THE ACTOR'S GUIDE: How to Become an Actor

- 1.3: Screen Acting Terms

not narrated by me, from the internet.
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I. Basic Screen Acting Etiquette:

1. Always keep going until the director shouts "Cut!" and then keep on acting for a bit.

2. If you mess up a line, keep going until the director calls a halt to the take. Let it be HIS/HER decision.

3. Do not stop a take for any reason, except for possible injury or death.

4. Never look directly into the camera lens unless specifically requested to do so.

5. Never ask the director what size of shot it is - ask the camera operator.

6. Hit your mark! Being in the right place is often more important than saying the right line.

7. Maintain your concentration and eyelines all through the tedium of lineup and rehearsal; it helps both
your fellow actors and the crew.

8. An actor only has status between "Action!" and "Cut!" Exception: A star may have it all the time.

9. Never say you do not want to play a role; say that you are unavailable.

Never say "No," say
"Maybe" instead.

II. The Camera Lens:

1. Generally, ignore the camera lens; let it "find and reveal" you.

2. Don't merely cheat an eyeline, motivate it.

3. If both your eyes cannot "see" the camera lens, your face will appear to be obscured.

4. Keep on an imaginary narrow path that stretches out from the front of the camera. Remember that
shots are composed in depth, not width.

5. In a 3-shot, put the lens in the middle of the gap, not yourself.

6. If you have trouble hitting a mark, line up 2 objects at the final position you have to hit. Establish a
"web."

7. Shoulders angled toward the camera often look better than straight-on ones.

III. The Frame:

1. When doing commercials, cheat all business, hands (gestures), and important props (product) up
into the "hot" area in closeups.

2. Adjust your acting style within the frame according to the size of shot:

a. Long Shot = large gestures/scale - back of the house (theatre)

b. Medium Shot = smaller scale, intimate arena theatre, theatrical reality.

c. Medium Close Up = Actual reality; the real thing

d. Extreme Close Up = Very intimate; think it, put all concentration/energy into your face.

3. Be prepared to stand embarrassing close when acting and speaking with other characters.

4. There is no reality outside the frame; time and/or distance outside the frame may be expanded or
contracted.

IV. Vocal Tips:

1. Project only as far as your fellow actor(s).

2. Intensity can be created by increasing enunciation and pace, not volume.

3. When the camera is moving with you (tracking), talk fast but move slow.

4. If you are told to tone it all down, try reducing only your volume but keeping the scale of your
gestures (such notes usually refer to the voice).