Last week I offered to answer some of your questions regarding the audition process. I got some really great questions- so thank you in advance for your input! Here is the first question in this series answered.
What would theater majors do best to avoid/adjust while working on camera?
In the audition room you can definitely see the difference between an actor who is more comfortable with theater acting and an actor that is more familiar with screen acting.
Here are a few simple adjustments and pointers for theater actors for auditioning on camera.
1) Know when to be big and when to be small.
Theater is bigger in nature than camera work. Good acting is naturalistic and connected to your body, and that manifests differently on stage and on camera. On stage you have to be seen and heard, you are aiming to make the experience as compelling for the audience member in the furthest seat as it is in the front row. On camera every detail is going to be caught by the lens- act for an audience of one.
2) Eye contact is different.
This is a little basic- but I want to cover it anyway. The rules are different on camera to theater. You should never “Spike” the camera (which is look directly into the lens of the camera), unless directed to do so (which is rarely).When delivering lines to another person, you should not look in both of the other actors eyes, just focus on one. If you try to look in both eyes, it will read on camera as though you have shifty eyes.
3) Listen to Meryl Streep.
One of my favorite Meryl Streep quotes- “Do your best work on other peoples takes”.
What does she mean by that? Just because the camera is not on you, does not mean you don’t have to be as focused on the work as you would be on "your take". You should approach off-camera work with a sense of generosity for your other actors, give them something to really work off. Hopefully they will do the same for you.
4) The camera catches everything.
Play things subtly. Reacting and listening is a very important part of on camera work- the camera can “read thoughts”. A lot of work in film and television is reactionary without dialogue. Be aware of your noise levels- Sound booms can pick up fidgeting with props, like cutlery during restaurant scenes, rustling papers etc.
5) Continuity.
Make the editors job easier.Try to remember your movements and what props you use and how you use them. Take after Take you just be trying to do the same thing.
What would theater majors do best to avoid/adjust while working on camera?
In the audition room you can definitely see the difference between an actor who is more comfortable with theater acting and an actor that is more familiar with screen acting.
Here are a few simple adjustments and pointers for theater actors for auditioning on camera.
1) Know when to be big and when to be small.
Theater is bigger in nature than camera work. Good acting is naturalistic and connected to your body, and that manifests differently on stage and on camera. On stage you have to be seen and heard, you are aiming to make the experience as compelling for the audience member in the furthest seat as it is in the front row. On camera every detail is going to be caught by the lens- act for an audience of one.
2) Eye contact is different.
This is a little basic- but I want to cover it anyway. The rules are different on camera to theater. You should never “Spike” the camera (which is look directly into the lens of the camera), unless directed to do so (which is rarely).When delivering lines to another person, you should not look in both of the other actors eyes, just focus on one. If you try to look in both eyes, it will read on camera as though you have shifty eyes.
3) Listen to Meryl Streep.
One of my favorite Meryl Streep quotes- “Do your best work on other peoples takes”.
What does she mean by that? Just because the camera is not on you, does not mean you don’t have to be as focused on the work as you would be on "your take". You should approach off-camera work with a sense of generosity for your other actors, give them something to really work off. Hopefully they will do the same for you.
4) The camera catches everything.
Play things subtly. Reacting and listening is a very important part of on camera work- the camera can “read thoughts”. A lot of work in film and television is reactionary without dialogue. Be aware of your noise levels- Sound booms can pick up fidgeting with props, like cutlery during restaurant scenes, rustling papers etc.
5) Continuity.
Make the editors job easier.Try to remember your movements and what props you use and how you use them. Take after Take you just be trying to do the same thing.
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