How to Create a Character for the Screen
Building a compelling character is the cornerstone of great screen acting. Unlike stage acting, where physicality and projection play a larger role, screen acting focuses on subtlety and internalisation. Patrick Tucker’s Secrets of Screen Acting provides a roadmap for actors to create nuanced, memorable characters that resonate with audiences through the lens.
Why Character Creation is Different for the Screen
Screen acting is an intimate medium. The camera captures every flicker of emotion and thought, allowing actors to communicate their character’s inner life with incredible detail. Tucker explains that this heightened focus means actors must think beyond dialogue and explore their character’s motivations, backstory, and emotional depth.
Steps to Creating a Screen-Ready Character
Start with the Script Tucker highlights the script as the foundation of any character. Analyse the text carefully, looking for clues about your character’s relationships, objectives, and conflicts. Ask yourself:
What does my character want?
What obstacles are they facing?
How do they change over the course of the story?
Develop a Backstory While the audience may never see it, a detailed backstory informs every choice your character makes. Tucker encourages actors to imagine their character’s past, considering factors like upbringing, relationships, and defining moments that shape their personality.
Understand the Character’s Objectives Every character enters a scene with a goal, whether it’s to persuade, conceal, or confront. Tucker stresses that understanding these objectives creates a clear sense of direction and purpose in your performance.
Embrace Subtext Subtext—the unspoken thoughts and emotions beneath the dialogue—is a vital part of screen acting. Tucker reminds actors that what a character doesn’t say often reveals more than what they do. Use subtext to add depth and complexity to your performance.
Collaborate with the Camera The camera acts as both a partner and an audience in screen acting. Tucker advises actors to adjust their performance based on shot size, framing, and eyelines. For example, a close-up might call for minimal physical movement, allowing the focus to remain on micro-expressions.
Bringing Your Character to Life on Screen
Use Physicality Thoughtfully Screen acting prioritises economy of movement. Tucker highlights that small, deliberate gestures—like a tilt of the head or a shift in posture—can speak volumes about a character’s state of mind.
Focus on the Eyes The eyes are a screen actor’s most powerful tool. Tucker explains that the camera picks up even the slightest changes in gaze, making your eyes a key instrument for conveying emotion and intention.
Stay Present Authenticity comes from being fully present in the moment. Tucker advises actors to listen actively to their scene partners and respond truthfully to what’s happening in the scene.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Overloading the Character: While a detailed backstory is helpful, Tucker warns against overloading your character with unnecessary details that might cloud your performance.
Forgetting the Medium: Acting for the screen isn’t the same as acting for the stage. Tucker reminds actors to adjust their performance to suit the camera’s intimacy and subtlety.
Neglecting the Technical Aspects: A great performance can be undermined by poor technical awareness. Tucker advises actors to stay mindful of framing, lighting, and eyelines.
Practising Character Creation
Film Your Rehearsals Record yourself performing scenes to see how your character translates on screen. Tucker suggests reviewing the footage to identify areas where your performance can be refined.
Experiment with Choices Try different approaches to your character’s objectives and emotions. Tucker encourages actors to explore a range of choices to discover what feels most authentic.
Observe Real People Study the behaviour and mannerisms of people who remind you of your character. Tucker highlights that real-life observations can add authenticity and specificity to your performance.
Why Great Characters Matter
A well-developed character is what stays with audiences long after the credits roll. By understanding your character’s inner life, embracing the nuances of the medium, and collaborating with the camera, you can create performances that resonate deeply and stand out in a crowded field.
Ready to take your character-building skills to the next level? Join our Acting for Camera: Secrets of Screen Acting course in Glasgow this February, or dive deeper with our Acting for Camera: Screen Acting Intensive Course. Learn how to create nuanced, compelling characters that shine on screen. Learn more or explore the intensive programme.
