Stage and film actors doing role research?

Question

I have an assignment in which I have to research how stage and film actors prepare for a character. This includes them observation, research, and character development. It would be helpful if you could tell me stories of actors, famous or not, preparing for a role, techniques for doing so, or even a helpful website. I understand that this is a weird request, but any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Many film actors prepare by living a bit of the life that their character leads such as learning their trade (bartending, waitressing, etc.) and going to work in a place of business that will let you perform that trade. Sometimes hanging out with coworkers to get a better feel for the life of someone who works in that environment.

I searched for the phrase "researched her role" and the links below are some pages that came up but you can change the word to 'his' or use different phrasing
http://www.r-witherspoon.com/projects/film/2007_rendition.php (look under trivia and facts)
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809233447/smg (look under "Bet you didn't know"
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0656686/bio

Many still get private coaching from well-known acting teachers. Even those on top ten television shows work with someone every week before they shoot a new script.

Everyone does it their own way. Usually you put ourself in the shoes of your character as best you can. Imagine how every part of their life is and put yourself there. Depending on how much time you have, there are plenty of books on the subject.

good luck,
Marianne

Answer 2

I think it depends on who you are portraying. I did a movie recently where we played firefighters. So yeah we went to a brief firefighter school and learned the basics of how to work the equipment and techniques of a firefighter. But developing the character I had to do completely on my own.

You can always get advice on how to replicate something or action. For instance you can ask someone how to play guitar and they can teach you a song. But ask someone to explain the soul of the tortured artist and everyone will give you a different interpertation.

This of course varies if you are portraying a "real" person. In this instance you can find out what they were really like, what their ideals and thoughts were or feelings during a particular moment in their life. But also in this case an actor protraying a person being is quite different from portraying a person doing.

Answer 3

i believe jamie foxx lived with ray charles for a few months to prepare for the movie Ray, and i think Jennifer Lopez lived with Selena's family for a little while as well. Some actors have to take dance classes, scuba lessons, voice lessons or whatever else is need to prepare for the role. It all depends.