27 May Correct Eye lines & Body positions for TV/Film Actors
Correct Eye lines and Body positions for TV/Film Actors
OK you’re on set, preparing to do an emotional scene. The camera man has just measured how far your face is from the camera lens. You experience a large, uncomfortably close camera lens in your face. They place you nose to nose to your scene partner in preparation for an over the shoulder shot. You feel like you have no room to breathe, let alone deliver a stellar performance.
What is this all about? Can you move? Where do you look? How do you know you are in the correct position to please the director? What do you need to know so they can get the shot? The set is noisy. Grips, lighting guys, set dressers, dolly operators all stomp around. Make up artists, wardrobe and hair stylists are doing last minute touch ups. All during this ruckus you need to concentrate, focus and be ready in a minutes notice for 3-2-1 ACTION!
This is the reality of TV/Film Acting. Unlike theater and stage which requires large body movements, on-camera does not. In order to help the production save time and money (they will love you) please learn where to look. You also want to know what your body position is in relation to the camera lens.
Being aware of the camera lens is essential. You don’t want to block your face nor step out of the light either. Yes there is “your” light to worry about too.
Learning this will please the director and give the film editor footage that he can use. And you job is to perform under the aforementioned conditions. Can you do it? Yes you can! Breathe, concentrate and focus. 3-2-1 Action!
