Increase your acting skills with acting scripts. Cold read auditions are a standard method of hiring actors.
A cold read is when an actor is given a script and asked to perform it with 5 or 10 minutes preparation. You can practice your cold read skills with acting scenes. What should you do when you are given a script for a cold read? Do you know what steps you should take?
Your goal with any acting script is to create a memorable character. You begin that process by breaking down the scene. Breaking down the scene consists of asking yourself questions about the scene. By answering these questions, you develop a character. Ask yourself where is the scene set? Your character will behave differently in a crowded restaurant than in the privacy of a home.
How do the characters know each other? Have the characters just met or have they known each other? What was each role in the script doing fifteen minutes before the script starts? Breaking down a script requires that you answer these questions. Most often the script will hint at these things or outright tell you with notes.
As an actor you must define what the goal of your character is. All the roles in the scene interact with each other according to their own wants. A character without a goal is not going to interact with the others. Each person behaves the way they do in order to achieve their want.
Two characters may have wants in opposition to each other. This is called the conflict of scene. It is possible for the conflict to be something other than a person. In disaster films like Armageddon the primary conflict is the cast against the asteroid. It is a team effort to save the Earth and there is no villain. There is only the impending catastrophe.
Choosing wants and conflicts is a very subjective task. Every person who reads a scene may have different interpretation. In fact, you may be able to interpret a scene several different ways. As an actor you want to make bold choices. Deciding that your character is depressed and wants to be left alone is usually not a good choice. If you do see several interpretations, which ones lead to an exciting scene, and possibly play to your strengths. The character must be involved in the scene and actively pursuing the want.
The author of the scene likely had conflicts and wants in mind, and you'll find clues in the scene. The dialogue may lead you toward particular choices. Your choices should match the tone of the scene or the intent of the author. Think of Stanley in A StreetCar Named Desire. He is clearly loud and brutish. But it is the job of the actor to bring the subtle emotions to life. Why is Stanley loud and brutish? What circumstances contribute to his behavior at any one time? When the script calls for an argument is your character mad at another character, himself, or world in general. What you want to do is explore strong choices that will be interesting but yet still work within the overall scene.
You can also make choices as to what transitions the character goes through. Does your character change how he feels through the course of the scene? Does your character experience several emotions? Are there evolving circumstances or is information revealed in the scenes that might make your character reconsider a position. You have a chance to display your range as an actor by choosing different emotions. If you can truthfully portray multiple emotions, the director or your audience will notice.
A cold read is when an actor is given a script and asked to perform it with 5 or 10 minutes preparation. You can practice your cold read skills with acting scenes. What should you do when you are given a script for a cold read? Do you know what steps you should take?
Your goal with any acting script is to create a memorable character. You begin that process by breaking down the scene. Breaking down the scene consists of asking yourself questions about the scene. By answering these questions, you develop a character. Ask yourself where is the scene set? Your character will behave differently in a crowded restaurant than in the privacy of a home.
How do the characters know each other? Have the characters just met or have they known each other? What was each role in the script doing fifteen minutes before the script starts? Breaking down a script requires that you answer these questions. Most often the script will hint at these things or outright tell you with notes.
As an actor you must define what the goal of your character is. All the roles in the scene interact with each other according to their own wants. A character without a goal is not going to interact with the others. Each person behaves the way they do in order to achieve their want.
Two characters may have wants in opposition to each other. This is called the conflict of scene. It is possible for the conflict to be something other than a person. In disaster films like Armageddon the primary conflict is the cast against the asteroid. It is a team effort to save the Earth and there is no villain. There is only the impending catastrophe.
Choosing wants and conflicts is a very subjective task. Every person who reads a scene may have different interpretation. In fact, you may be able to interpret a scene several different ways. As an actor you want to make bold choices. Deciding that your character is depressed and wants to be left alone is usually not a good choice. If you do see several interpretations, which ones lead to an exciting scene, and possibly play to your strengths. The character must be involved in the scene and actively pursuing the want.
The author of the scene likely had conflicts and wants in mind, and you'll find clues in the scene. The dialogue may lead you toward particular choices. Your choices should match the tone of the scene or the intent of the author. Think of Stanley in A StreetCar Named Desire. He is clearly loud and brutish. But it is the job of the actor to bring the subtle emotions to life. Why is Stanley loud and brutish? What circumstances contribute to his behavior at any one time? When the script calls for an argument is your character mad at another character, himself, or world in general. What you want to do is explore strong choices that will be interesting but yet still work within the overall scene.
You can also make choices as to what transitions the character goes through. Does your character change how he feels through the course of the scene? Does your character experience several emotions? Are there evolving circumstances or is information revealed in the scenes that might make your character reconsider a position. You have a chance to display your range as an actor by choosing different emotions. If you can truthfully portray multiple emotions, the director or your audience will notice.
About the Author:
Scene study is just one way you can develop as an actor. Studying an actor prepares and method acting and the acting tips in it is another method. Visit ActingScenes.com for more information on method acting.
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