05 Jul Fundamentals of Acting
What are the fundamentals of acting?
What questions do your ask yourself when you prepare for a scene?
What 4 Acting choices NEVER change? These fundamental choices NEVER change whether you are a beginner or an advanced working actor:
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WHO am I?
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WHAT do I want?
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WHERE am I?
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WHO am I talking too?
Every scene has a reason to exist. Of course you tell a story and move the plot forward. But there is something else that especially for TV Shows the scene needs to accomplish. Guess? It’s an interesting one… So the viewer does NOT change the channel!! Yes every scene has its propulsion. Find out what that is and make specific, interesting, high stakes, hot acting choices.
What is a “hot” acting choice?
OK, you make a choice like, “Okay, I’m a girl.” That’s not very interesting. It has to be more specific. I’m a girl who has issues with her dad. I’m a girl who wants to drop out of school, because I can’t stand my teachers. I love to be competitive and I thrive on angry. I’ve low self esteem. I see me as, wishfully happy-go-lucky and cheerfully optimist. We call these “hot” choices so that, so that the scene starts to pop. The more specific the better. Flesh out the character even more. Where do you live? What type of foods do you eat? How about the clothes you wear. What group do you identify with, bikers, hippies, doctors etc?
So never say, just a girl.” Never say, “I’m just her friend.” Always make it as interesting and developed and complex as you can.
The 4 fundamental questions to answer.
So first thing you ask yourself: “Who am I?” The high school top athlete, a doctor, a person who is lost.
Second thing you ask yourself: “What do I want?” What do I want in this scene, what is my objective?”Get them to go to sleep. Get them out of my life.
Third thing is: Where am I? In the bedroom, park or poolside.
Fourth is: Who am I taking too? Your mom/dad, a lover, a rival.
Make your goal your objective always about getting something from the other person. Your line choices can change from line to line. Objectives change so one line my goal is to make you smile. I want to make you cry, I want to scare you. I want wake you up, I want you to say,”I love you.” I want you to laugh. These are all choices and they determine how you’re going to say your lines.