Here are the 12 steps to helping you become a better actor.
1. Be present
2. Be open
3. Be focused
4. Be flexible
5. Be vulnerable
6. Be aware of our strengths and weaknesses
7. Be ready to adjust or change when needed
8. Learn from your mistakes and successes then move on without dwelling too long on either one
9. Have fun with it and enjoy the ride!
10. Don’t edit yourself or worry about being judged by anyone else, including yourself
11. Don’t hold back or play it safe, always go for broke! (Just make sure you bring it back in case you go too far!)…
This is a blog for actors to get a better understanding of the process of performing. From learning lines, finding the character and what the director thinks. It’s all here!
I created this blog because I want people to be more informed about the process of acting and how to do it effectively.
I hope everyone finds this useful and gets a better sense of how to become a better actor.
When I first started acting and performing, I would go to all of the classes that were offered by my city. I attended all of the workshops and even went to camps. All of these things were great, but I was still struggling in my performances. I wasn’t sure why this was the case, so I started doing some research on what other actors do.
I had read a lot of different things and tried out a lot of different methods. Some worked and others did not work for me at all. The one thing that really stuck out to me was “the twelve steps” approach that so many actors take to their craft. They first write down on a piece of paper the things they want to do in the scene, then they go over the list and make sure it is what they really want to do, then they rehearse it over and over again until it is perfect.
It may seem like this is an oversimplification, but it really isn’t as simple as some people think. The reason why it is so hard for most actors to get into character or feel comfortable with their scene partners is because they don’t know how to be themselves while still being someone else at the same time.
The best way
I am a professional actor and have been since 2011. After many years of experience, I have realized there is a lack of knowledge and resources for actors trying to get started or even actors that are working and need some extra guidance. It seems like there is only so much you can learn in acting classes and even in professional only classes. There always seems to be a missing link or a void that can’t be filled, until now.
I have compiled 12 simple steps that will help every actor with their craft. The 12 steps can be read in any order but I recommend going through them all as each one contains useful information for the aspiring actor.
Before we get started, let’s define what an actor is: An actor is someone who transforms themselves into another character through their voice and body. An actor personifies the character they are portraying by living as him/her for the duration of the show or film.
Sometimes actors get caught up in the idea of being seen, that if the audience doesn’t see your acting, then you are doing something wrong. The fact is, the audience, especially if they are new to theater, are watching all of you. They are seeing every nuance, every facial expression and body movement.
It is time for actors to recognize that the audience is watching them for a reason. They want to feel connected to what is happening on stage. They want to be part of it. This means that you need to let them see you. You need to reach out with your eyes, your gestures and your words so that they see what you think and feel.
The biggest mistake actors make when they get caught up in the idea of being seen is that they forget how important their actions are. This leads them to take things way too seriously. The most successful performances are ones where the actor has been able to connect with their audience and allow them to see them as a real person. When actors start taking things too seriously, it makes it difficult for the audience to connect with them.
This leads us right into our next point: not taking things too seriously can be a problem as well. We’ve all heard stories about actors who have gotten so wrapped up
This post is for actors who have begun to recognize that traditional acting techniques don’t work. If you’ve been frustrated by the results of your training, if you’re completely fed up with the way mainstream acting classes teach you to act, I have some good news for you. You don’t need a new teacher, and you don’t need a new technique. You just need to stop doing what doesn’t work. Here are 12 habits to give up immediately:
1. Stop trying to “become” the character. That’s impossible. There’s only one you, and no method can transform you into someone else, let alone make it look effortless on stage or on film.
2. Stop pretending to feel emotions you don’t feel. It never works. Even when it looks like it’s working, it isn’t working. The audience isn’t fooled and neither are you.
3. Stop analyzing scripts for subtext and backstory and motivation, etc., etc., etc. In real life we never figure out why we do things; why should your character? Going through that exercise in class will only give you things to pretend on stage or camera that will ultimately get in your way
4. Stop learning lines like a machine–word-for-word–
If you’re an actor, you need to be different from the other actors and actresses. You need to find your own style, your own approach to the character. Always remember to be yourself when approaching a character. This is what will make you stand out from the crowd.
We’ve all heard this before, but what does it mean? It means that we should always try to find new ways of doing things. For example, if you’re an actor, you might want to take a dance class. Or if you’re an actress, you might want to learn how to play the guitar. Whatever it is, it will be something that makes you different from everyone else!
It’s also important for actors and actresses to think about their future careers as well as their present ones. There are many actors and actresses who never really get anywhere in their careers because they don’t think about where they’re going or how they’ll get there!
