Someone can step on stage and steal the show.They pull you into their world and leave you on the edge of your seat.If you want to impress your audience, you have to show strong emotions and be a great actor or actress.
Step 1: The entire script can be read multiple times.
You need to know the whole play or movie, not just your character.The larger theme and plot of a movie, play or TV show is driven by actors.Your performance will be out of place if you don't understand the larger themes of the script.Do you know what the main theme of the work is?How does your character fit into the story?When you have a grasp on the full story, you should read your parts more than once.Focus on your character's roles and lines.
Step 2: Do you have any questions about your character?
To really get into your character, you need to think about what makes you tick and dive past what is on the page.These little facts will help you portray the character and can lead to important discoveries about how you'll play the role.Ask the director or writer for help when coming up with answers.Who am I?Where am I from?Why am I here?
Step 3: Know what your character wants.
In almost all stories, the characters want something.The basis of the plot is this.To save the world, to get a date, or simply to grab a bite to eat are all possibilities.You need to know why your character has this desire in order to accurately portray them.Your character's actions will stem from this desire.It is what motivates them.You need to note when a character's desires change.It's almost always a major scene to portray.Pick out the desires of your favorite characters.The main character in There Will Be Blood is driven by the need to find more oil.You can see it on Daniel Day-Lewis's face when he is acting.
Step 4: If you practice your lines, they will become second nature.
You shouldn't have to think about what you're going to say.You should pay more attention to how you're saying it.If you want to get to this point, you have to memorize your lines and practice them over and over again.You can bounce the conversation back and forth if you get a friend to play the rest of the parts.As you read, experiment with the lines.If you want to see how it affects your character, try them multiple times.Recording yourself and watching it later can help you see small mistakes or hear new ways to deliver the lines.Before you worry about perfect lines, focus on getting the lines down.It's important to be able to recite the words now and make them perfect later.
Step 5: Discuss the vision of the character with the director.
To find out if the director wants to go with a specific direction, sit down with them.Let them know your ideas about the character and how you see them contributing to the themes in the project, then listen to their ideas as well.You are there to serve the whole project, not just yourself.You have to be able to accept constructive criticism.Pick a direction for the character and stick with it if you don't have the role yet.Don't give people what they want.Prepare the lines in a way that feels natural to you by reading the notes.
Step 6: Put yourself in the shoes of a character.
You need to get inside the character's head to adequately represent them.Your actions and blocking aren't always written in stone, even though your words are scripted out.Knowing your character will help you if someone forgets their lines.Getting into your character's head is the process of preparing for a role.Method acting is when an actor doesn't break his character.In between takes, they stay in the role, trying to fully embody the character so that they are always perfect when playing it on camera.You can find the parts of the role that are true for you.Have you ever felt what your character is going through?Do you know anything about the struggle?You can channel your emotions into your character's lines.
Step 7: You have to commit to your roles.
It's not your job as an actor to rewrite the script so that you are more likeable, or to judge the writing or character and play a version of yourself instead.It is your job to portray a character that is believable in the movie, play, or TV show.Like the writer, director, camera person, etc., you need to work as part of a larger group to make a great show.Don't be embarrassed by what your character is doing, it's just acting.If you hold back on a scene you end up alienating the audience and coming across as unrealistic.The best actors are committed to their roles.Why is Tom Cruise an action star?He never winks, jokes, or sleepwalks his way through the script.Even in bizarre or comical situations, he always has high-energy and full commitment.To commit to a role means doing whatever it takes to portray your character realistic, not doing what makes you, the actor, look the best.Even if what your character is saying and doing doesn't make sense for what you personally would do, use your imagination until their emotions and behavior seem honest for who they are in their own lives.
Step 8: You have to learn to react.
While not everyone agrees that acting is reacting, it is still important to consider when learning about acting.You have to work on being responsive to acting situations.Listen to the other actor's lines like any other person would do in real life.If you are not the main attraction of the scene, you want to respond honestly in the voice of your character.The only believable thing between two actors is if they are both present and working off of each other.A good actor has the ability to be on stage or in front of a camera but not be distracted by the audience, camera, or crew.Stay in the moment.Don't worry about the next scene, or about whether you said your lines right in the previous scene.Charlie Day is in the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.His eyebrows, eyes, and fingers are moving when he is not speaking.He commits to his character's unpredictable energy.
Step 9: Think about your posture.
It's important to remember that posture can make a big difference.It makes you look more confident and helps you better understand the character.If your character is weak, hunch your shoulders and give up.Stand tall with your chest and head high.
Step 10: The energy of a scene should be dictated by your pace and volume.
It's tempting to fire through lines as fast as you can.This is a sure way to lose the nuances of your role.Allow your pacing and volume to mimic your character's internal state.The characters are rushing the words out.When angry characters raise their voice, they may slow down their speech to make a point or speed it up.Happy characters tend to speak louder as the speech goes on.They talk quickly.A variety of pacing and volume, depending on the scene, is a great way to show characters changing or reacting to certain events.
Step 11: The emphasis in your lines is what you should play with.
Don't forget to think about the subtext of every line.The lined is stressed.Think of it as the most important word in the sentence.It isn't important, but emphasis can have a big role in what you say.For example, "I you" has a different meaning.This is a place where famous actors can help you.Pick a character, try out a few line readings, and research an old script online for a movie you haven't seen before.When watching the movie, look at how the actor delivers his lines.This can help you notice the nuances of emphasis.
Step 12: The script needs to be respected.
Unless given permission to do so, stick to the script as much as possible.You might not be sure if there is a call-back to another line or scene, or if a director likes the exact line reading.Obey the script when in doubt.Someone will tell you if you should do something different.
Step 13: Your blocking needs to be consistent.
In a scene, blocking is where you stand.Don't change it once you've decided on blocking.Work on hitting the exact same blocking.The rest of the cast and crew can plan their own jobs.It's important for filmed projects as identical blocking allows an editor to cut between different takes without the audience noticing.
Step 14: The camera or audience should be ignored.
It's the easiest way to fall out of character.Most of the time, characters don't know that they are in a play or movie.A good way to get ready is to simply get in front of the camera.Don't react to the feeling of being watched when you notice it.Many experienced casts and crews won't make eye contact with you while you're acting, knowing that it's a natural human tendency.If you can help your fellow actors by doing the same, you should take a break.When you're nervous, be aware of what you do.Hide your hands in your sleeves or shuffle your feet if you want to play with your hair.Take a deep breath and drink some water.
Step 15: Conversation and books are used to research human behavior.
To play a diverse array of people, you need to know many people.When you meet people, listen and be quiet.Let yourself be a sponge and ask them about their lives and stories.Reading helps you understand the concepts.The same part of your brain is activated by reading as it is by acting.Specific research should be done for your part.You should find out as much as you can if it's based on a specific person or time period.Even if only subconsciously, these little facts will work their way into your performance.You act from who and what you are.You will be more interesting as an actor the older you get, because you will have more to draw from.
Step 16: You can watch and rewatch actors.
The first time you watch someone act, let the scene wash over you, like you would watch any other movie.Paying attention to each actor separately, then replay the scene.When they aren't talking, what do they do?How do they deliver?What is their posture like?How do they sell their lines?Is it possible to read the same lines differently?How do I know if it's true?Shakespeare's plays are great for seeing the artistry of acting.5 different actors are delivering the same monologue.What do they all have in common?What are the actor's artistic choices to make the character unique?
Step 17: You should go to acting classes.
These classes are a great way to practice acting in a low-pressure environment.Take note of the other students as well.What can you learn from them?Would you make any different character choices or improve their line readings?Ask your fellow actors for advice or tips on your performance when you befriend them.It's possible that a fellow actor could help you get a role.It will pay dividends later if you are friendly and kind to everyone in class.
Step 18: Take classes.
In acting in the present, you can let your character take over the action and react accordingly.It is possible to make your characters seem natural, like they are reacting to the events on the screen in real time, and not reading off a page.In urban and semi-urban areas, there are many acting classes that feature a small amount of training in the form of improvised comedy.If you want to practice acting, you can play improvised games like acting out suggestions from friends, acting with weird props, or acting short scenes with a friend.
Step 19: It's important to practice "cold readings" to get the job done.
A cold read is when a script is handed to you and you are asked to act it out.Sometimes you get 1-2 minutes to look at it, and sometimes you need to launch into it.It is easy to practice.Pick up a newspaper story and read it out loud, or even buy a book of monologues.You can read it silently and then choose a direction for the piece before it starts.This is a good way to get your mind and body ready for acting.