A great actor will have the knowledge of acting technique, the ability to explore, the ability to empathize, and most importantly, the ability to let go. The actor must be able to prepare in advance, but let go and trust that his preparation was sufficient and trust his instincts.
Of course, acting is an art form, and art is subjective. But there are a few things that people generally recognize as important to improving as an actor. So, let’s take a closer look at the key qualities that all actors should possess. Whether you’re naturally talented or not, focusing on these things will undoubtedly make you better.
Control over yourself (body and voice)
There’s a reason why all theater schools devote so much time to body and voice. Even if you have the psychology of the character, without full control of your body and voice, your performance will not be good. An actor who is not in control of their physical form and their voice will often appear awkward, out of place, or lack the necessary presence on stage or screen.
It is very important that actors constantly train their body and voice to be in control. Most of us lead a sedentary lifestyle in our daily lives. You don’t have to be an athlete, but as simple as it sounds, getting up and moving is really important.
Many actors swear by movement practices like yoga because it helps improve mobility, flexibility, and connects the mind and body. If you don’t like yoga, that’s fine. Find something that works for you, that you enjoy, and that you will stick with. Adding this practice to your morning routine can be extremely beneficial.
Know your acting technique
Acting technique is very important in helping an actor develop their range. There are many different acting techniques and I believe there is a technique for everyone.
Maybe you’ve studied Stanislavski’s methods but don’t find them useful. Fine! Instead, learn about Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, or Lee Strasberg. Over time, you will find what works for you.
Empathy
Before explaining why empathy is so important for an actor, it is very important to establish the difference between sympathy and empathy. According to Merriam Webster, “‘sympathy’ is when you share the feelings of another; ’empathy’ is when you understand the feelings of another, but do not necessarily share them. This is a very important distinction.
Actors often play a variety of characters, some of which can be very dark. You don’t always agree with the actions or decisions of the character. Therefore, it is important that the actor has the ability to empathize with the character, to understand his motivation, regardless of whether he agrees with it or not.
Ability to research
A great actor will have the ability to research. This can come in many forms, from analyzing a script to online or in-person research into aspects of the character’s life. If your character is a doctor, you should be familiar with the process by which someone becomes a doctor.
If you are playing a real person, it is important to immerse yourself in every aspect of their life. You have to really understand who that person was and how other people perceived them. If there is an opportunity to talk to people who knew the person you will be playing, it will be a great opportunity.
When Gary Oldman played Lee Harvey Oswald (the man accused of assassinating John F. Kennedy) in the 1991 movie. Oldman went to Dallas and New Orleans and met people in a bar who knew people who knew people who knew Lee Harvey Oswald. He said he had to be an investigator.
Because of this, Oldman was able to meet one of Lee Harvey Oswald’s closest people and learn really interesting, tiny details about this man. For example, he didn’t like the dark, ate an ice cream cone every morning, and hated people he couldn’t predict.
Work ethic
The best actors are those who put in the work. Acting is not easy, it can be incredibly exhausting. It can take years to hone your acting skills.
But those who persevere, who love it so much that they put in the work to learn and improve, who study technique and learn from the greats, who spend hours researching and developing their characters and everything else that goes into being an actor. These actors will be great.
Confidence in your choice
It is extremely important for an actor to make a strong choice. Many actors don’t dedicate themselves to their choices because they worry that their choices might be wrong.
When auditioning, performing, or developing a character, an actor has to make decisive decisions. Even if these decisions are technically wrong, the actors’ performance will benefit, and therefore the audience will appreciate the actors’ choices.
Many actors who go to the set or rehearsal room for the first time “reduce” their choices because they don’t want to make a mistake in front of the director. This is the wrong way of thinking.