Categories
Character Development

Writer character bio versus actor character bio

QUESTION: I am not an actor. Studying how actors prepare their craft, I am left with a question regarding character development. As a writer, I have concrete ideas as to any given characters background/bio, what motivates them, their fears, wants, desires, etc. I also have very concrete ideas as to why the character is even […]

Categories
Character Development

Woman playing male role

by Katie (Ohio) QUESTION: I am a woman playing a male role. I need to know how to stand and talk like a man. I also need to know how men think, how they act, and what they are like in general and how they carry themselves. ANSWER: That sounds like a fun challenge. Not […]

Categories
Character Development

What Type of Actress Am I

by Geraldine (Pittsburgh, PA) QUESTION: What type am I if I am in my 40s and very young looking (early 20s) and get carded,5′ and 100 lbsmixed Asian, dark hair, dark greenish eyesolive complexionhourglass figure,feminine voice. What type am I, what roles should I target? And how good are my chances of making it? Thank […]

Categories
Character Development

Playing a Character Not Like You

by claudia (england) QUESTION: It’s not real, it’s just acting. How can you pretend to be someone else? Your character might not suit your personality at all. What do you do? ANSWER: Exactly, it’s just acting, so your character doesn’t have to fit your personality. Actually, if they did, acting would be kind of boring. […]

Categories
Character Development

How do i act like a male “Hunter” when I am a girl?

QUESTION: I am doing a small play in which i play a hunter, and i was wondering how to actually do a man-voice,(i have a high pitch girly-voice) and how to get into character before actually dressing up! Any suggestions or details of the above tips to help me? Thanks! ANSWER: First, ask the director […]

Categories
Character Development

Acting tips to play Bad Guys

by Justin Magoffin (New Hampshire) QUESTION: I’m making a Resident Evil movie and I’m playing the bad guy Albert Wesker. Do you have any tips of how I can excel at being this bad ass villain? ANSWER: One useful acting tip when you’re playing “bad guys” is not to act as if you were evil. […]

Categories
Character Development

Acting Tips to Find the Character’s Energy

by Joey (Las Vegas) Joey QUESTION: Hi acting school stop, I’m Joey, 33 years old male and I’ve been studying for awhile mostly at home now though thru books because of finances (Stanislavski, Checkov & film acting), and I was really wondering if you could help me out and maybe some advice with this two […]

Categories
Character Development

How can I act the part of a not-so-smart cop?

by Cherry QUESTION: I’m in a play, and I have the part of a cop. I’m supposed to be funny and not very smart, but I’m having trouble with this. Any tips? ANSWER: Playing dumber is always harder, because it’s easy to fall into caricatures and indicating funny moments. One thing that may help is […]

Categories
Character Development

How can a teenager act like a small child?

by Teresa (Wheeling, WV) QUESTION: How can I demonstrate to my high school acting class how to walk, talk, and gesture like a small child? ANSWER: By observing. Watch small children play, talk and walk and take in every detail. Ask yourself tons of questions: – Where is their center of gravity? – How do […]

Categories
Character Development

Getting out of character

by Gail Baber (Hawaii Island, Hawaii) QUESTION: Aloha,My daughter is enjoying drama and we have been looking for guidance on how to help her get out of character since she finds it easy to get into characters. What are some successful methods others have used. ANSWER: You can try a simple relaxation exercise. Have her […]