Preparing for a role?

Question

I'm going to be in an independent film later this summer, and I was wondering how I should work on preparing for my role. I will be playing a young teenager in a small town that discovers a dead body one day while babysitting, and I later find out that my boyfriend's twin is the demented killer. I don't know much about the role other than that, but I need some help. What are things that you do when preparing for a new role?

Answer 1

Well you don't have a lot to go on to help you build a character. There are two schools of thought on performance....especially for film. There is the acting method favoured by the old stalwarts like Lawerence Olivier.....basically pretent...then there are those who get more absorbed in the role exploring the psychology of the character, becoming, in effect, someone else, such method actors are Dustin Hoffman or Daniel Day Lewis....Watch several of the films of Day Lewis to see what I mean by getting absorbed in the role.

Can I suggest you find out how old this teenager is....a 13 year old will have very different world view to an 18 year old. If the character is not clearly defined then its up to you.....Is she geeky/nerdy/a goth/ a cheer leader or jsut someone very bland and ordinary......imagine her family, how does she fit in...is she a light hearted person, flirty, serious or an angry young teen...how close is she to her boyfriend....are they intimate. How does she walk and hold herself....is she brash and confident or shy. When it comes to performance you will have to draw upon your experience and imagination.....good luck

Answer 2

You can play for a cute science  class student in

a public school,going to discover onto your projects

focussing  upon your quest.

Answer 3

Decide if the character walks, talks, thinks like you.  You should start with the commonalities.  The character should come from WITHIN you - don't try to grab it from the outside.  If the character has an accent - start with your OWN voice and add.  The same for a walk - or any physical aspect.  Remember - it's very important that both the voice and the physicality of the character are consistent.  They can't come and go - or they won't be believable.  Starting from within yourself will make this easier.  And remember - your character only has a weird accent or a funny walk - etc. - if the director thinks it does.  So - check in with him/her about what you're thinking in regard to the character.

As far as "acting" - my method is kind of archaic.  I just pretend.  It's what I've always done - ever since I was 8 years old (and I'm 51 now).  I just play pretend.  I've taken classes - and learned some methods - but mostly - I just pretend.  I heard Drew Barrymore being interviewed a few years ago - and someone asked her what method(s) she used - and she said - "You know, I just pretend.  I just play pretend."  I was so thrilled to hear her say that - because I respect her as an actress - and if pretending works for her - then it can darn sure work for me.

Also - if you can get ahold of a script - do it - and learn your lines.  Having your lines down is the most important thing.  I know that in film - especially indy films - they are forever changing the script - so be prepared to be versatile after you learn them - but if at all possible - get a script.

Have fun!  Break a leg!!!