01 Aug CGI Acting: Tips for Preparation
As actors, we are challenged to use our imaginations — especially when it comes to CGI acting! At my acting studio, 3-2-1 Acting Studio in Los Angeles, we prepare our students for a variety of on-set scenarios…including working with CGI.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, CGI stands for “computer generated imagery,” and the term CGI is sometimes used interchangeably with VFX (short for visual effects). Basically every single Science Fiction movie you’ve seen makes use of CGI acting!
When you see an actor on screen interacting with a dinosaur, an alien, a fairy, or a stuffed animal that comes to life…that’s all CGI. As you might imagine, there is no dinosaur on set. It’s up to the actor to react believably, while standing in front of a green screen, next to either a tiny hanging ball, or perhaps a creature performer! Creature performers are performers and actors that specialize in non-human movement and CGI acting. On set, they typically wear full green body suits (to match the green screen) with their heads fully covered as well. Sometimes they do wear full prosthetics that replicate the appearance of the actual creature in the scene.
For the fun challenge of CGI acting, I have some specific tips:
Become an eyeline master
You can do this while you work on self tapes! When you are on set doing CGI acting, the crew will often hang an item, such as a ball, for you to look at — and pretend with. You can place colorful sticky notes on your wall while practicing your material, and get great at focusing!
Work your imagination!
Of course, it’s always essential for actors to use their imaginations. When you are working on sci fi and fantasy films in particular, it is your job as the actor to bring to life — on set, with little visual input — the vivid graphics that are going to be added in post-production. This requires a clear and vivid use of your imagination.
Create imaginary scene partners
This exercise is fun! Choose a scene from your favorite fantasy or sci fi film (or really any scene that involves one human and one CGI non-human).
Really visualize the animal or creature that is in the scene with you — and get very clear on the details of your environment.
After you’ve done your prep work, invite a friend over (or meet with them on Zoom) to help! Your friend does not actually need to be there in person. They could even be on the phone. Have them read the lines of your non-human scene partner from the side as an audio cue — just as someone would be reading the lines off-camera on set. Stay focused on your imaginary scene partner, and let your vision come to life.
Hang items from the ceiling
To take this a step further, if you are safely able to do so, you could hang a ball from a ceiling fixture (emphasis on safety!). You could also print images from the internet and hang those.
For example, if you are doing a scene with a very cute talking puppy, it might help you to print the cutest photo of a puppy that you can find. This will help to stimulate a genuine reaction.
Get clear on your character’s costume details
Sometimes, you will be the one whose image will be altered in post-production. That means that your costume or appearance could be digitally altered and that you may not have a costume to help make you feel more “in character” on set.
For this reason, it’s great to imagine your OWN appearance, and to practice moving around in a way that, for example, a centaur might (if you are lucky enough to play a centaur!).
Have fun!
Of course, as you work on more and more film sets, you will be exposed to more CGI acting! In the meantime, enjoy exploring this unique art form at home.
