What You Need to Know to Become an Actor

by Mary Pratt

Aspiring actors need to be aware of factors that go into the making of a successful acting career.

• Break down the scene. When you do so, you would get to analyze the scene part-by-part to get the finer details which may be helpful in performing better.
• Dig deeper into your role to understand the character better. You should be clear on what role your character represents, the protagonist, the antagonist, etc. On learning and fully understanding the character you can develop the character. In addition also understand how the character would interact with the other characters.
• Know more about human psychology, good actors are jugglers of various emotions.
• Rehearse the different techniques of acting like Stanislovsky, Meisner, etc. after learning them.
• Get an insight into the various ways of physical movement. The way actors move on stage would widely vary from the way they do so, on the camera.
• It is pivotal to talk the language that the film industry speaks. Ask around about terms you do not understand and get to know deeper about the subjects. An actor who understands technical terms spoken by the crew is preferred to one who is a novice to the subject.
• While communicating effectively is important, it pays to talk when you need to, and listen when you must. This is more so during rehearsals.
• It is good to have a little fun while at work but it important that you don't goof off on the sets.
• During rehearsals on a set or on stage, know when to talk and when to listen. You may sound obnoxious talking at the wrong time and may affect your personality negatively.
• Make it a point not to talk to crew members who are busy working. It is ok to socialize when they are relatively free. Most crew members would oblige to clear your doubts on the equipment used and their purpose.
• It is important to do as you are told to. While on the sets, stand where you are asked to stand and wait when you are told to.
• As an actor, it is crucial that you show up on time. The production looses huge amounts of money if the team is made to wait for an actor.
• Another important thing is to know your lines. It is expensive to do repeated takes when the actor messes up with the dialogue.
• Know about film making from a business perspective and it would help in the long run. It is very important to learn and keep learning. You can probably learn all your lifetime by reading, attending classes, seminars and listening to tapes.
• Keep acting. Put to practice all the knowledge you harness and act for the passion and not for the pay.