This article was co-authored by Dan Klein. Dan Klein is an improvisation expert and coach who teaches at the Stanford University Department of Theater and Performance Studies as well as at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Dan has been teaching improvisation, creativity, and storytelling to students and organizations around the world for over 20 years. Dan received his BA from Stanford University in 1991.
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To many, acting is a difficult and arduous journey of self development. An actor not only has to control voice but also body posture, facial expression and also memorize their lines. However one of the hardest steps in the journey of becoming a skilled actor is developing the ability to convey dramatic emotion. So for those of you finding that sad scene a little difficult or the scene where you are meant to be terrified but everyone else thinks you look constipated, here is a short guide to get you started.
Steps
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1Think of acting much like an artist or an author, in the sense you need to develop the right mentality before you can start. Read the script or study the story and try to understand why each character reacts the way they do and how you would feel in that situation.
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2Visualize any scenes that pose a problem. Why does the character react this way? What is the character thinking? What is the person usually like (posture, tone, register, age, body movements etc.) and try to build up the character. Sometimes it is easy to make the character like you in some way and it can work, however acting should be like wearing a mask. You become someone different and afterwards remove the mask again.[1]Advertisement
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3Practice "being" the character. Find a mirror and recite lines while in character. If possible, practice posture, tone, body movement and register to try to iron out any issues with believability. Try to criticize but make sure you are realistic and not overly critical.[2]
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4When trying to convey an emotion try to make yourself believe that you are the character. Try to build up their fears, their feelings and immerse yourself in the story. It may seem slightly obsessive but most actors use this technique. Al Pacino remarked that during the filming of Scarface, he went into a different world and felt as if Al was gone.
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6Studying is an important part of acting. Study any aspects of your character in greater detail and anything you don't understand in the story. Watch videos and pay attention to the way the person moves, speaks and stands. What register do they have? What tells you they are sad? What facial expressions are they using? What is their tone like? Also remember depending on the sex, age, and background of your character, they may react differently. A gruff, Glaswegian gangster will not start to cry in front of all his friends, will he?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I act more realistically?
Dan KleinDan Klein is an improvisation expert and coach who teaches at the Stanford University Department of Theater and Performance Studies as well as at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Dan has been teaching improvisation, creativity, and storytelling to students and organizations around the world for over 20 years. Dan received his BA from Stanford University in 1991.
Improvisation CoachMake sure you incorporate your body language into your performance so your emotions are more believable. -
QuestionShould an actor always shed tears in an emotional scene?
Community AnswerIt really depends on the character, the scene, and fellow actors. For example, if you were in a scene in which your character's name was Mary, and Mary's husband just died, that might be a nice time to let out the tears. But if you were someone who didn't know Mary's husband well, you could look kind of grim. And sometimes it's best to actually look like your trying to hold back tears. If you think you need tears, but can't muster them, try closing your eyes, putting your hands over your mouth, and thinking of something tragic. Just go with what you think feels right for your character and the scene. -
QuestionOnce I find that memory, how do I hold onto it?Community AnswerLink it to yourself. Find something about the memory you connect to: examine the way you'd feel about it and pinpoint the emotion(s) you must express. Make the story as personal as you can so you can actually feel the same way your character does.
Warnings
- Don't be afraid to ask for help to evaluate your work. Better one person than a bigger audience.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- You will regret the things you didn't try at all much more than the ones you attempt and fail.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/quick-tips-playing-strong-emotions-8205/
- ↑ https://takelessons.com/blog/secret-to-emotional-acting
- ↑ Dan Klein. Improvisation Coach. Expert Interview. 22 March 2019.
- ↑ http://people.ict.usc.edu/~gratch/CSCI534/Readings/ACII-Handbook-GestureSyn.pdf
- http://mentalfloss.com/article/57224/11-tragic-emotions-and-how-properly-act-them-stage-according-1889-guide
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