How to Practice Acting (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

A good actor has to work hard in every role to look natural. Professionals read scripts, practice monologues and improvise in acting classes. It takes a lot of work and commitment to produce a performance that appears natural and spontaneous. Here are some basic steps to becoming a true dramatic actor.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Practice on your own

Step 1. Record yourself while reading the monologues and shorter scenes

You can buy a book of monologues or search for lyrics online, so you have different roles to play. Choose one and repeat it 2 or 3 times, then film yourself acting. When you watch the video, take note of the parts you should perfect and the ones that seem successful, then write down your ideas on how to improve. Then try the part again, continuing to film yourself until you are satisfied with the result.

• Choose monologues of various kinds, not just the ones you feel most comfortable with. The point is to exercise, so test yourself.

• It is worth experimenting instead of just aiming for perfection. Sometimes a different approach can really make your monologue stand out. What happens if:

  • Do you slow down the pace of your jokes?
  • Do you emphasize different words?
  • Do you take long breaks?
  • Do you act differently: sarcastic, uncertain, bossy, arrogant and so on?

  

  Step 2. Study an actor you admire

  Watch and review your favorite scenes. How are the movements of the actor? What words does he emphasize in each line? What does he do when he's not talking? You don't just have to look at the great actors, but study them to learn how they got so good.

  • Would you recite the same lines differently? If so, how?
  • Search YouTube for different actors who have played the same part; this occurs frequently, for example, in the representations of Shakespeare's plays. How did each actor make the role unique and memorable with the same line?
  • Remember that the actors you admire don't necessarily have to be the same gender, age or ethnicity as you.

  

  Step 3. Focus on diction and speech

  Actors need to be clear and confident when reading. Again, recording can be useful as you can listen to your voice and understand which parts are less clear. Make an effort to speak clearly, trying different tones of voice and speed, so that each word is said with force and conviction.

  • Read a monologue or article aloud, but without acting. Focus on speaking clear, well-articulated words and phrases at a steady pace. Talk as if you are teaching a lesson.
  • As you read, stand up straight, with your shoulders back and your chin raised, so as not to obstruct your breathing flow.

  

  Step 4. Practice reciting a line by expressing different emotions

  To act well you need to be able to show the full range of human emotions, so practice with a little emotional stretching game. Choose an easy but versatile phrase, like "I love you" or "I forgot everything", and try to recite it in as many ways as possible: happy, loving, angry, hurt, hopeful, shy, etc. You can practice in front of the mirror or, alternatively, film yourself in order to review your facial expressions and listen to your tone of voice again.

  • Make a list of emotions to train. Which ones do you need to exercise more than the others?
  • Increase the difficulty and try to naturally switch from one emotion to another. What happens when, for example, a happy person unexpectedly receives devastating news?
  • For a lesson on how to express a wide range of emotions using only facial expressions, check out Patton Oswald in this short film with David Byrne.

  

  Step 5. Practice "cold reading"

  A cold reading is all about playing a part without being able to practice first - it's very common in auditions. While it can be intimidating, it's a great way to improve your skills and become familiar with improvisation, which in turn will make you a more confident actor.

  • Read the part, quickly repeat it in your mind, then make eye contact with the audience and play it.
  • Make good use of dramatic breaks. It is usually preferable to speak slowly rather than quickly.
  • Choose a newspaper or magazine, or a short story, and read the text as if it were a speech.
  • Look for short scenes and monologues online and recite them without preparing.
  • Register and watch the video to evaluate your performance.
  • This can be a great warm-up exercise to help prepare your mind and body for acting.

  

  Step 6. Expose yourself to a variety of characters, roles and people

  The best actors are chameleons: they disappear and blend with each role. To do this, however, you need to have a good background. You should watch plays and movies, but also reading and writing will expose you to different points of view and voices that can improve your skills. This is very important when focusing on a specific role. Try to go a little deeper and do some research to be able to better impersonate your character.

  • Read and rehearse the script at least once a day. When you're done, watch the movie and notice how the actors played the part.
  • Study famous characters and monologues. How do they change and evolve? What makes them so great? Highlight, write down, and look for words you don't understand so that you understand the text better.

  Part 2 of 3: Learning with other People

  

  Step 1. Practice acting short scenes with friends

  You can write the part yourself or choose it from a book. You can also search for scripts online and act out your favorite movies and TV series. The best way to practice acting is to try, so find a friend and work together to improve your skills.

  • On YouTube there are several videos with short funny scenes. Consider starting a web series with your friend.
  • If possible, record your practice sessions or ask a friend to watch you and comment on your performance so we can improve.

  

  Step 2. Sign up for acting classes

  If you want to be an actor you have to study. Pay attention not only to the teacher but also to the other students. You can learn something from everyone, even if you don't share their way of acting. Think about how you would play each role and learn from your colleagues' strengths and weaknesses.

  One day you may find yourself acting alongside your classmates and you can't know when someone will have their big break. Be kind and supportive of everyone - they will form your community of actors as you grow

  

  Step 3. Go to improvisation class to improve your reactions

  Improvising is a fundamental skill, even if you don't intend to participate in improvised comedies. This is because improvisation forces you to react to every situation without leaving the character. Acting isn't just about repeating lines, but staying in character regardless of what's going on on stage or during filming.

  If you don't want to pay for improvisation lessons, you can play online improvisation games with your actor friends. You can exercise at home

  

  Step 4. Get out of your comfort zone by trying out different types of acting

  Don't lock yourself into a role or a genre. Not only will it make your job search more difficult, but it will limit your skills and growth as an actor. Any experience that puts you in front of an audience, whether it's a film, commercial, play or stand-up comedy, can help you improve your acting skills.

  • Paul Rudd started out as a DJ at weddings before he became an actor and used those experiences to learn how to connect with audiences.
  • Stand-up comedy consists of comedy shows where there is only one person on stage; you have to write and play the part yourself. This is an excellent opportunity to train.
  • Even if you want to become a movie actor, try acting in the theater. The time and constancy that must be devoted to a single role are invaluable to any actor.

  

  Step 5. Take part in any job you can find in the cinema or theater

  Even if you're not acting, start building relationships with people who can help you land a part. Connect with directors, producers and other actors, even if you start out as a personal assistant. An old but true cliché is "people hire people". It won't be with your resume or an impersonal email that you will get a great role. You have to be part of the acting world, meet people and roll up your sleeves.

  Part 3 of 3: Perfecting a Specific Role

  

  Step 1. Read the script several times

  To make the most of it, you need to understand the whole story, not just your side. Remember that your job is not just to stand out, but to be an integral part of the work. To do this, in addition to your role, you need to understand the themes and dynamics of the story as a whole.

  • Once you understand the whole story, go back to your part and read it 1 or 2 more times. Now focus on your character's role and lines.
  • If you had to summarize the film in 1-2 sentences, what would you say? What about your role?

  

  Step 2. Complete your character with the story about his past

  To get into character, you need to know who he is. You don't have to write a bio, but you can think about his life story. Sometimes you can discuss it with the director, other times you just have to follow your instincts. It is not necessary to go too deep; rather try to answer some simple questions, such as:

  • Who I am?
  • Where do I come from? Where do I want to go?
  • Why am I here?

  

  Step 3. Determine your character's motivation

  All the characters, in almost all the stories, want something. Desire is what keeps that character's story going. It can be one thing, or it can be many conflicting desires. This desire guides your character throughout the story and is perhaps the most important aspect of your role.

  • The character's desire can change and you need to know when this happens in the script.
  • As an exercise, try to figure out what your favorite characters' wishes are. In The Oilman, for example, Daniel Plainview is determined to have oil. Every action, look and emotion arises from this infinite and passionate greed.

  

  Step 4. Practice with your lines until you have memorized them

  You have to know them so well that you don't have to force yourself to remember them but just think about how to say them. Ask a friend to play the other character so you can practice your part. You can alternate like in a real conversation.

  • Experiment with your jokes. Try to recite them in various ways; how do they affect the scene?
  • Memorize your lines before reciting them. If you have a hard time remembering the words, your acting won't feel natural.

  

  Step 5. Talk to the director about his vision of the character

  Remember that you are there to bring the story to life, not for yourself. Talk to the director to see if he wants to attribute particular characteristics, emotions, or ideas to the character. That said, you too can propose your ideas; let the director know how you see the character, but be willing to accept his perspective as well.

  If you have to audition, choose an orientation for your character and keep it. You won't have time to ask for advice and change the character during the audition, so follow your gut

  

  Step 6. Adapt your personality and experiences to the role

  The emotions of the human being are universal. You may have never witnessed an alien invasion, but surely you were afraid. You were brave and stepped forward in time of need. If you're not sure how to play a certain role, find the emotions and experiences that best suit your character. The best actors show a different side of themselves: they are recognizable and human, even if the character has nothing to do with the actor's character.

  Start by understanding the main emotions of the scene: happiness, remorse, sadness, etc. Then build the character from them

  Advice

  • Don't show your true emotions. Free your mind and focus on the character.
  • Use a notebook for notes when practicing. It will help you understand what you did wrong and you can write down the director's suggestions and ideas or what you need to improve.
  • Be confident when you act.
  • If you are nervous in front of an audience, imagine you are acting in front of your family.
  • To really get into the role, imagine that you are really that character, not yourself.