How to Excel as an Actor or Actress

Thoroughly study the entire script 2-3 times. It's crucial to have a deep understanding of the entire play, movie, or episode, not just your character. Actors play a vital role in advancing the overarching themes and plot of a film, play, or TV series. If you fail to grasp the broader themes and concepts of the script, your performance may feel disjointed. While reading the script, reflect on the main theme of the work and consider how your character fits into the narrative.

• Once you have a solid grasp of the overall story, revisit your parts and review them an additional 1-2 times. Pay particular attention to your character's role and lines.

Ask and answer a series of important questions about your character. To truly embody your character, you must delve deeper than what's written on the page and contemplate what drives your character. While not all of these details may be apparent on screen/stage, they will aid you in fully portraying the character and may lead to significant discoveries about your portrayal. When formulating these 'answers,' trust your instincts or seek guidance from the director or writer.

• Who am I?
• Where do I come from?
• Why am I here?

Familiarize yourself with your character's primary motivation. Every character, in nearly every story, has a goal. This forms the basis of the plot. This motivation could be anything from saving the world to simply grabbing a meal. Understanding this motivation, and the reasons behind it, is essential for accurately portraying the character. All of the character's actions will stem, in some way, from this motivation. It serves as their driving force.

• A character's motivations can evolve, and it's important to recognize when this occurs. These moments are often pivotal scenes or events in the story.
• As an exercise, try to identify the motivations of your favorite characters/actors. In There Will Be Blood, for instance, the protagonist is entirely consumed by the desire to discover more oil. Every action, expression, and emotion reflects this unyielding, fervent greed, which is evident in Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in every scene.

Rehearse your lines until they become second nature. You should never have to pause and consider what you're about to say. Instead, your focus should be on how you deliver your lines. The only way to reach this level of proficiency is by repeatedly practicing your lines, striving to recite them without referring to the script. Enlist a friend to play the other characters so you can realistically engage in dialogue.

• Experiment with your delivery as you rehearse. Try different intonations or emphasis on words and observe how it influences your character.
• Recording yourself and reviewing the footage later can help you identify subtle errors or discover new ways to deliver your lines.
• Prioritize memorizing the lines initially before refining your delivery. Your goal should be to recite the lines effortlessly now and perfect them later.

Discuss your character's portrayal with the director. If you've secured the role, sit down with the director to understand their vision for the character. Share your own insights about the character briefly and how you envision contributing to the project's themes, then listen to the director's perspective. Remember that your primary objective is to serve the project as a whole, not just yourself. Be open to constructive criticism and new ideas.

• If you're auditioning and haven't yet been cast, choose a direction for the character and commit to it. Avoid attempting to please others. Instead, prepare the lines according to your natural instincts after reviewing the notes.

Empathize with your character. You cannot effectively portray a character unless you can understand their perspective. Even though your dialogue is scripted, your actions and movements aren't always predetermined. Furthermore, having a deep understanding of your character enables you to improvise in case someone forgets their lines. Preparing for a role involves immersing yourself in your character's mindset, striving to embody them authentically.

• Method acting involves remaining in character between takes on set. Actors stay in character, fully inhabiting the role, to ensure seamless performance during filming.
• Identify aspects of the role that resonate with you. Have you experienced emotions similar to those your character is feeling? Do you relate to their struggles? Find ways to channel your emotions into your character's lines for a more convincing portrayal.

Devote yourself to your roles. Your role as an actor isn't to alter the script to make yourself more likable, nor is it to critique the writing or character and portray a version of yourself instead. Your task is to embody a character that could convincingly exist within the world of the movie, play, or TV show. Just like the writer, director, and other crew members, you must collaborate as part of a cohesive team to produce an exceptional performance.

• Don't feel self-conscious about portraying actions your character engages in, as it's all part of acting. Holding back during intense, violent, sexual, or emotionally challenging scenes only disconnects the audience and appears 'unrealistic.'
• The most renowned actors fully immerse themselves in their roles. Ever wondered why Tom Cruise remains an action star? It's because he never breaks character, jokes, or delivers half-heartedly through the script. He consistently exhibits high-energy and complete dedication, even in unconventional or humorous situations.
• Dedicating yourself to a role means doing whatever is necessary to authentically portray your character, prioritizing the character's realism over personal vanity.
• Even if your character's actions and words differ from your personal inclinations, employ your imagination until their emotions and conduct feel entirely genuine for who that character is within their own context.

Learn to respond. While opinions may vary on whether acting is reacting, it remains an important aspect to consider in acting. This entails honing your ability to respond appropriately in any given acting scenario. Pay close attention to the other actor's lines, listening attentively as you would in any real-life conversation. Your goal is to react sincerely, embodying your character's perspective, even if you're not the focal point of the scene.

• Believable interactions between two actors occur only when both are fully engaged and genuinely responding to each other. A sign of a skilled actor is the ability to remain focused on the scene despite the presence of the audience, camera, or crew.
• Maintain your presence in the moment. Avoid prematurely thinking about the next scene or dwelling on whether you delivered your lines correctly in the previous scene.
• For a humorous illustration, observe Charlie Day in the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Even when he's not speaking, his facial expressions and gestures are animated. He wholeheartedly embodies his character's eccentric, unpredictable nature.

Consider maintaining a consistent posture. Posture may seem minor, but it can significantly impact your portrayal. It not only conveys confidence but also aids in fully embodying the character's essence. If your character is timid or feeble, slouch your shoulders and shrink away from others. Conversely, if they're heroic, stand tall with your chest puffed out and head held high.

Utilize your pace and volume to shape the scene's energy. While delivering lines, the temptation is to rush through them hastily. However, this risks overlooking the subtleties of your character's portrayal. Instead, modulate your pacing and volume to mirror your character's internal state.

• Nervous or frightened characters often speak rapidly, hurriedly delivering their words.
• Angry characters raise their voice, potentially slowing down their speech (for emphasis) or accelerating it (when overwhelmed with rage).
• Happy or excited characters typically maintain a consistent or escalating volume throughout their speech, speaking briskly.
• Varying pacing and volume, depending on the scene, effectively illustrate characters adapting or responding to specific circumstances.

Experiment with emphasizing different parts of your lines. Consider the underlying meaning of each line and adjust your emphasis accordingly. Emphasizing certain words or phrases can completely alter the message conveyed. For instance, 'I love you' carries a different implication than 'I love you.'

• Studying performances by renowned actors can serve as valuable practice. Find an old script online from a movie you haven't seen, select a character, and try delivering a few lines in different ways. Upon watching the movie, compare your delivery with the actor's choices. While there's no right or wrong approach, this exercise can help you grasp the nuances of emphasis.

Adhere to the script. Unless explicitly permitted or improvising briefly, stick closely to the script. You may not be aware of potential callbacks to previous lines or scenes, or the director's preferences for specific line readings. When uncertain, always follow the script. If improvisation is desired, instructions will be provided.

Maintain consistent blocking. Blocking refers to your movement and positioning within a scene. Once established with the director, avoid altering it. Strive to replicate the same blocking for every take, rehearsal, or scene. This ensures continuity and facilitates planning for the cast and crew.

• Consistent blocking is particularly crucial for filmed projects, as it enables seamless editing between different takes without disrupting the audience's immersion.

Stay focused and ignore distractions. Acknowledging the presence of the camera or audience can disrupt your immersion in the character. Most characters are unaware of being in a play or movie, and you should adopt the same mindset. Practice helps in maintaining focus; simply being in front of a camera and resisting the urge to react to its presence can be beneficial.

• Many seasoned performers avoid making eye contact with fellow actors during scenes, as eye contact tends to prompt reciprocal responses. Supporting your colleagues by refraining from eye contact while they perform can enhance overall performances.
• Be mindful of nervous habits, such as fidgeting or avoiding eye contact. Address nervousness by taking deep breaths and staying hydrated, rather than succumbing to distracting behaviors.

Explore human behavior through conversations and literature. Understanding a variety of people is essential for portraying diverse characters. Engage in conversations, listen attentively, and observe speech patterns and mannerisms. Reading exposes you to different perspectives and activates the same cognitive processes as acting.

• Conduct specific research for your role, especially if it's based on a real person or historical period. Incorporate these insights into your performance, enriching it with authenticity.
• Your acting draws from your humanity and life experiences. As you age, you'll accumulate more depth to infuse into your roles.

Analyze performances of admired actors. Watch scenes initially for enjoyment, then focus on individual actors during subsequent viewings. Observe their non-verbal cues, line delivery, posture, and gestures. Reflect on how you would interpret the lines differently and study classic plays like Shakespeare to appreciate acting artistry.

• Compare multiple actors' interpretations of the same role to discern their unique artistic choices and characterizations.

Enroll in acting classes. These classes offer a supportive environment to refine your craft through practical exercises and performances. Observe fellow students, analyze their performances, and seek constructive feedback. Building connections with classmates may present future opportunities in the industry.

• Cultivate positive relationships with peers, as they may offer valuable support and networking opportunities in the future.

Participate in improv workshops. Improvisation enhances your ability to embody characters spontaneously, making performances feel authentic and responsive. Seek out improv classes to develop your spontaneity and adaptability, which are invaluable skills for actors.

• Engage in improv games and exercises to hone your acting skills independently or with friends.

Master 'cold readings' for auditions. Cold reading involves performing a script on the spot, often with minimal preparation. Practice by reading aloud from various sources and interpreting the text quickly. This exercise not only prepares you for auditions but also serves as a warm-up for acting.

• Cold readings also serve as effective warm-up exercises, priming your mind and body for acting challenges.

• Express yourself fully. Acting involves using your entire body, not just your voice. Use hand gestures and body language appropriately, avoiding excessive movements.
• Visualize the script and emotions as real-life situations. Connect them to your personal experiences or those of others.
• Practice reciting your lines in front of a mirror. Evaluate your appearance, hand gestures, and adjust them to enhance the scene and character portrayal.

• Expect criticism when starting your acting journey. It's easier for others to critique than to pursue acting themselves. Stay dedicated to practicing and prove the critics wrong.