick with it. Don't try to give people what they want to see. Instead, read the notes and prepare dialogue that feels natural to you
Step 6. Put yourself in your character's shoes
You can't represent a character well without thinking like that character. Even if your words are already in the script, your actions and position are not always defined with certainty. In addition, getting to know your character well will help you improvise in case someone forgets the lines. Preparing for a role is the process of getting into your character's mind, becoming as much of your character as possible.
- Method acting is when an actor stays in character on the set. In the break, he keeps playing his role, trying to get into the character fully so that he always plays the role perfectly in front of the camera.
- Find dialogues from characters that relate to you. Have you ever felt the emotions your character was going through? Do you know a little about his struggles? Find ways to channel your emotions into your character's dialogue for the best results.
Method 2 of 3: Playing a Trustworthy Character
Step 1. Commit to your roles
As an actor, it's not your job to rewrite scripts to make yourself "likeable," nor is it your job to judge stories or characters and play your own version of characters instead. Your job is to present a character that can lead people to believe that the character is part of a movie, play or TV show. Like writers, directors, cameramen etc., you have to work as part of a large, consistent group that aims to make a great show.
- Don't be ashamed of what your characters do, because in the end it's all acting. If you hold yourself back in scenes that are disgusting, violent, sexual, or emotionally distressing, you will only distance yourself from the viewer and appear "unrealistic."
- All the best actors give full commitment to their roles. Ever wondered why Tom Cruise is still an action movie star? That's because he never winks, jokes, or half-way through the script. He is always high on energy and fully committed, even in the odd or funny circumstances.
- Committing to a role means doing whatever it takes to present your character realistically, not doing what makes you look good as an actor.
Step 2. Learn to react
While not everyone agrees that acting is a reaction, it is still an important thing to consider when you are learning about acting. This means you have to practice your responsiveness to any situation in acting. Concentrate on the other actors' lines, listening to them wholeheartedly like you would listen to other people's conversations in "real life". You need to respond honestly, in your character's voice, even if you're not the main concern of the scene.
- Focus on the present moment. Don't try to think ahead, to the next scene, or worry about whether or not your line delivery in the previous scene was appropriate.
- For a humorous example, watch Charlie Day on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Even though he didn't speak, his eyebrows, eyes and fingers were always moving. He is fully committed to his character's wild and unpredictable energy.
Step 3. Think of a consistent posture
It's important to remember that something as trivial as posture can make a big difference. Not only will it make you look more confident, but it will help you to get deeper into the character's life. If your character is weak or thin, pull your shoulders forward and distance yourself from the rest. If your character is heroic, stand tall with your chest out and your head high.
Step 4. Use the tempo and volume of your voice to determine the energy of a scene
When you say dialogue, you will feel tempted to say it as quickly as possible. But it can definitely take the nuances out of your role. Instead, let the tempo and volume of your voice follow the state of your character.
- Characters who are nervous or scared often speak quickly, rushing their words.
- An angry character will raise the pitch of his voice, and may slow down (to emphasize) or speed it up (when filled with anger).
- Happy or excited characters tend to speak at a low volume, or increase the volume as they continue to speak. He spoke quickly.
- A variety of tempos and volumes, depending on the scene, are a great way to show how the characters react or change to events.
Step 5. Play with emphasis on your dialogue
Think about the subtext of each sentence, and emphasize it accordingly. It is important to emphasize the sentence. Think of it as the most important word or phrase of the sentence. It may not feel important, but emphasis can play a big role in whatever you say. For example, "I love you" has a different connotation than "I love you you.
This is another place where famous actors can help you practice. Search online for old scripts for movies you haven't seen, then pick a character and try reading a few sentences. As you watch the film, compare how the actors choose to deliver the lines. There's no wrong answer here, but it can help you notice the subtlety of emphasis
Step 6. Appreciate the script
Unless you're allowed to do so, or are just improvising on a word or two, stick to the script as much as possible. You may not be sure if there was a call for additional dialogue or scenes, or if the director liked the line for some reason. When in doubt, stick to the script. You'll be notified if they want you to improvise or try something different.
Step 7. Be consistent in your blocking
Blocking is the direction in which you move or stand in a scene. Once you've determined blocking with the director, don't change it. Try to put yourself on the same block in every shot, rehearsal or scene. This allows for continuity of the scene, and helps the crew and other actors in planning their own work.
This is especially important for film projects, as the exact same blocking allows the editor to cut between shots without the viewer noticing
Step 8. Ignore the camera or the audience
Recognizing, reacting or acknowledging the audience's presence is the fastest way to get out of character. In most cases, the character doesn't know he's in a play or movie, and neither should you. This will come as you practice, but a good way to prepare yourself is simply to stand in front of the camera. When you notice it, or feel like you're being watched, don't react to the feeling.
- Many experienced cast and crew don't make eye contact with you while you're acting, recognizing that returning someone's eye contact is a natural human tendency. Try to help your co-stars by doing the same thing when you take a break from their work.
- Be aware of the things you do when you are nervous. Avoid playing with your hair, hiding your hands in your pockets, or wiggling your feet. Instead, deal with your nervousness by taking deep breaths and drinking water.
Method 3 of 3: Hone Your Talents
Step 1. Find out human behavior through conversations and books
To play different kinds of people, you need to get to know different kinds of people. When you meet people, do your best to be quiet and listen. Ask them about their lives and stories, pay attention to the way they talk and what language they use, and absorb it all. Reading will help you see this concept at work. What's more, reading will activate the same parts that are activated by acting.
You should do research that is specific to your role. If your role is based on a specific person or time period, find out as much as you can. These little facts will come in and affect your appearance, even if you don't realize it
Step 2. Watch and re-watch actors you admire
When you watch someone act, allow yourself to be immersed in the scene for the first time, just like when you watch any other movie. Then replay the scene, paying special attention to each actor separately. What does he do when he's not talking? How does he deliver his dialogue? What is his position and posture like? What gestures are used to get people to believe in the dialogue?
- Would you read the same dialogue differently? If so, how do you do it?
- Classic plays, like Shakespeare's, are a great way to see the art of acting. On YouTube for example, there are 5 different actors delivering the same monologue from Hamlet. What makes them different? What artistic choices did each actor make to make the character unique?
Step 3. Take an acting course
These courses usually end in a production or show, and are a great way to practice acting in a low-pressure environment. Pay attention to not just the teacher, but the other students. What can you learn from them? How could you improve the readability of their dialogue, and would you make a different choice for the character? Make friends with your fellow actors, and talk to them from time to time for advice or tips on your performance.
You never know when your co-actor will be successful, and it can potentially help you land the role. Be friendly and welcoming with everyone in class-it will pay off later
Step 4. Take an improv course
Improvisation is the art of acting today, letting your character take over the action and react accordingly. Improv skills will help your character look natural, as if reacting to events on the screen instantly and not reading from paper. There are many improv courses in urban and semi-urban areas, and many acting courses feature little improv practice.
Improv games, such as carrying out suggestions from friends, acting with odd props, or acting in short scenes with a friend, are great ways to practice acting anywhere
Step 5. Practice "cold reading" so you can succeed in your audition
cold read is when you are given a script and asked to act on the spot. Sometimes you'll get 1-2 minutes to go through the script, and sometimes you'll have to jump right into it. While this is scary, it is also very easy to practice. Buy a book containing a monologue, take a sentence from a book, or even pick up a dramatic story in the newspaper and read it aloud. You can also read it slowly once, then take 20-30 seconds to choose a script direction before starting.
It is also a warm-up, which helps you to prepare your mind and body for acting
Tips
- Try to imagine the script and emotions as in the real world. Relate it to your life or someone else's.
- Say your dialogue alone in front of the mirror. Look at how your hands look and move, then change them to suit the scene and the characters.
- Be passionate about what you do. If you like something, don't be afraid to show it.
- Read every good book you can find. As you read the story, you are forced to imagine how the characters will react.
- Remember, use your whole body to show how you feel, not just your voice.
