Vital Tips You Can’t Live Without As a Beginning Film Actor

Getting started in film acting can be very intimidating if you don’t feel ready and it can feel annoying if you’ve already got similar experience and now you need to start from the bottom up again. But rest easy. Know that whether you’re starting from scratch or starting over, there are some simple yet important tips I can share with you today that will advance you and help you feel like a pro in no time. 

Don’t stop learning. Throw your pride out the window - there’s always something new to learn or to remember. You know that one book you read a long time ago and just recently found yourself looking through again? Did you notice that something caught your eye that you missed the first time or had long since forgotten? It’s the same way with anything you learn and practice. You miss things and forget things. So keep it fresh through constantly learning. 

Practice makes…. Close to perfect. Practice often. Always be working on something. And then know that no matter how much you practice and learn, you’ll still mess up. So keep at it, have patience and enjoy the journey. 

Be the part. Anyone can read a script or say their lines, but performing them in a way that captivates the world into believing it’s real is a whole new level of skill and talent. You can learn it for sure, but to master it, you need to be aware of the need for it first.  r you are portraying.

Understanding the script. Not only must the actor understand the role of the character, but he must also be able to understand the script itself. Talk to the director for deeper insight on what the script is really about and it will be easier for you to get in the right frame of mind when acting out his part of the character. 

Knowing the character and become them. Research the character so you can fully understand their personality and why they feel what they feel and do what they do. You need to fully understand exactly what type of person the character is and what the character believes in as a person. You need to know the likes and dislikes of the character as if they were you.

Prepare your body for the work. Getting enough sleep and setting time aside to fully concentrate on the character is important and will help the role that is being portrayed to work better and to flow smoothly. Eat well. Stay hydrated. Do what you need to do to stay present, alert, high energy and connected to the scene.

Be a team player. Everyone who takes part in a production is important. You need to prioritize respect for everyone’s individual roles and responsibility as well as commit to getting along with others and letting them know you appreciate the role they play in the production as a whole.

Show up respectfully, be on time, be alert and be humble enough to learn, practice and handle critique and you’ll go far. Contact us at the New York Acting School for Film and Television for further information or to find out more about our coaching and classes.