Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Determine your character and motivation
• Method 2 of 4: Movement and voice
• Method 3 of 4: While acting
• Method 4 of 4: Working with others
• Tips

Do you have to participate in a drama project at school? Or do you want to become a movie star? Then you need to know the basics of acting. Out of the way, Carice van Houten! Read below how you learn to master all aspects of the profession.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Determine your character and motivation

1. Come up with a background for your character. Many actors tip that your character is driven by a secret that only you know. This is a widely used technique and well worth a try. In addition to that secret, it is important to know your character inside and out. Make it a real person, not just a name on a page.
   • What does he do in his spare time? How does he react to certain circumstances? Who are his friends? What makes him happy? What does his inner voice say? How does he view the world? What is his favorite color? His favorite food? Where does he live?
   • If your character is based on an existing person, do your research. Or, if the person does not exist, according to the age and place he came from, and the historical events that took place there.
2. Ask yourself: Why? Everything falls into place when you know your character's motives. Make a total analysis, but ask yourself what his motivation is for each scene. Is there a red thread running through the whole piece? With every interaction?
   • Normally something like this is in the script. And otherwise the director will make it clear to you. Grab the first scene, analyze what your motives are. You should be left with 2 things: something as simple as acceptance or reassurance, followed by getting my friend / lover / foe to do a, b and c. Let it go when you find them.
3. Study your text. In order to act and to be able to focus on your character, you have to know your text well. If you are nervous, you will forget your text more quickly and you will struggle with it more. To prevent yourself from being tongue-tied on stage, you have to be able to dream your text.
   • Read your text daily. If he's into it, try to recite the text for yourself and see how far you can get without having to look at your script.
   • Practice your text with a friend or family member, who will then read the other scrolls. This way you know when your text will come and in what context.
     • That way you can help someone else if someone makes a mistake!
   • Practice your text the way you want to recite it. Try different ways to learn what works and feels authentic.
4. Make notes in your script. You may think it will take a long time to erase them later, but they help you a lot. Develop your own annotation system that only you understand.
   • Write pauses, or rhythm. Put lines between words or sentences. These stripes remind you to slow down a bit. Pauses are just as important as words. Remember this for efficient presentation.
   • Write down feelings. You can feel up to four different emotions per paragraph. You may start up angry, explode, and try to get yourself back in control. Write emotions above the sentences to help your presentation.
   • Write down responses. Yes, reactions to the text of others. Eventually you will be on a stage and people will also look at you if you have no text. How do you feel about what you hear? What do you think about the things you see as a spectator? Write it down if you know.
   • Write down differences in voice volume. Some sentences may need to be pronounced louder than others, or words may need emphasis. Think of your script as a piece of music with crescendos, decrescendos and accents.

Method 2 of 4: Movement and voice

1. Relax. Take a deep breath. This often helps to relax your body in seconds. Then relax all your muscles. "Box breathing" is also a good method. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds again. This calms you down.
2. Be aware of your body. Complete techniques and courses are devoted to movement for performers, and for good reason. They help you space to make the best possible use and to have the stage under control. Acting is not only in your voice or face, but in your whole body and the space that there is.
   • Feel free to give your character "traits". Is he limping from the war? Is he constantly playing with his hair? Does he have a tic? Does he bite nails? It doesn't have to be in the script! Think about how your character would do in everyday life. How are they in a waiting room? Then what would they do?
3. Project. Speak louder than your normal voice so that everyone can hear you. Nothing is more annoying than sitting in the audience and only understanding every third word.
   • Don't talk silly - make sure you carry your voice and don't mumble or talk to the other actors in your normal speech voice.
   • When you are on stage, the people at the back of the room must be able to hear you. Stand up straight, direct your voice and face your audience slightly. You don't want to talk to the back wall.
   • Don't speak too quickly. This clouds your words and makes you difficult to understand.
4. Articulate. Speak your words clearly on stage or in front of the camera and make sure all sounds are well defined. In particular, the end of words are easily swallowed and lose acoustics.
   • Make sure consonants are intelligible. This way you will speak slowly enough to be clearly understood.
   • Don't over-articulate, that sounds unnatural. You want your voice to sound clear, but not like you're overacting. If you are unsure of your articulation, ask the director or your co-actors for advice.
5. Speak like your character. Even if he has no accent, there may be specific things that are not in the script. Consider age, race, social status, religion and income.
   • Make sure your accent matches the origin of your character. For example, a Groninger with a soft G is not possible.

Method 3 of 4: While acting

1. Feel in. That sounds logical, but for a lot of actors it is unfortunately not. If you convey emotions to your audience, in a room or in front of a screen. Use your own emotions to mold your character's - you are now one.
   • Find an emotion in yourself that matches your character. Did her mother just die? Fortunately your mother is still alive, but remember how it felt when your cat or bunny died and how bad it was! Cried for days. Use that. The audience won't know how you get on it, but let them know that you're broken and that it probably has something to do with the storyline.
   • Manipulate the tone of your voice. When your character is sad, your voice will sound rougher and less controlled. Are you happy or nervous: talk higher!
   • Use gestures and body language to convey emotions. Do not stand with your hands at your sides. If your character is angry: raise your hands and stamp your feet. Is your character sad? Let your shoulders and head hang. Think about it logically.
2. Go with the flow. Never, never, never, never show that you made a mistake. Never and never and never. So, clear enough? Don't let the public notice because guess what: they will never know.
   • Keep your face straight when you dance or move. Self-confidence is fooling everyone. Keep smiling because you're the only one who knows what's going on.
   • Make a mess of your text: just keep going. The only people who know the script are on stage. Get back on your path. If the other actors are just as professional, there is no problem.
3. Dive into the moment. From the moment you step on the stage you know no heartbreak, money worries or fatigue. You are alone in the moment unfolding before your eyes.
   • Being on tour should be an outlet for things you are struggling with or struggling with. Theater should have a relaxing effect, not contribute to the existing stress. Take this moment to become someone else and leave the problems and ego at the door. If you really want, they will still be there in a few hours. Stop your thoughts and start to listen actively, be present. The public will notice if you are not there.
4. Never get out of your character. Whatever you forget, remember who your character is and don't slip back into being yourself. Theater people often play jokes, but stay in your role even if the theater director is walking naked through the wings.
   • Always respond as your character would, even if things don't go as expected. Gun didn't fire? Luckily you still have a dagger in your boot! Soundman is sleeping again ... firing !!!
5. Have a positive attitude. Sometimes your mood can change because of fear of mistakes or people's reactions. If you are having a good time, the audience will see it and have a good time too.
   • Take criticism with a grain of salt. Do not take directional directions as personal criticism. See them as an opportunity to improve your acting.
   • Your acting gets better and more natural when you have fun instead of stress. Think positively and relax, then you are faster in your role.
6. Release your neuroses. Do relaxation exercises, get into your role, and don't worry about what others think of you. You are doing this for fun!
   • Look in the mirror and say, "I am no longer myself. I am…. "You are no longer yourself so you don't have to worry about what people think of you. When you act on stage, people don't see you, but the part you play.
7. Know when it is your turn. Know when to go. If you miss your cue you have at least five people on your neck. And the voices in your head. Wait in the wings when it's almost your turn. Get into the role and bring your props.
   • Go to the toilet before the play starts. You really don't want to miss your cue because you had to pee or have something to eat quickly.
   • Listen carefully when your cue comes. Even if you know when to start, listen carefully while your scene is on.Do not let yourself be distracted.
   • Emergencies do exist, but unless someone is dead or something explodes, you will be on time for your cue.
8. Be aware of your position and environment. When you are on stage or in front of the camera, you have to know where you position yourself in the room. To go short: Find the light. Stay in it. It is there to make you shine.
   • When speaking, address the audience somewhat. At the same time, you want the audience to hear you and have a credible conversation. If your director says you are "closed" you have to turn a quarter of a circle outward.
   • Never look directly into the camera with film, unless the director tells you to. Instead, talk to your fellow actors and play with your surroundings just like your characters would.

Method 4 of 4: Working with others

1. Listen to the director. The director knows the entire production, so he probably knows what he's talking about. Take his or her criticism seriously. If you understand why he or she wants you to do something, do it.
   • Follow directions and integrate them while rehearsing. If you don't understand something, ask! You don't want to walk on stage not knowing why. The director also wants you to understand your character.
   • Ask questions if you don't know how to play something. If you are unsure how to convey a particular phrase: ask. If all goes well he knows what he wants to see.
2. Don't be a diva. The production is a team effort, acting is not all about you. Where would you be without other actors, props, technique and costume? Right, naked and alone on a dimly lit stage.
   • Even if you play the lead role: you do not have the heaviest role. Relax and come out of your ivory tower. Just try sending an entire crew and controlling light and sound at the same time. What happens if you piss off the sound guy? Correct: no gunshot. Haha. Be nice - they can make and break you. Or as Americans say: "There is no i in team."
3. Act and Reply. Even if you know your own text through and through, if you don't listen to the other person, you hang. Perhaps the opponent has a completely different angle. Perhaps this makes the scene more subdued than intense and angry - move with the scene. So: act, but also respond.
   • Practice your text with your opponents. You need them to play the scene properly. Experiment! That's the nice thing about acting.
4. Use the audience. Technically you shouldn't normally break through the proverbial "fourth wall", but they are there! You have to work with the public. Use the energy that the audience gives.
   • Take the laugh or the applause. Grab a few seconds. Let the excitement fade before continuing. Feel the room and where you need to go with the scene. This may seem abstract but as you get more experience it makes more sense.
5. Show camaraderie. Build a relationship with your colleagues and show your appreciation for them. They work just as hard as you!
   • Wish your colleagues success (not literally, that will bring bad luck!) And compliment them. Say "toi-toi-toi" beforehand and "You were fantastic!"
   • Thank the crew for the hard work. For example, tell the makeup artist that she made you look like your character perfectly.

Tips

• Study actors you admire. Watch excerpts and listen to their tips. Write down inspiring tips and try to use them in your own game.
• Continue to breathe normally on stage and in front of the camera: it helps to relax and convey your sentences more clearly.
• Warm up before projecting. Warm your throat and shake your body to release tension.
• Look at people to develop your character. Take mannerisms and habits and use them for your character.
• Go back into your own life to elicit an emotional response from your character. For example, if your character is sad, think of a deceased pet or family member.
• If you have stage fright, you can practice with your family members.
• Ask others to rate your acting. Some directors give private lessons to help you get better.