Preparing for an acting role (character work)?

Question

hi

i have recieved my first acting role in a feature film. However being not so experienced in this makes me feel unprepared and not know how to prepare for the role.

what tips can u give me develop my character so i can play it the best possible way?

thanks heaps

Answer 1

This may seem ridiculous, but: daydream.

Take time every day to just sit down and daydream, imagining your character's life: what it's been like up to that point, the things in his/her life that have changed him/her for the better, or for worse.  Go through every single line in your script and see how it could connect to the character as a person.  Why do they say it that way?  Why do they say it at all?  What are they thinking when they say it?  Do this for all your lines.

Now that you've done that... step back, cause you just went way over the top!  But remember, it's always easier to come back down than to climb up, so going over the top is good.  Now that you've seen your character's development, how he/she has changed and grown as a person, you've reached that point where you understand your character well enough to know how she/he would act on a regular basis.  You may want to try acting off camera occasionally in your normal day. Sit down and read a book or watch a movie, pretending you are this character - does he/she love the action scenes?  Does she/he talk to the characters (i.e. "What the h**l are you doing?  Only idiots go into the basement when someone just died!")?

Just get used to being the character.  If you can do that, then  you're good to go!

Congrats on getting your first role!

Ta!

-Tamora

Answer 2

ask yourself a lot of questions....do the standard: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY. i know it seems cheesey, especially when you are already aware of most of the answers, but to physically answer the questions will not only force yourself to delve further in order to full anwer the questions you pose, but demensionalize the character for you...make it real and tangible. get into detail with these questions to. think about questions people have asked you in order to get to know you better. favorite song, color, food. once you have your answer, then ask yourself WHY? do these things specifically effect the character. you could also go online, once you have a substantial amount of background on the character, and answer random questions inthe guise of your character to see how he/she would respond. not necessarily to the people posing the questions, mind you, simply to yourself. good luck!

Answer 3

find the character that you want and develop it yourself.

Answer 4

visit this: http://www.hollywood-opportunities.com/t...

good luck! and make sure that you don't forget your lines :) Practice makes perfect!

Answer 5

Take yourself on the imaginary journey to find who the character is, and look inside for the part of you who can relate to this person. In you mind place this character in situations and be prepared to be entertained by the responce he /she has to it. get to know him/her in different situations. You can get the character to cross dress too, it might ring out something new

Do this as you are learning your lines and then when you can say the things without the script, improvise and play with the responces this character is driving you to respond with.

You might want to change your voice, and find one, also a shape of your body that's not you, a mannerism  perhaps that you can use to keep you in character.

Good Luck!!

Answer 6

wow congrats!

try being the charcter for a few days/weeks

think how they would think and act how they would act

its called m,ethod acting, where you live as your character

whats the film?

Answer 7

Im not sure, but i would say practice in front of a lot of people, let them be your critic and ask what they think. After all they will be the ones watching you in the film right?