How to Become a Better Actor

[DumbBlondeBit]

Heyy.....I have a favor to ask of you....I am doing a project for debate class and I need to write up the top ten ways to become a better actor...and I need submissions from people like you to make this project possible....so can you please give your input??I thankya.

[Its Alive]

The better actor is the better listener, whether for instruction, inspiration, or anything.

[Jesus]

stop sucking

[Josiahzacks]

stop sucking

word to that

[ria]

research your character. give it a family history, with relatives and memories and experiences that have made him/her the way he/she is.

when you're speaking, don't forget to project your voice. where will you be performing? what are the accoustics like in that area? alter your vocals to fit your surroundings.

sometimes you want to work against what you think should be done. it's tough, but it works. like, if your character is speaking about something that really troubles them, you might be more inclined to speak softly and be sad, but you really need to light up a bit, try to add a little bit of.....how should i say this.....excitement, almost, into what you're saying, without seeming to be too happy about it. like i said, it's tough, but it's definetaly worth it.

if you have a really active, exciting (or excited) character, try to go over the top and then pull yourself back. add every exaggeration possible to your words and actions, and then tone it down a little. you should reach just the right level of interest and excitement between your character and the audience.

and absolutely yes to the listening. you have to be able to listen before you can act.

these are all things that i learned from my drama instructor this year. if i remember anything that i've forgotten, i'll post it later.

[Forensicatur]

Just have fun when you are performing...if you aren't, your performance will suck and that is that 8)

[ria]

if you aren't do that? i'm confused.

[JoeleDaCuban]

Well... school is probably over for you, but I'll say it anyway....

What you should do to become a better actor is to not act at all. Just be real. Just do it.... yeah

[OneMagicDay]

What you should do to become a better actor is to not act at all. Just be real. Just do it.... yeah

I really like that one, actually. Without believabilty, you have nowhere to go. And whatever you do, don't OVERdo it.

Hope that helped a little...

[WonderingAlice]

Late but still good way to become a better actor:


Get as much exposure as possible. The more your on stage and around theatre or Speech the better you'll become because the more experience you'll have.

This year I was on my school's Improv team, worked on the plays, tried out for plays (finally made one! yeah, go Much Ado About Nothing!!), did Speech every weekend with practice during the week, took classes, etc.


The more you do with something the better you'll become.

[narcotictwizzler]

I like this thread!

..I also firmly agree with the 'just... do it' comment. On the other hand, if you want something a little more concrete, read some Stanislavsky(sp?). I thought it would be dumb to read about something so intangible, but we had to for an adv drama class, and it really is helpful. A big chunk of it probably seems like common sense, but it's all practices that you should go through if you want to develop a solidly believable character.

word.

[DCdisco]

Some of this has been metioned before......but I'll say it again.......

This past year, I did Shakespeare for my Father......

The first and main objective in becoming a better actor is that you need to have good material to work with......if you have a so-so script, its alright........but a poor one......no. Judges, at least in MN, have to look at Literary Merit. You need to make sure, when you cut, that you have a story to tell, not just a piece of the puzzle. You don't want to confuse your audience. You need a beginning, middle, and end to work with.

You need to delve into the psyche of your character. You need to find out what type of personality they have......You need to find out, in essence, what makes that person (or any and all of your characters) tick. Example......in SFMF, I was Lynn Redgrave, daughter of a stage Legend......acting was her passion......but she was always afraid of never measuring up......so she had an appearance of confidence, yet an underlying theme of insecurity.

You need to research your character, if it is a real person. Lynn Redgrave IS a real person. I watched the movies she has made, found pictures of her, read her biography.......i also had to read up on her father and lawrence olivier, too; both of them legends on the stage. I needed to BECOME those people without hesitation. They all have their quirks......I needed to find them.

You need to discover exactly how they would talk. Lynn had a proper English accent with a hint of cockney, but not much. She has been somewhat Americanized in her speech. The accent wasn't heavy, because she's lived in America for 30 years + ........

And finally, you just need to practice practice practice......and have as many critiques as you can........have parents watch it, coaches, friends, as many people as you can......the more people that see your performance, the better idea you can get of what your audiences want.

Hopefully that helps...... :lol:

[chrispac]

you are your best critic, videotape yourself, act blindfolded, act without speaking, act with ONLY speaking, etc.

[DCdisco]

The hardest performances are done in front of people that you know.....family, friends.......people who know you.

I always find it easier to perform in front of people I don't know.......that way, i can concentrate on my performance, rather than what they think of me.......

Practice in front of the people you know best.....the harder it is to perform in front of them, the easier it would be to perform at meets and tourney's.......

[IamTHATnerd]

ok, all this "be real" and "get in touch with your inner character" stuff is making me sick. honestly, learn by watching. watch other people act, GOOD people, take that, put your twist on it, and work your magic. and, of course, as said before, please for the love of all things holy, DONT SUCK!!

[oosweetnesssoo]

RESPECT YOUR AUDIENCE.

[tamereestoprah]

well, it helps to try and fight the same struggles that your character fought. I mean, I have to dance ballet in my DI next year and I am going to go take a class to try and get better. it's just going to lengths to connect with the characters.

I know all of this stuff sounds stupid, but it is hard and it all works.

and if there is one thing that I have learned at ut about acting which row so well perpetuated: respect the audience and be honest as the character.

[exxkon]

I would recommend doing some research on major American acting teachers/techniques of the 20th century. These include Stanislavisky, the pioneer of modern American theatre, as well as those who branched off of him, including Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and my favorite, Sanford Meisner.

I am currently reading a book on Sanford Meisner now, which follows him through a 15-month acting course. If you have the patience the read the entire thign through, and you have some good experience with acting like myself...you will be ENLIGHTENED! Read Meisner!!!! He's a genius!

[IamTHATnerd]

Yes, and i would recommend travelling the world, studying every single acting technique there is, hands on. then, you should set up a childrens fund for under privelaged kids who want to act. then you should check out every single book in your local library containing the word "acting" in it and memorize it. after all of this, you should have a decent base to begin your acting. but be sure to do all 3 things, or else you cannot fully grasp the true art of acting . . . 8)

[IamTHATnerd]

exxkon, give me a break. this is high school speech competition, not julliard. lol when it comes to speech, you either have it or you dont. if you do, then you work with what you got. period. lol this thread is hilarious.

[Ryan]

I actually completely agree with Exxkon. The similarities between interp and acting are very numerous. I've read the teachings of such instructors as Stanislavsky and Chekov and the lessons I've learned I have really incorporated in mass into my own work. It especially pays off in DI where you must truly engross yourself into a character. The little things are what win you to big tournaments.

[narcotictwizzler]

IamTHATnerd, I definitely disagree. Granted, I enjoyed the sarcasm because you have a point about not taking this too far, but there is such a thing as technique in acting. A lot of it IS just natural talent, but there are definitely ways to become a more convincing performer.

Besides, someone asked for advice. What's wrong with trying to give it?