Playing the Love in Acting - Kids Act LA
Owning your character in acting can be similar to the interest you have getting to know a new friend. They require a different and specifically unique investment. Think of the people you know and love. When you love someone, you've invested time with them… you have gotten to know them. You understand the things that are similar and the things that are different from you. But no matter the differences, you always know there is a love in the relationship that is real.
When you care about and invest in a character, you "play the love" of knowing them. They have to be a real, three-dimensional person, just like you or your friends, whom you can love. You also want to play the parts that are different than you because you have taken the time to really understand the character.
Actors need to dig deep and discover intimate details about a character; who they are, where they come from, who they have loved, be it parents, lovers, or a favourite pet? Take clues given about your character on the page, from what the screenwriter wrote, and build on that information. Add layers until you feel this is a living, breathing person with deep-felt feelings. Now, no matter what offense they may have committed, you, the actor, must find and "play the love" for that character.
Judgement Blocks Playing The Love
When you feel judged or disapproved of by a friend, the friendship often suffers. You might not feel like they understand you. You might not want to spend a lot of time with them, and most likely, they won't wish to spend time with you either.
It's the same with a character--when we judge them, we shut down our willingness to empathize with them. It's so important to understand why a character behaves the way they do without judging them. It's so important to understand the character you will be playing--they must make sense to you--their behaviour must add up and it is your job to discover how it does.
You want to look at your character with fresh eyes, free from judgment and discover what makes them tick. Maybe the fact that you have been judging them actually blocks your ability to play the love, leaving a performance that is not well received by the audience. Try watching a movie (on the big screen) and note when you feel the actor is playing the love of the character. What do they do or say that lets you know they love themselves?
Kids Act LA is a leading institution in acting, as well as in personal growth. Kids Act LA Acting Classes specialize in children. We allow for our graduate to secure a successful career in TV, commercials, print and film. Our children grow at a social and communicative level. Our kids acting classes have empowered children for thirteen years.
Call us 949 273 8804 for a free presentation, a free evaluation and you will be able to schedule your child for an exercise in personal growth, at absolutely no cost.
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