Acting

 Acting 

Acting is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character—in theatre, television, film, radio, or any other medium that makes use of the mimetic mode.

There are mny different types of acting: soaps, theatre, Disney, TV and acting for film.  For most people who are not in the industry, understanding these different types of acting can get confusing.  Add to that learning how to act for a one camera shoot vs. a three camera shoot and the beginner actor begins to feel very overwhelmed.

When an actor is about to go on a film audition or shoot a film, there biggest challenge is usually preparing emotionally for the role.  If this is your first time in front of the camera, it is very stressful which totally works against giving your best performance.  Besides learning breathing techniques which can aid your nerves, there are ways to make sure that your performance is memorable.

There are so many methods; where does a person begin?  Over the years, two methods have been heralded as the best when acting for film.  They are the Sanford Meisner Technique and Method Acting.  Although they can be similar, they also can be quite different.  For the experienced film actor, they soon find themselves emulating one or the other.  Academy Award winning actors have been disciples of both schools so it is totally up to the actor as to which works best for him/her.

Acting involves a broad range of skills, including a well-developed imagination, emotional facility, physical expressivity, vocal projection, clarity of speech, and the ability to interpret drama. Acting also demands an ability to employ dialects, accents, improvisation, observation and emulation, mime, and stage combat. Many actors train at length in specialist programs or colleges to develop these skills. The vast majority of professional actors have undergone extensive training. Actors and actresses will often have many instructors and teachers for a full range of training involving singing, scene-work, audition techniques, and acting for camera.

Television acting

"On a television set, there are typically several cameras angled at the set. Actors who are new to on-screen acting can get confused about which camera to look into."^[33] TV actors need to learn to use lav mics (Lavaliere microphones).^[33] TV actors need to understand the concept of "frame". "The term frame refers to the area that the camera's lens is capturing."^[33] Within the acting industry, there are four types of television roles one could land on a show. Each type varies in prominence, frequency of appearance, and pay. The first is known as a series regular—the main actors on the show as part of the permanent cast. Actors in recurring roles are under contract to appear in multiple episodes of a series. A co-star role is a small speaking role that usually only appears in one episode. A guest star is a larger role than a co-star role, and the character is often the central focus of the episode or integral to the plot.

Talent of Acting

As for natural talent, it certainly helps to be born with the ability to perform. But acting is also something that can be learned and mastered through lots of practice. Like any skill, it can be taught. With passion and perseverance, you can be a great actor…even if it doesn't come naturally.

Natural Acting

yourself… without trying to add something unnecessary (i.e. theatrical) in order to present, and thus indicate that you are 'acting'.