Acting for Film

Today’s blog on acting for film was inspired by my time directing Wonderland.

Acting for camera and acting for the stage are incredibly similar. But where they differ, it is important to know.

REHEARSE ON YOUR OWN

On Wonderland, we had a chance to rehearse. This is as rare as rocking horse shit. After the set up and camera rehearsal, after the 1st AD has explained the set up of the scene, the director may have time to work with you.

In film, the actor’s performance is only a small portion of the director’s time, vital, but small. That means you have to do as much as you can for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for a moment with the director, but the machinery of the film will swallow up his or her time, so pick your moment wisely.

For this reason, you have to work alone in your preparation. This can be lonely and uncertain. Of course, if you are like my clients and have a professional acting coach to work with, you have the certainty of bouncing your ideas off someone in advance. And even if none of them are used, you have the confidence to walk on set with an idea of what to do next.

PROJECT TO THE AUDIENCE

A simple rule for vocal production and project. In theatre,  you send the energy of your voice to the back wall of the theatre. For film, you send it to the boom. So even if you’re shouting goodbye to someone leaving down the hall, your voice should only project as far as the boom is away from you.

THE DIRECTOR IS THE AUTHOR

The director is the author or auteur of the film. It’s important to think of them as the writer of the film in its fullest 360 degree sense. The screenwriter writes a screenplay, the director writes the film with the collaboration of all the other players.  Try to get close to the director’s understanding or vision for the film, tailor your understanding to theirs.

DO SOMETHING, MAKE IT SIMPLE, BUT DO SOMETHING

In the scene, you need to do something. The simplest thing is the psychological task suggested by the scene. Do it simply, do it lightly, but do it.

WHEN TO BE A MOUSE AND WHEN TO BE A LION

After ‘cut’ is called, you are a mouse. Until ‘action’ is called, you’re a mouse. Between Action and Cut, that’s your time, it’s all yours, you’re a lion, roar, make your noise, do your thing, live and thrive. And when they call ‘cut’ – go back to being a mouse again.

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