Do most screen actors have experience in theatre? Is it an unspoken prerequisite for a successful film career?

Answer 1

A fair number of screen actors have come from a non-stage background, using film and video work in commercials and industrial films, and modeling to gain experience and credits.
That said, a majority of actors seen on the screen gained experience working on the stage, be it school plays, community theater, or semi-pro theaters. The experience of immediate audience reaction and working with other actors is great for fine tuning an actor's skills. In many cities, the actors in community and semi-pro theaters are the local talent that makes a living in advertising and industrial films. Screen actors with some experience may return to summer theater, off-off and regional theater or touring shows to freshen up skills. In British theater (or theatre as they would spell it) there is much more exchange of actors between screen and live productions and skilled experienced actors are often found in smaller roles that are looked down upon in the states.

Answer 2

Most talented film actors have stage training. Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman , Helen Mirren, Michael Caine, Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman did theatre in New York together. And so many more! I myself want to be a film actor but am enrolling in University for Theatre Arts.

However it is not unspoken prerequisite. But it is also not discouraged. If a film director has a problem with an actor letting go of their stage techniques then what the director is dealing with isn't theatre acting its bad acting! A trained actor plays situations and contexts, the vocal or facial expressions are things they add or decrease depending on their surroundings.

I believe the copiousness of theatre gives detail to the subtleties of film!

Answer 3

NO ---- absolutely not many screen actors have no stage training what so ever and certain directors prefer it to be that way, certain that stage & screen require two different techniques. Many actors from Hollywood's Golden Age had no stage experience but later in their careers decided for various reasons to trod the boards. Many actors have had successful careers without ever setting foot on a stage in front of an audience. Lana Turner often alluded to the terror it would be to face an audience, declining lucrative opportunities to do so, even the chore of radio in front of a studio audience made her queasy.

Peace.

Answer 4

you don't need stage acting to do film acting and they are different.