What should I do if I want to act in school plays, in tv or in movies only I cant because I lack confidence?

Question

What should I do to increase my confidence cause someday i want to act in movies and tv shows and i need to be more confident immedietly cause we have a play coming up and im to afraid that i may flunk and i have the role with many lines... What should i do?

Answer 1

First of all, everyone are afraid when they go on stage; it's natural and even necessary for you to perform better because the rush of adrenaline keeps you focused and attentive. However, when the fear begins to overcome you think about the part that you are auditioning for: what is this character all about, but what's even more important is, what would that character do in the same situation that you are in. This is how you "forget about yourself" and you discard your fears, and you start to embody the character that you are suppose to play. Another thing would be is to keep reminding yourself, why are you doing this in the first place- because you love it, you want it and you can be good at it too; it's the same thing when a surgery resident has to cut the first patient in their career, they are scared too, yet, it has to be done, since they know that this is their calling. Is acting your calling? then, use all that energy that you get everytime you panic and channel it to play the character. About a lack of confidence- always know your lines beforehand, and maybe even try to work with a friend that can help you memorize if you need it; after that, try and understand what the character is all about and try (on your own) to mimic what would that character probably do. When you reach the audition, knowing your lines and having solid and well founded opinions about how the character is like it'll give you the confidence boost that you need- try and imagine it like you are studying for a test: if you've studied then there is no reason to panic and there's no reason to lose confidence, the same goes for auditions.
I hope that helped and good luck

Answer 2

first remember that you aren't the only one who has faced this problem. I heard that Lawrence Oliver would throw up before every performance but he went on anyway. If you enjoy acting, then by doing what you enjoy you will build up your confidence. People who let fear dictate their lives never do anything. Think of those people who care about you and love you and picture them cheering you on. I write poetry and there was a time when I didn't have the confidence to share my work with anybody, but as I started sharing it I built my confidence and though I have not as yet had any of my poetry published, I have read one of my poems at a funeral, and have had people request copies of this and others of my poems.

Answer 3

Pamper yourself, make more friend live your life and try not to worry about what others think to much, tell yourself your looking good, chat someone up if your rejected try it on some else, do something excited at least once a week buy new clothes (bright colours and bold print) dance every now and again where/whenever you feel like exercise for 30 mins a day have fun good luck

Answer 4

It sounds like you have severe stage fright. In that case, just toughing it out won't cure you--you need more specific techniques.

Sometimes it helps to do deep-muscle relaxation. In other cases, you need to do psychological relaxation techniques. I'd love to give you complete instructions for both of them here, but it would take far too much time.

Instead, I'll refer you to good books on acting (such as Hagen's "Respect for Acting" or anything by Robert Lewis) for some of the techniques, particularly the deep-muscle ones. The psychological techniques are usually available as relaxation cds in bookshops (you know that little display with the new age stuff and pushbuttons that lets you hear them?) or on videotapes about relaxation techniques for public speaking (Joe Ayres did a good one).

Answer 5

You have to learn that acting takes courage. You have to be able to stand up in front of everyone and speak the lines and reveal emotions. You have to take criticism. You have to take rejection. So, as Shakespeare said "assume a virture if you have it not," (act like you are confident even if you aren't) and "screw your courage to the sticking place" (Make your courage fast and secure. Break a leg.

Answer 6

I have found that one of the best cures for being afraid of something is to get up there and try it anyway. It's like desensitization therapy for phobics - the more times you experience something, the more often you'll realize that you're not going to die even if something goes wrong :-)

Break a leg!

Answer 7

The only thing to do is do it! Work hard, do your best, have fun with it. You can't wait for confidence, you have to build it by going ahead, even when you don't feel confident!