I know, I knwo, you need to study and practice. BUT before you do that you have to have some special abilities to become an actor. Eg., I am an Interpreter. I know that not every person who spreaks a foregn language can be an Interpreter. Because you have to think and operate the Language in a ceratin way. I believe, it is same with acting ( and any other profession) : there have to be things that only an Actor knows how to do and when and why.
So, tell me, please, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ACTRES// OR?
2006-06-22 12:33:22 · 6 answers · asked by 123321m 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
I know there is a Technique involved and you can learn it and master and apply. BUT before I go to an acting school, I'd like to know if there are ( and I am sure that there are) prerequisites / required/ absolutely necessary skills/ abilities I have to have. Eg. - Let's take Interpreting again: before you are trained to be an Interpreter ( and that's when you truly know if you can be one) you at least have to speak a foreign language. So, same with acting: before I am taught any basics, what do I have to have?
2006-06-23 03:01:51 · update #1
There is no special ability you need to start acting, other than the desire to do it. Before you commit to a large-scale training program, I would suggest auditioning for a play or musical at your school or local community theatre. Many community theatres and professional theatres offer classes for kids and adults. I highly recommend checking these out. Your ability to interpret can only help you in your task. You only need the desire and commitment to act. I suggest reading several books on acting and auditioning to get you started--there are many to choose from. Audition by Michael Shurtleff is one of the standards. Start within your community to cut your teeth on your first production. I also recommend volunteering backstage to get to know the ins and outs of how a theatre works. If you are in a major metro area, you will have no problem finding many companies to act and volunteer with, but even small communities have local theatre. Just do some research, check out your local library or bookstore and start reading plays and auditioning. That's what it takes. Get to know the classics and contemporary dramas and comedies. Read up on different styles and schools of thought in acting, check out classes and teachers, training programs and etc. But do your research!! Not all classes/ programs are made the same. If they promise you more than an acting/ technique class--RUN! You might also look into putting together a resume and have a headshot taken of yourself. Eventually, as you get more serious, you should train in voice and speech, movement, scenework and monologues, and so forth. Hope this helps and break a leg!!
2006-06-22 15:11:18 · answer #1 · answered by johncrrll 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Either one can act, or not.
PBS recently aired a program about the late James Dean. Check your local listing to see if it is still airing. It's great. He was a phenomenal actor.
What does it take to be an actress/actor? Anyone can learn dialgoue. To be a great actor/actress is more elusive.
A well-known Broadway playwright/director told me that I am a FABULOUS actress. I don't think so. Why, because I am PETRIFIED when I hit the stage! All I can think about is "when is this going to be OVER!" I would rather have a root canal!
A well-trained actor should be able to do ANYTHING! Example: I was cast in a play, as a male. There was little dialogue, so I agreed. (The original actor dropped out at dress rehearsal.)
Luckily, I am slim and had a short haircut. I pulled it off. Several audience-goers, called me "sir." An actor MUST be a chameleon.
The more skills and abilities an actor has, the better the chance of getting work and having a long career in the business.
To be a great actor, one must study, study, study and be on stage, as much as possible. To get work, as an actor, is another issue.
No, there are NOT things that only an actor knows. One is taught "technique" in acting class, if that is what you mean." There are numerous techniques - it depends on which one a particular actor embraces - and then - draws upon to create his/her character.
2006-06-22 23:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes a lot of abilities that most people already have -- or really that most children already have and adults lose sight of in their lives.
1) The ability to pretend. Acting is in many ways like a child dressing up and pretending to be various things. You have to be able to pretend that you are not only the character in their particular situation, but you have to pretend that the situation makes perfect sense on some level, no matter how absurd.
2) The knowledge of how to analyze a script. This one can be learned, but it is a tedious process. You have to know how to look at the words a character says and figure out from that the reasons why they say it. You need to be able to know when you are relating imporant information the audience needs to know about the story and when you are showing something about the character (and not to move on the first one... movement will distract the audience from the important "plot line"). Also, what makes up the character, the character's background, how would they move, how would they speak, at what rate would they speak, which other character do they spend the most time with and why?
3) A clear speaking voice that can project under the worst of circumstances (because they always come up).
4) An ear for how people speak and an eye for how people behave.
5) Confidence (especially when you're not -- now that's acting)
6) An openness to emotion, because emotions are the foundations of why characters do what they do. They feel particular things and acton on them.
7) The ability to keep going. Not only keep going when no one casts you but keep going when the phone on stage doesn't ring when it's supposed to. Keep cool... how do you get this information out to audience that they need to know.
8) Technical things about laughter (say the next line just after it peaks), how to find your light and stand in the sweet spot (where the light will hit you best), not to "step on" other actors' lines, do up your zipper before you go onstage. You'd be surprised how many people get caught up on these simple things.
9) Share the stage with and give energy to the other actors. You're all in this together and have to depend on each other... be able to step in to help them, but know when to back off. Give them your attention and hope that they will do the same for you. Trust is a big issue in acting -- sometimes because backstabbing is, too...
10) Love it. You have to love it to do it. There's so much disappointment in not getting cast, in not getting a laugh, in faint applause that you have to love it to keep going.
... erm... those are just off the top of my head. There's probably more I could add, but I decided to stop at ten.
2006-06-22 22:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by blueowlboy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always wanted to be an actress myself... you should start going to school.. Like I want to attend barbazion school.. which you might already have the courage to speak infront of people.. I don't so I need to go to school to make it better...
2006-06-22 19:38:57 · answer #4 · answered by prettyartisichuskey 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have to stand out in the crowd, as a person people will remember there has to be something unique about you that puts you aside from the rest
2006-06-28 15:32:48 · answer #5 · answered by singing_star 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am 1 it takes practice and talent try searching online for an agent
2006-06-22 23:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by Lalalay94 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋