Acting techniques 101... I'm reading for a part, never had formal acting training.?

Question

So, I have to read some lines in front of a camera for a role in a movie.

Although I think I kind of know what I'm doing, I've never had actual 'acting training'

Are there any subtle, idiosyncratic, or otherwise unacceptable things that a newbie would do that would be frowned upon in an audition?

Things like, do I talk to the camera? should I try to 'act out' what I'm saying with movement? I'm reading a monologue 'in the style of a rousing speech that a general would give his troops before going into battle.' Is voice strength fluctuation a good thing? (i.e. be loud, softer, etc?) Do newbies generally read too slow? too fast?

Hints! Techniques! Help!
Thanks.

Answer 1

Newbies, in general, usually read as if they're reading. Since you already know your script, get yourself into character and stay in character as if the scene were actually happening and you were the actual character. How you would deliver that speech if you were really doing it. Stay focused on the character and with practice, it will come out as it should. Don't think about looking at anything. Glance at your script occasionally in the audition but don't keep your head down. In other words, work on memorizing. If you are truly in character you won't see the people on the set, you will see the group you are addressing in the script. "Method acting."

Answer 2

Since you don't have time for acting training before this two words of advice to get you through this: BE YOU. Worry about nothing else.

If you should continue with acting. Yes, you might want to rank up some trainihng. You're getting auditions without any training....Kudos on that! Determiniation to succeed--check.

As you learn your technique remember not to try to focus on everything at once. Baby steps. Also, if you should choose a scene study make sure the scene study actually teaches technique. Many don't--they simply critque.

Eveventually as you act in class more, audition more, it will become more natural and you won't have to physcially be thinking: "Ok I gotta do this then that..then thise". Like driving a car, at first you think..ok start..no no..seat belt..start...in gear..ok..then..o yeah turn signal.....but then evetually it is natural no thinking required.

Thinking is a HUGE no-no in acting. REMEMBER: The worst thing you can do in acting is ACT. Weird, but true.

Don't beat youtself up if you have a "bad" audition. I have auditions, where my experience shines through and then I have auditions where you'd swear I'd never acting aday in my life as I make amauetur mistakes left and right.

There are Casting Directors out there who know this boy got skill and others who think I can't act my way out of a box. Remember, let them have their opinion. Because it doesn't matter-why? Because you should ACT for YOU. Not THEM.

Amen.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Make The Camera Love You!

Newbies often talk too fast or try and deliver the whole thing DIRECT to camera.

Remember that the casting director will be watching onscreen and will want to see if you look genuine. Break down your monologue and identify parts that you are addressing to 'individuals' in your audience (the troops). Set up at least 3 spots that your eye will come to rest when delivering lines to these individuals. For example - one point might be direct to camera - another to the left and another to the right. (It is tough to deliver a whole speech into camera wihtout it becoming fake!)

Only 'act out' the monolgue if the script needs it. From what you say of your monolgue choice (a speech) it should only need basic gestures to accompany and emphasize the words.

Of course you must show flexibility in your voice. Again - break down the script into sections so you know what lines/sections need to be delivered hard and fast; slow and soft; firmly; encouragingly etc. (Write some adjectives in the margin of your script to remind you your tone of voice in each section and practive the changes)

Best of luck - I'll leave you with 6 Top Tips For TV and Film Acting from Mediatricks.com....

1. Less is more. The camera is six feet in front of you, not sixteen rows, and it can capture every last expression on your face. You don’t need to make large ‘theatrical’ gestures or use your whole body. The smallest look on your face can say so much, and often more effectively.

2. No need to project to the cheap seats. A boom microphone will be hanging over your head, picking up your every word. You can deliver your lines right to the camera or the other actor and not worry about having to speak up for the benefit of the proverbial old lady in the back row. Use this opportunity to exercise what you can do with your voice for a softer moment. Be intimate, be subtle, more so than you could effectively do on the stage.

3. Consistency and continuity. Understand that what you do in a scene has to cut together with the other shots of that scene. If you scratch your head on your first line in angle 1, but on your second line in angle 2, the editor may not be able to put the scene together too well without making it seem like you have head lice. Being consistent with your physical actions, your eyeline, your props will make your performance flow far more smoothly in the editing room.

4. Save it for the take. Don’t use up the best of your emotions on one take, or, worse, in the rehearsals before the camera rolls. Understand how many angles and takes are going to be required to make the scene happen. Budget your emotions accordingly, and put your best work into your close-ups, not when you’re in the background or off-camera. Inevitably, takes are going to be wrong for technical reasons as well as performative - if you put your all into the first take, and the camera jams, what will you do for take 2? Work with your director and find new ways of approaching the material each time, so that it does not get stale.


5. Bear with people. Lighting takes forever. Setups take forever. Everything, in fact, takes forever, or close to it. An actor who is able to bear with the long process of a shooting day, who understands that spending an hour to do a minute’s worth of acting is not an insult to the craft, is an actor who directors enjoy working with.

6. Understand what is being shot at the moment. What you need to do in your shot changes completely if the camera is a close-up on your face or a wide shot focusing on your left side; it is also important to know if the director plans to cut away to something, shoot it a different way later, et cetera. If you need to know if something you’d like to do will be relevant for the shot at hand, just ask; the director or the script supervisor will be happy to explain the breakdown of the scene to you. Acting for the camera is an unusual process, but it is very rewarding to see your work on the silver screen. As Spencer Tracy said, “Learn the lines and don’t bump into the furniture.”

Answer 4

ya always have your lines with you but dont read them act them out if a casting agent asks you a question ask it back first thing you do when you walk in the room is come in with alot of energy smile slate then profile
slate is to say hi im ur name and im your age years old
profile is to turn to the left smile turn to the right smile then back to the center and smile
never tell an agent that you dont like a picture because they might love it read so the agents can here you always use movement dont put your hands in your pockets never figet and while reading your lines if you make a mistake just keep going unless the agents tell you otherwise after you finish your lines smile for three seconds or untill the agent says cut always have alot of personallty and always look at the agents or the camera

Answer 5

Don't act. What ever you are going to do in front of that camera or audience make it as natural and as effortless as chewing gum.

Know your material, if a particual word or scence is not clicking for you and your fellow actors, go to
your personal reserve and garner the reaction that is similar in your life to that of the text of the script.

Bring life and action to the words on the page,
don't go over board, or you will go from being in the action of the scene to being in the background along with the stage props. Break a leg, and relax. You will do fine.

Answer 6

What i find helpful is picking a few or several points where i picture the audience ( the people in your Soliloquy or Monologue [ which in you case are troops] ) DO NOT STARE AT THE CAMERA THE WHOLE TIME but give short 10 second glances.
break a leg on your audition.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

memorize get into character, be expressive, make it seem real, and #1 is put exitement and life into it!!! also pretend the scene is accually happening to you.

Answer 9

You just have to make believe. That's what acting is all about make believing.