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Like in all walks and works of life not everyone will agree on the same course of action when it comes to preparing or honing one's acting skills - the do's and don'ts or what is most important.
The more one acts, be it adults or children, acting experience is good training in itself. But there is a lot that can be done to help avoid the pitfalls and disasters.
No matter what genre one is preparing for, proper preparation is required. If one is involved in acting, singing, stunts or voiceover acting in the formats of stage, television, film or radio, for commercials, movies, soap operas, musicals, theater....
being prepared is the key. Everyone has their own idea as to what should be done in preparing for such gigs or parts.
In addition to having a great headshot, the learning, studying, memorizing, internalizing...are all needed as well, and are terms used in honing one's skills, be it in singing, speaking, stunts, and in this case, in acting (which can sometimes require all of the above).
Studying with a professional coach or at an acting school, taking workshops, reading good books on acting, hands on experience and eventually being on sets are ways to learn. But there must be one point at which all of us begin that is the same, after one gets a gig that is.
No matter what niche an actor might fit into (not that he has to), arriving on time is mandatory, be it for a casting or for the gig itself. Hurrying to be on time can cause distress for self and everyone else. In order to have a successful reading or scene shot, the result of rushing to do it will most likely reflect in one's and others' work.
Get there in plenty of time and then begin on pre-acting skills - it should be like breathing - one should not even have to think about it. Actually breathing itself is a good technique to learn. Singers do it all the time.
In addition to breathing, be aware of the physical self, grooming, script in mind as "real life" vs just words or lines, and also be aware of the time, location and readiness-stage that you need to be in.
True, each gig and on set experience (with Michael Caine) can be different - from the safe, warm environment of a sound stage, to the outside, extreme weather conditions, on the side of a mountain!! No matter the location, the preparing is still the same, just maybe more of a challenge. If one has been in preparation all along then the challenge will be lessened.
Another part of that preparation is knowing the script or sides. Not just knowing your lines and blocking, but be familiar with all of them. Be a good listener, too, and give the impression that what your character is hearing is of that moment. Treat the lines like a real life conversation. (blocking = movements required on set)
Above all, before you even get a gig, be thick skinned. Most actors get turned down more often then getting a part. It happens to the best of them. Tune in to "well known" actors and hear what has happened to them after a casting, not only in their beginning days but even after years of experience getting turned down still happens.
Be able to role with the punches. Just knowing rejection happens and that you can move on should be helpful in itself!
Resources have come from multiple workshops, books and online guides absorbed over the years. Experience being the main resource. ~ Also helpful are written and video tips from: Steve Carell, Meryl Streep, Daniel Baldwin (tie to brother Alec), Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Star Trek Deep Space Nine Quark's Armin Schimermar, Michael Caine and Disney. ~ More on Star Trek: Capt. Picard lookalike, Patrick Stewart, Star Trek acting, Star Trek XI
Comments
Always good to hear acting tips. Not everything works for everyone, but most, if not all of these do. I like the actors chatting about their experiences as well.
Funny man.
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