When Acting in the Christian Film Industry, Sometimes You Have To Ad-Lib
By: Shana L. Anderson
Christian actors are often faced with trying to put a Christian spin on their roles, and one way they do that is by ad-libbing.
Ad-libbing is the art of making up dialogue on the spot that doesn’t appear in the script, but when delivered well, flows with the storyline.
Actors often do this when they want to play a character differently than the way it was written. It’s a type of acting that few can master, but it can be very effective when used properly.
How do you know if the role you are playing is open to ad-libbing? Here are some points to keep in mind that will help you decide if your character can be improved with this technique:
Christian actors are often the unsung stars of the Christian film industry. They are called upon to portray characters that may be different than who they really are. It can be a challenge for them to keep their true identity while acting out another role, but they do it well.
Because of their experience, they know how to adapt to any new situation they’re thrown into and come up with a solution that works. This is one of the reasons why they’re so popular in the Christian film industry. They have a knack for making things work no matter what comes their way.
When working with other people in a creative environment, it’s important to remember that everyone has an idea about what should happen next. The key is making sure everyone on set gets along and isn’t constantly disagreeing about something small like whether there should be a chair in one corner or another.
The best way to avoid conflict is by taking time every day before shooting begins and talking through any potential issues with everyone involved in making the movie – from producers down through actors all the way up until post-production.
It happens more than you might think. A Christian film actor is on a set, and he or she is working with a non-Christian crew member, who has no problem with the industry in which they’re working, but wants to know: “So what’s this whole Christianity thing all about?”
Sometimes it’s an actor on a set of a mainstream movie who looks around at his or her coworkers, who may not share their faith, and wonders if there are any tips for sharing the gospel when working on secular films.
In short, our readers want to know how they can impact those around them with whom they work.
Here are 5 principles to consider when it comes to sharing your faith in the entertainment business:
One cannot deny that the Christian film industry has been growing over the past few years. Yet, many people are still skeptical of this genre. Whether it is because of their religion or just the nature of the movies, some people will probably never be satisfied with a Christian movie.
This blog is written by a professional Christian actor who has appeared in several of these films. While he understands that most of these movies don’t win any awards, he also sees how these movies can make an impact on an audience’s life. He hopes that this blog will help him share his story and encourage others to see the potential in Christian movies.
The recent film, “Let There Be Light” starring Kevin Sorbo was a surprise hit for the Christian film industry. The movie told the story of an atheist who comes to believe in God and makes a dramatic, life-changing transformation.
Some elements of the plot were very familiar to Christians. The plot was similar to a well-known Bible story, that of Saul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus. In fact, some viewers told Sorbo that they saw parallels between him and St. Paul. However, Kevin Sorbo is not perfect–he is an actor, after all–so he made sure to include an element that was missing in the Bible account: humor!
In addition to being entertaining, stories like these can help Christians reflect on their own faith journeys. As one young viewer said, “I am not a Christian but this movie has made me question whether or not there is a God.”
I love to act. I love what it does for me. I love what it does for the people who watch me. I love the fact that when I’m done with a performance, I can look back and know that a part of me will always be there, in that character.
I’ve been acting since I was in high school, as an extra in a movie called “The Christian Side of Town,” which ironically enough, was filmed on the same streets I grew up on. It’s funny how life works sometimes.
I went to college and got my degree in theater arts and then began to work professionally as a stage actor, doing plays here and there. Then one day a friend of mine asked if I would take over the lead role in his play at church because he had to go out of town for the weekend on business. That weekend changed my life forever.
The experience was so amazing; to be able to act for God, to glorify Him through my art! At first I was reluctant because honestly, even though it was just at church, it felt like something too big for me. But after a lot of prayer and thought, I took on this challenge and put together an amazing performance that really touched people’s lives.
If you
