When you go to a movie or play, the story may be very interesting.
Too many inexperienced actors focus only on “acting” the story as expressed in the dialogue.
However, what’s really compelling to the audience is how the each person in the story DEALS with their situation. That’s not fully expressed in the dialogue. That’s in YOU. Your behavior. And it’s what you’re hired to express in your performance. Anyone can act dialogue.
Not everyone can be compelling unless they bring all of themselves to each and every moment in their scenes. That is personal and unique to each of you, and it’s why you love certain performances and remember them for years.
I asked Tim Glenn, a writer and actor who teaches at our school, to give his perspective about this issue. I think it’s very helpful
“Writers concern themselves with the whole story and the characters and their relationships. As an actor you are concerned with your character’s journey; his experience as he experiences the events of the drama. Your job is to take it deeper, to take on the mantle of the imaginary person, who is you. So the more freedom you allow yourself in experiencing what the writer has imagined for you and what the other actors are doing to you, the more you will fulfill the potential in the character. Since you are the character, and all the character will ever be, never rest in you quest to be affected and effective as deeply as possible.
Another truth; in film and tv you are providing the raw material for an industrial product. So telling the story is not as important as most people think. Find something fresh and different in each scene, in each moment and the editor will love you and favor you whenever possible as they assemble the film. Be shut down and the same and mild and the editor will cut to more interesting and alive actors.”
TG
Best wishes,
David Kagen
Copyright 2007 David Kagen
All rights reserved
Tags: Acting Classes Los Angeles, Los Angeles Acting, Los Angeles Acting School.