Getting into Character! Help Please!?

Question

Hi all,

There was a sort of audition and I made the lead role.

lol I must admit the script isn't the best.

In the movie I am a former nerd who replaced all my studying time with playing the guitar. And I become a good player and make it big, to sum it up I'm a nerd gone rocker.

The movie is a documentary about how I made this transformation to inspire other "nerds". lol (I'm building a resume).

From which angle should I take on this role? How can I make it seem as though this is truly me, like I'm not acting. Some tips would be helpful.

I know you are supposed to pretend the camera is there, but the movie is going to have a lot of close-ups, and I tend to laugh when the camra is in my face, or when I know it is zoomed on my face.

How can I overcome the desire to laugh or smile.

Thanks, I really apreciate all help. :)

Answer 1

Focus on your character's objective, superobjective, subtext and motivation.  In none of the above does the awareness of a camera or audience enter into the reality of the character.  If you think only about the former, then the latter isn't possible.

If all else fails, just get the yuks out in rehearsal and then move on.

  

Answer 2

alrightt... to not laugh think of something serious. like you getting fired from your job if you laugh.

logic.

hope i helped.

Answer 3

Congratulations!

Realize it is not about you "acting" like someone else, rather about you coming  to sympathize with and accept your character and not judge them. Get into their socks and underwear as my acting teacher says. Once you get a solid grasp of your character if you still have issues with the script, discuss with the director - before you start shooting. It may be possible to make changes. It will be good if you can have some rehearsals first to work things out.

Get a copy of Michael Shurtleff's book "Audition", and Ginger Howard Friedman's book "Callback", they are both great and will help you a lot..

Forget the camera except to remember your blocking so you don't go out of frame. Usually you will not look directly at it anyway.  If you are really into character you will not be thinking about yourself personally and how you feel about a camera,  you will instead focus your attention to the other character(s) in the scene and react to them. In a way it's like you put yourself aside and become someone else while you act.

Have a great time and good luck, hope I've helped