https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu en-us 2019-05-13 18:56:48 UTC 2024-07-05 10:50:02 UTC hello@padlet.com https://imgglb.padletcdn.com/v13/image?t=g_auto&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet.net%2Ficons%2Fpng%2F1f3a5.png nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633223 There are many differences between acting on stage to that of acting on camera for a television series or film. This section will talk about some of the key differences between the two styles of acting within the industry.

One of the first major differences between acting on stage and acting on camera is the way in which you deliver your lines. On stage acting requires the actor to more or less over exaggerate every word they say, including the volume in which the line is spoken, every facial expression and every gesture. This is because when you are performing on stage, the audience is often quite far away, especially the people on the back row, therefore, theatre performers must perform to the back row, that way everyone can enjoy the performance. Green (2013) agrees with this by stating "Since the audience must see and hear a performance to enjoy it, stage performers must act to the back row". (Green 2013). This changes if you are acting on camera, as cameras are able to get really close to you, in which they are able to pick up every little expression that you make as an actor, as well as having microphones all around you, making it really easy to pick up on what you are saying. The possibility of everything from image to sound being able to be edited supports this theory, as supported by Hishon (2016), by explaining that during post-production actors will often re-record any lines that need fixing as well as having editors edit the audio that they already have.

Another difference between acting on stage rather than on camera, and arguably one of the most significant differences is how long the actor has to perfect their role. This is because on stage, you only have all of the rehearsal time running up to the show to learn your role perfectly, as if something was to go wrong during the show, the show must go on, as it would ruin the show if you was to try and go back to re-do a scene, or if you was not able to carry on the show after a mistake, as supported by Shadia (2018) by stating "There are no second chances during a live performance". (Shadia 2018). Acting on camera is drastically different, as the actor can have as many takes as required in order to get a scene correct, as supported by Shadia (2018), "If they mess up their lines they can film the scene again. They have far less pressure to get it right compared to stage actors". (Shadia 2018).

Another major difference between the two styles of acting, which also links most of the differences together is the naturalism of both types of acting. When acting on stage, more than likely what you are doing is being exaggerated, more than being natural. This is simply because as stated previously, you have to perform to the back row in order for all of the audience to have a good experience, and if you was to speak in a natural tone, and perform more natural gestures and facial expressions, then the audience members at the back are not going to have any idea what is going on, whereas if it is exaggerated, they are able to see much easier. Whereas in TV and film, with how close all of the cameras are able to get, and how many microphones there are paired with the ability to edit everything later, you must act more natural, or in more general terms, act how your character naturally would do. This also brings the term 'perform to your cast members', meaning rather than on stage having to perform to the audience at the back, you instead perform to your fellow actors. This is all supported by Kain (2014), through stating how in theatre you have to play to the audience, whereas in TV and film because the camera and microphone are closer, your voice does not have to be projected as much, and your gestures can be toned down to that of theatre. (Kain 2014). ]]> 2019-05-13 18:58:38 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633223 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633499 A table read is essentially a rehearsal and is usually done when the actors first receive their scripts, however rather than actually getting up and rehearsing as you would in a theatre, the actors will sit around a table and just read through the scripts, in which they will think about what their characters are doing and their motives for doing it. Essentially, a table read is used in order to familiarize the actors with what is happening, which in turn enables them to think about their characterization throughout each scene, aswell as allowing the writers to see how well what they have written actually plays out, as it turns out during a table reading the writers may realize something doesn't work as they thought it would do. This is supported by Liroff (2014), in which she states "Sometimes the writers and the creative team need the screenplay read so that they can hear how it plays". (Liroff 2014).]]> 2019-05-13 18:59:16 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633499 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633587 The audition process for TV and Film is quite similar to that of auditioning for a theatre production. The main difference is that with theatre, you are likely auditioning for a role that has already been played by a number of actors before you, so the directors will usually already know off what they are looking for, as well as how the script should be. Whereas in TV and film, the role you are auditioning for in most cases will never have been played before. This means that the director will be looking for an actor who can accurately sell the role that has been written. Also with an on screen audition, actors who can improvise can have an advantage, as scripts for TV and Film are usually being changed right up to when production begins, meaning that if you get a part of the script wrong, or improvise a little bit to showcase your skills while portraying the character could increase your chances at landing a role, as supported by Green (2013), by saying "Therefore, at a TV/film audition, an actor can make mistakes or small changes without consequence" (Green 2013).

The audition process for the three scrips that I was offered a role in felt very similar to that of an audition for an on stage production. However, rather than being up on your feet performing the character during the audition as you would in theatre, the auditions for these scripts had the actors sit down and just read through the scripts, while the directors take note of the way you pronounce the lines, and most importantly they look at your facial features to see what you are doing with your eyes, mouth and other features to see if you have the required skill to sell the character, and not just the lines. However, the script 'Dangerous Affection' was a little different than the other two scripts in terms of the outcome of the audition. Within this script I auditioned as the role of James, who is the supporting lead role within the script, and at first, I was unsuccessful in acquiring this role, as the directors felt that they had actors who better suited the part. However, throughout the process, their actors either dropped out or were not invested enough within the script. This meant that a week before filming for this script began, the director contacted me asking if I still wanted the part, in which case I took the role.]]> 2019-05-13 18:59:27 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633587 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633656 In total there were five different scripts that were available to audition for, of which I managed to secure a role within three of them. This section will briefly talk about my first impressions of the scripts.

The first script that was auditioned for was called 'What's in a Name'. This script was a small comedy and my first impressions of the script was that there was not really anything special within it. The script is just a back and forth conversation between the two characters John and Jane, however the comedic elements within the script are what made the script work, in terms of it being a conversation where Jane thinks John is talking about a potential lover, however the punchline at the end reveals that he is talking about a dog. 

The next script is called 'Dangerous Affection'. On first impressions this script immediately caught my attention due to how much grittier it was compared to the majority of the other scripts. This is because the setting of the script is a group of friends getting ready to go clubbing for the night, however later on during the night, the main protagonist Chris passes out drunk in an alleyway, in which on of her friends James rapes her without her knowing that it is him. I thought this script captured sexual assault really well, especially the aftermath, as can be seen in the script the following morning as Chris is too scared to go into university and carry on with her day to day life as if nothing has happened. 

The final script is called 'Prove It'. This script is about a young student called Sophie who thinks she has invented time travel, and upon pitching her idea to her science professor is immediately shot down and begins to be bullied by her peers. My first impression of this script was that it was well written. Each character appeared to have a certain level of chemistry with the other characters in terms of they all interacted with each other in some way, whereas in the other scrips this was not apparent all of the time. ]]> 2019-05-13 18:59:39 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633656 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633747 Initially, the thought of acting in front of a camera and a crew was quite unnerving. This is because as the actor, I have very limited experience acting on camera rather than on stage. That being said, all of the crews working on each of the script were incredibly supportive and made the entire experience a lot easier, and ended up being a lot more laid back than I had initially thought.

While on set for 'What's in a Name', it was clear that everything had been organized, and was definitely the most organized of the three different sets I was on throughout the process. The directors knew what they were looking for and knew exactly how many different shots that they needed to take for each scene. Overall the organization level for this script was very professional and made the process of filming this script a lot easier than expected with it being the first of the three scrips that were filmed too.

While filming 'Prove It' and even during the weeks running up to filming, it was clear how unorganized the director was, as film dates were constantly changing, and the director was also constantly trying to schedule filming during times that members of the cast were unable to do due to other commitments, which was made clear with the director, however the director seemed to have a hard time listening to the needs of her actors. Overall, this script was a nightmare due to the disorganized nature of it. Although this script did prove how much more forgiving TV can be compared to theatre, as one of my lines took around 5 takes due to words being very similar within the line.

As the actor, the filming for 'Dangerous Affections' was certainly the hardest as it was the only script to remove me from my comfort zone. This is because one of the scenes that I had to do was a rape scene, of which I had never done before, so I was particularly nervous about shooting this scene due to worry of accidentally hurting the actress I was working with and generally having the scene look awkward. However, the filming was very organized and the director knew what he wanted from this scene, so the process was a lot simpler than I initially expected it to be. ]]> 2019-05-13 18:59:53 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359633747 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359671919 Overall, the entire process of acting on camera has gone well. Having well prepared directors for the most part really did help in terms of calming my nerves during filming due to it being a relatively new experience, as well as deciding how I was going to characterize myself as a sexist professor in 'Prove It', to one of the two friends in 'What's in a Name', and then a rapist in 'Dangerous Affections', and I believe that I portrayed this characters really well, as can be seen within the feedback provided by the directors, such as:
 "he showed his commitment to the character by always trying different approaches and adapting the character" (Prove It)
"You delivered the dialogue in the way that I envisioned them" (What's in a Name)
"He is an amazing actor delivers his lines well and portrays his character well" (Dangerous Affections).

Overall, some scripts, specifically 'Prove It' could have been done a lot better, however the process as a whole has been great.]]> 2019-05-13 20:57:41 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/359671919 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/360107679 Green, D, P. (2013) The 3 Major Differences Between Stage and Screen Acting. [Online] Available from: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/major-differences-stage-screen-acting-13449/ [Accessed 14th May 2019]

Hishon, K (2016). Stage vs. Screen: A Comparison of Acting Techniques. [Online] Available from: https://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/stage-vs-screen-a-comparison-of-acting-techniques/ [Accessed 13th May 2019]

Kain, J (2014). The Importance of Camera Awareness. [Online] Available from: http://www.keepitrealacting.com/blog/2014/03/18/the-importance-of-camera-awareness [Accessed 15th May 2019].

Liroff, M (2014). Why Table Reads Are Just as Important as Auditions. [Online] Available from: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/table-reads-just-important-auditions-12588/ [Accessed 15th May 2019].

Shadia, A. (2018) Stage vs Screen Acting: What are the Differences? [Online] Available from: https://www.stageandthecity.com/stage-vs-screen-acting-what-are-the-differences/ [Accessed 14th May 2019]]]> 2019-05-14 21:07:11 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/360107679 nichilin01 https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/360543510 2019-05-15 20:23:29 UTC https://padlet.com/nichilin01/i2ykf3zmtymu/wish/360543510