Hi Actor.
Hope you all has a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to that new year coming up. This post is about one way you can prepare for a role. Grab your script. Read it. Read it again. And again. Take your time through it. Look for clues. Observe and really get an understanding of who your character is. Once you establish a solid idea of the person you're playing, grab a pen & paper and ask yourself the following questions.
Step 1: How would I describe this person? (General observations)
Characteristics
Emotions & Feelings
Morals & Values
Choices
Wins
Failures
Relationships
Habits
Important details of their backstory
Physicality
Step 2: Look for the differences. How is this character not like me? (Observation)
Example:
German (Accent & Background)
Rank of Captain within the Military
From a different time 1914
Physically strong
Follow's orders.
Gives orders
In charge of 100 soldiers
Understands current strategies of war
He has a specific kind of stoicism (from that period)
These differences are what you'll need to prioritise when deciding how to prime & practice because it's the info thats unfamiliar to you.
Step 3: In what ways is this character exactly like me? (Personalisation)
Example:
Loves his family
Gender: Male
Has a great deal of empathy (although he keeps it hidden)
Is Funny
Loves writing
Keeps his cards close to his chest
... And so on.
This is the stuff you're already familiar with so you don't need to spend hours connecting to it. A brief reminder is all that's required throughout your process of practice.
"This is my way into this character because he is me in these ways".
Step 4: Pave and walk the path.
Go ahead and plan your process for the role. Think about the information you now have. Ask yourself "how can I practice in a way that helps me familiarise myself with this aspect of the character?". Make your process a daily habit. Look for the stuff that ignites you. Specifically relating to those particular qualities you've listed above. Put an emphasis on practicing the stuff that you believe is different to you.
If you know your film is a gritty WW1 Drama then having a look at films or books within that category might be of use to you. If you don't have the specific accent required for this individual go and listen to that accent & practice it daily. Study the living conditions of the time. Does the characteristics you've listed as "different" remind you of a performance by one of your favourite actors? What a great source of inspiration! Go an watch that particular performance and look for ideas you can steal.
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By looking at who this person is & asking yourself "How am I different?" & "How am I similar?" you will begin to see a pathway forward for your process (Priming and Practice) for that specific role. Once you see that pathway, it's just a matter of walking it. Each day. One step at a time. From the start, to finish.
When it finally comes to film day, let all of your prep go and don't be bound by the discoveries you made through your process. Be informed by it but not bound. It's a balance.
I'd love to hear from you. What is a defining feature of your process? How do you get from script to performance? What is something you do every time you get a role? Feel free to leave a comment or email me directly. My email is lachlanstuartactor@gmail.com . Talk soon.
Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry nearing a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.
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