On camera?

Question

Ok so I have to take this acting class. I dont want to be like the only on that doesnt know whats going on with the camera. So does anyone know how to stand, look, and everything else while a camera is filming? And any other tips.

Websites would help to.

Answer 1

uhh i was in a movie  without ever working with film???

its not hard?

Answer 2

Never look directly into the camera.... near the cam is fine, but never into the lens.

Relaxed shoulders.

Imagine your hands are very heavy, , so they don't wave all over the place.

Imagine your feet are very heavy, so you stay in one spot, and don't move around too much

Smile, with your eyes and mouth but don't overdo it, and relax the rest of your face. Try in front of a mirror..... Imagine your eyeballs soften.... this will help relax the eyes.

Answer 3

Well they should tell you some in the class, but here's a primer from my film acting class--

1. The most well known-- don't look into the camera! The director should show you where to look, but if he/she doesn't: If the camera is right of your center, look to your left of the camera. And vice versa. In other words, look to whichever side will not have you looking across the camera, because that will make you accidentally look into the camera.

2. Be very facially expressive! Camera work is different then stage work. Always remember this: Facial response then line. So after another person in the scene says a line, react with your face for a good few seconds before your line.

3. Watch extraneous movements. Where on stage you can shuffle a little and get away with it, a camera catches all movement, more depending on how much of you is framed. Which brings me to the next point...

4. If it is a closeup of your face, don't move from side to side at ALL! You could be moving in and out of frame. You can be as expressive as you want with your face and even hands, just watch the shuffle!

5. Know know know your lines! You can improv a little bit sometimes with theatre scripts, but most directors hate improvisation. Know your stuff.

6. Wait for the cue from the director to start. Likewise, wait for  the director to say "cut" or "scene" before you stop acting. Keep on your "acting face" after your last line until the director calls the scene!

7. Make sure you always look character appropriate and presentable. Wear makeup! Not as thick as stage makeup, but more substantial than street makeup.

8. Be yourself! Cameras can tell when you are being genuine. Try to have genuine responses to the scenes you perform. Camera acting is much less showy than stage acting.

9. Make sure there is power behind your voice, but that you aren't too loud. Go for just a little louder than regular speech but not nearly as loud as stage acting.

Have a great time! I hope some of that helped. Again, I'm SURE you won't be the only one who doesn't have it perfect.

Answer 4

If they ask you to slate (say your name, age and the role you're auditioning for) then you do look into the camera but this is the ONLY time you are allowed to look into the camera unless the script says specifically to do so.

If you are doing a monologue, then you look just to the right or left of the camera lens.  Choose a focal point and keep going back to it as if that point is the person you are talking to.  

If you are doing a scene and the person you are reading with is off camera, same as above.  That person is just to the right or left of the lens.  If they are on camera with you, make sure your body is always open to the camera just like on stage unless the director tells you otherwise.  It depends on how tight the shot is and how many cameras are being used, etc.  Sometimes so that you can be seen, you have to cheat.  Meaning you may not be looking at the person you arein the scene with but you may be looking a bit further to the left or right of that person.  You just have to make sure it doesn't read fake.  

You also have to remember your marks.  Where did you stand when you said what word?  You need to hit the same marks every time so they can piece those takes together to get the best shot.  Your director should block your scene with you beforehand or you and your scene partner decide so this shouldn't be too hard.  Just practice :-)

As for how to stand... how would the character stand?  It depends on the material.  Study your script and make character based decisions.

Also, you do NOT overdo the facial expressions.  Film picks up subtle movements and expressions.  You do not have to go overboard with your smiles, looks of disgust, etc.  Slight expressions will read on camera.  If for some reason something you're trying doesn't show well, your director or classmates will let you know.

good luck!

Marianne