The Philosophy of Acting and Theatrical ReadinessMost of us are already actors and don’t know it. We all play a part until we get to know ourselves and learn how we fit in to the storyline of our lives. It is only then we pass from merely acting to truly being. Until then, it’s fake it till you make it. Taking what experiences do and don’t belong to you and presenting them as if they did – this is what acting is all about. Like the prophet who takes the past and the future and speaks them into the right now, the actor becomes the character in the performance of it. It should be every bit as real, every bit as natural to the outside eye, as though it were actually happening in real time. Living in the moment of the story, immortalizing the plot in the mind of the audience, blending into the scene so well that the settings, characters, activities and storyline flow in harmonious, seamless and completely believable composition is the ultimate goal.
The best actors I know don’t stand out in the scene, by virtue of their ability to blend. They act without any evident self-consciousness, much the same way most of us put on our game face before stepping up to the plate, making that sale, going for that job interview, or asking the boss for a raise. You put your best foot forward and step out with whatever confidence you can muster up and you close that deal! So it is with the accomplished actor.
By all means, feel free to come prepared with something and put yourself out there a little bit when you go for an audition or interview. Use your imagination and have fun with it. There’s a real charm to it all even if it’s something you have to fake till you make (hopefully not in a William Hungish way, though). Even the most stinging wit can be charmingly assaulting to the senses or, at least, attention getting. If you’re normally a very quiet, reserved person, GET OVER YOURSELF – No, just kidding! But seriously, there’s ways to reach down inside of yourself and pull out a character that is not entirely incongruent with who you really are, in a humorous and playfully exaggerated way. Remember: you can get away with practically anything with anybody, as long as they know it’s all in fun.
That being said, no matter what, it is always important for the aspiring actor to exhibit professionalism on the set. Have fun and be yourself but remember to represent your agency with a respectful, positive and cooperative attitude. If possible, find and introduce yourself to the director right away. Pre-read the script and get an idea of what your part is, how it should be portrayed.
As you prepare for your scenes, remember: every scene has a beginning and an end. Try to look at the whole scene, the big picture, first, and then break it into segments which connect seamlessly. Rehearse in your mind how you will enter, transition and exit. This is called blocking. This will often help you to fill in and improvise where need be. Not everything will be spelled out for you. Other actors don’t always remember their lines so it doesn’t always help to cue off of what they say.
The important thing is to find the right mix of method acting and the director’s vision, remember the gist of each scene, and know it so well you can carry it yourself if need be. Some of the best actors I’ve ever worked with put a lot of time mentally into what they are to be saying and doing, forcing themselves to concentrate on each block and then when they’re performing they do it in such a way that they look completely natural. You hardly even notice them apart from the totality of the picture. This kind of acting is really a zone that you get into once you’ve spent sufficient time premeditating. When it comes time to perform you just do.
Bottom line: do what works for you. Jim Carey often does many, many takes of the same scene until he gets it right, other times he nails it right away. But when you’re starting out as an unknown you can’t afford the luxury of many takes. It depends on the director and a lot of times, as Eminem says in Eight Mile, “you get one shot.”
There are many and varied techniques and styles used by actors. Everyone has their own learning paradigm. John Wayne used to draw his lines out real slow when he first started out so the camera would stay on his face longer. This may get you more camera time or it may get more of your face on the cutting room floor! It’s all about the method and the madness – and how well you play with others. Anthony Hopkins says he thinks about what he’s saying as he says each line - so that it appears natural and unrehearsed. Whatever works for you is what’s important. Each person processes through things differently. There are general acting guidelines that may benefit you, or not. The ultimate goal to strive for is what is called in the biz, “believability”. That’s what you want to achieve in every scene. That comes from developing synergy with your fellow actors, with your environment and with those who are directing you.
Being in the right place at the right time happens as you continue to put yourself out there and pursue acting opportunities. You'll know it when it happens. It is nothing you can plan, but it is something you can increase the chances of occurring in your life - it happens as you place yourself in situations where such opportunities are most likely to occur. Now get out there and "break a leg!"
About The Author:
Read more about Jamie Winkler's story here: http://www.creativeartproductions.com/mystory.html
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