Acting on stage and
acting in front of a camera may seem similar to those who don’t
know better. However, every aspiring actor knows that the stage and
the camera demands different things from its actors. With that in
mind, here are a few tips for acting for a film:
All-Natural
Everyone knows that
“practice makes perfect”. However, you should practice on the
natural delivery of your lines, especially since the best actors in
the history of film had a knack for uttering the cheesiest or most
bone-chilling lines in film in such a natural way.
Your benchmark should
be this: when practicing lines, people who overhear you speaking
should be fooled into thinking you are merely having a conversation
with someone. If you haven’t reached that level, keep working at
it.
Subtlety
Today’s film cameras
are so powerful that they can detect even the smallest movements,
unlike the stage where movements should be exaggerated so that even
the farthest viewer can see what happens. Do not be afraid to execute
subtle movements when the scene calls for such. At times, the most
subtle of movements create the largest of impacts.
Watch Films
It is no secret that
many actors borrow certain mannerisms from other actors. With that in
mind, watch as many films of different actors as you can. Moving
performances by great actors can help inspire you to create your own
way of performing, eventually making you an inspiration to future
actors.