The Secret Code of Filming Acting

1
The Secret Code of Filming Acting

• Classifications of Actors
• Stage versus Screen Acting
• The American Star System
• Styles
• Casting
• Theory of organic form form and content are
  mutually dependent in any art form.

2
Classification of Actors

• Extras
• No speaking, no talent, lend atmosphere to scene
• Diners in the background of a restaurant scene
• Nonprofessional performers
• Amateur performers who seem particularly
  authentic for a certain scene
• Sports figures who guest star as themselves

3

• Trained professionals
• Trained in stage and/or screen performance and
  can, ideally, play multiple and different roles
• People that you see in film, theatre, or TV but
  might not know their names
• Stars
• Famous person whose name draws audiences to the
  show
• People that youve seen before and would like to
  see again, and whose names you know

4
Stage vs. Screen
5
The Star System

• Backbone of the film industry
• Decided by the public, by popularity
• Have fans, little privacy, danger of stalkers
• Make more money than other actors
• Get perks, wardrobe, makeup, privacy on set,
  assistants, percentage of profits
• Can be personality stars or actor stars
• Personality Tend to play one type of character
• Actor Capable of playing more than one type

6
Styles of Acting

• Styles vary cross-culturally and
  cross-historically
• Traditional/Realistic
• Highly trained in voice, physical, etc.
• Method acting
• Constantin Stanislavsky
• You must live/feel the part to play it genuinely
• Improvisation

7
Casting

• Typecasting
• Finding an actor to fit a stereotype
• Tom Cruise as a person with a problem with
  authority
• Casting against conventions and expectations
• Finding an actor to go against a stereotype
• Bill Pullman as an authority figure

8
Acting Analysis

• What kind of actor is playing the part? What kind
  of part is it?
• What are the characteristics of the actors
  performance? How is voice used? Body?
• What are the characteristics they are emphasizing
  in their character? How are they using their
  instrument to convey that?
• How might another actor playing the role change
  it?