Actor Training At Home

I received a question recently from A.S.:

“What are some acting exercises I can do at home?”

First, I'd like to define what an acting exercise is: a process or activity that develops strength, dexterity, or skill in the art and craft of acting. That still covers a broad area, so now I want to break it up into two categories. I call them Targeted Training (like a workout routine) and Functional Training (think a general active lifestyle without going to the gym). For optimal “fitness” you'll want to incorporate some of each.

There are tons of ways to target train, and most of these can be done solo or with a partner. Here are a just a few:

1. Internal-to-external exploration. Say a portion of dialogue out loud with different goals in mind for your moment before, changes in intensity, or posture of winning/losing in the scene or conversation. This increases your flexibility in taking direction, too.
2. External-to-internal drills. This time around, play with diction, placement, volume, pacing, and silence. Pay attention to how the meaning and interpretation of the words measurably changes with each variable. This helps you move outside your familiar rhythm of delivery to uncharted territories.
3. Memorize something. If you don't have a script, pick a poem or passage of scripture and commit it to memory. MemoryTyper.com and ScriptureTyper.com let you upload and format text to construct custom typing exercises that can be fun. Memory is a form of muscle, so start building up to your marathon!
4. Create your own blocking rehearsal. Go ahead and put tape marks (or a creative substitute) on your floor to mark spots you'll need to hit “for focus.” Practice walking to and landing on your mark without looking down to find it. For more of a challenge, add in props, actions, or lines to deliver on the way, or design a longer “choreography.”
5. Practice your eyeline. If looking at a person, focus on whichever eye is closer to the camera. Do your best not to blink or move your eyeline until a motivated moment. Try timing yourself, and see how many emotions you can believably move through before you need to blink. Build up to it, though, and rest your eyes (closed) between “takes.”

Functional Training relies more on your everyday life. You don't necessarily have to carve out a specific time and space, but it does require a level of intentionality:

1. Take an active interest in people...history...culture. As the saying goes, “context is everything.” Your grasp of characters and stories will improve directly in relation to your understanding of and appreciation for unique perspectives and settings. If you aren't comfortable striking up random conversations, basic people-watching can suffice.
2. Learn to listen. Listen to truly hear and understand not just the words, but the intentions, needs, and goals of the person you are talking to. Then respond appropriately (as you, not a character...let's not get crazy here!). Never underestimate the power of the “reaction shot” on screen or in real life.
3. Take off the mask. Daring to be vulnerable is a good habit to cultivate in daily life, not just on a film set. Why be “real” on screen if you won't do it with those you know and care about? Within the bounds of propriety, go ahead and let your feelings show a little more. Great acting is more about cultivating authenticity than managing a facade.
4. Make bold choices. I don't mean taking irresponsible risks, but to renounce a cycle of indecisiveness. Whether it's ordering a meal, choosing an outfit, or picking a movie to watch with friends, don't sweat it so much on the small stuff. Weigh your options, make the best informed and efficient choice you can, and commit to it!
5. Acquire a new skill. Expanding your range as an actor extends beyond emoting and speaking in an accent. If you have specific type goals (say, action hero roles), you can choose things to learn that will support that. But learning something -- anything – is better than nothing, so keep getting your next “expansion pack.”

One more bonus “exercise” for you: study Scripture like you would a script. Take a scene and break it down. Analyze the people (characters) in the passage, and what is going on (action). What is being said, and why? What is the subtext? Is there any cross-referencing to other “source material” you can do to construct a framework for the current moment in the story? The Bible is crammed full of amazing stories that really happened and people who really lived. Let them come alive to you!

Happy exercising! :)

Got a question for me? Get in touch with me here, and I'll let you know when the answer is live on the blog!