contents Introducing the Actor 4 Film Acting 6 Getting in Character 8 The Fourth Wall 10 Working in Front of the Camera 12 Working On Set 14 Being Consistent 16 Learning Lines 18 Using Your Voice 20 Act Natural 22 Stunts and Combat 24 Becoming an Actor 26 Auditions 28 Glossary 30 For More Information 31 Index 32
introducing The ACTOR You spent last night reading your lines over and over making sure you knew them off by heart You arrived on set early Now with hair and makeup ready you are called onto the movie set All around you there are camera crew members lighting technicians and sound recordists The director calls Action With a camera inches from your face you must forget the crew exists relax and say your lines It is not always easy being an actor A movie actor has to know where the camera is and forget it’s there both at the same time 4
An actor needs to be able to act be creative be disciplined be able to cope with rejection have a good memory for learning parts quickly be determined have a good understanding of dramatic techniques I’m curious about other people That’s the essence of my acting I’m interested in what it would be like to be you Meryl Streep Cell Phone Movie School If you have always wanted to be a film star try getting together with some friends and making your own movie You can use a smartphone or any camera that can take video See if you can find a friend who is interested in directing movies and one who wants to be a camera operator You may know people with all kinds of hidden talents such as doing hair and makeup making costumes managing lighting and sound and even doing special effects Ask around pin a flyer on your school bulletin board and see what happens 5
