Didn't Know Acting for Camera and Was Kicked Out | 20 Tips

Acting for camera- a fine art

Ignorance may hurt you!

Let me give my own example when I faced the camera for the first time in 1999. It was for an episodic "AAHAT" by Mr. B.P. Singh, the great director, cinematographer and producer of "CID". I had a small role of a scientist.  I had to deliver a dialogue and leave. I didn't know nor anybody told me how to take an exit. As usual, they had taken me for granted that I knew all about acting for camera. Well, I left after my dialogue, walked straight and stopped thinking that shot must be over. What followed was a silence. And then shouts! "Aarey, why did you stop?" " You should have taken a left turn out of camera frame!" There were more shouts... "Who recruits these idiots?" "call coordinator John!"
"Kahan se aise logon ko pakad kar latey hain?" yelled assistant director!...

I was kicked out!
Hurt and broken I realized then the importance of learning acting for the camera and took immediate steps to know the art.

Film Vis Theater

• The major difference between acting for film and stage is the venue.
• A film presents your performance to viewers at closer range. There’s nothing “Deep” about the difference; it’s just like moving from outdoor Theater to a small room.
• In film, you are acting in front of a camera, and you need to speak in a normal voice with restrained body movements. And on stage, you are standing on a river bank talking to a group of people standing on the other side across the bank and trying to listen to you and understand your gestures. So you have to speak loudly with a bit of exaggerated gestures.

Acting for Camera

1. Ask if you don't know a thing...entry, position, blocking. Ask AD or ADP. Your mistake could be terribly embarrassing!
2. Always keep going until the director shouts "CUT". Continue to be in the character. There may be a retake immediately!
3. Never stop either movements or dialogues when the camera is rolling
4. Never look into camera lens directly unless asked to do so
5. Hitting mark- you may have to walk while delivering your dialogues and reach to a mark (for the camera). Know that mark. Usually it is marked with a colored tape. Unfortunately, you cannot look at it while walking. Quickly rehearse creating intermediate "points" marks such as a table, light, chair to reach to your final point. If there are tiles on the floor, count them before you reach to your mark. The best is to count your steps as you walk normally to reach the mark
6. Generally ignore the camera lens; "let it find you"
7. If you cannot see the camera from your eyes (even from the corners of your eyes), your face will be hidden from the camera. Know this before making facial gestures
8. In a multi camera studio or where there is more than one camera, ask for where to look. Otherwise a red light means that the camera is on. So keep a reaction on your face for that camera
9. If the shot is of a group or with co-stars, ask if you are in the camera frame. If not, then relax. If in then take care of your expressions and gestures
10. Manage your acting style within the camera frame as per a particular shot

• Long Shot: Large gestures (camera at a distance)
• Medium shot: Small gestures (Camera at a short distance, e.g. 10-15 feet)
• Medium close up: Normal gestures
• Real close up: Restrained gestures of facial expressions

Other important tips nobody will tell you

1. Vocal intensity and impact can be created by the increasing pace (speed) at which you speak your dialogues rather than volume.
2. When the camera is moving with you (tracking you) as you walk, talk fast BUT move slowly
3. There is a tendency to speak loudly when you're speaking with a heavy accent e.g. in a particular dialect (Bhojpuri, South Indian, Tapori..)
4. When speaking at low levels do not lose energy or reduce the pace
5. Remember carefully: When you are going to be contained in more than one shot of a scene, which often happen as the same shot is usually taken from different angles or POV (Point of view) or OTS (over the shoulder), remember what you have spoken in the first shot and do not change your dialogues for the 2nd or 3rd shot. Speak exactly the same.
6. You are acting for an audience of one-the other player/ players will be picked up by the camera
7. Learn your lines well.  While on camera your mind should not dwell on remembering lines. You have to take care of many other important things in a shot such as camera angles, movements, handling props, reacting with your co-stars etc.
8. React before you speak. For example, open your mouth before saying "A"...of a word "Aaj" of a sentence "Aj main Delhi Ja raha haun". Or intake a breath before you speak
9. React with your expressions to what is going with a shot. When another actor is talking or moving or picking up something
10. A camera loves eyes. Move your eyes when in a shot. They can be very effective. Move them up and down when listening to another character

Updated Post Since 2013

Can't Do Comedy? Missing Chances? Learn Easily Here

Comedy in Bollywood film Grand-Masti

Tell me, who doesn't want to laugh? Especially, even more so in these depressing times! Comedic acting is tough, but if you get it right and then there are plenty of opportunities not only in Indian cinema and in serials but internationally as well for you.

The key factor to do comedy: Learn Improvisation! 

What is comedy?

Comedy is a genre of film that uses humor as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is to provoke laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters.

Types

Absurd Comedy

The humor in these films tends to be nonsensical with exaggerated characters and situations. This type of sub genre often uses slapstick tendencies

Action-Comedy

It combines action with humor. Action-Comedy relies on the characters to bring out the humor, while the action scenes tend to be less intense than in the traditional action movie.

Romantic-Comedy

It attempts to catch the viewer’s heart with the combination of love and humor. This sub-genre is light-hearted and usually places the two protagonists (main male and/or female characters) in humorous situation. Romantic-Comedy film revolves around a romantic ideal, such as true love. In the end, the ideal triumphs over the situation or obstacle, thus creating a happy conclusion.

Horror-Comedy

Horror-Comedy combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Horror-Comedy films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear.

Spoof–Comedy

These films impersonate, ridicule, or scoff at serious situations and people. These films rely heavily on satire. For example tomfoolery, to deceive, to play a hoax, to play a trick or to satirize gently

Slapstick-Comedy

Slapstick comedy is a sub-genre of film that incorporates physical comedy into the story. Slapstick uses visual action, such as harmless violence and horseplay (rough, boisterous play), to depict humor. Slapstick film often relies on comedic timing and a controlled psychical performance of a single actor.

In Bollywood films and TV serials there are only few productions based totally on the above mentioned sub-genres. Indian comedy films/serials may incorporate all of the above or some of the above genre in a single film/serial. Therefore, an actor must learn and practice all the above-mentioned types of comedy

How to be a successful comedy actor

1/ What exactly comedy is. What makes us laugh so hard?
Comedy is about suffering. That’s right – pain, sadness, tragedy, and injustices are all the perfect foundations for a funny story. The old saying, “you’ll either laugh or cry,” couldn’t be truer when it comes to comedy. The more a character is in trouble, the funnier it is to watch – hence the term “comedy of errors.” Desperation, unpredictability and deep situational entanglements force actors to solve improbable (and often crazy) situations with exaggerated (and hilarious) solutions.

2/ Stick to the script.

Comedy is all about rhythm, timing, and pace, and it's your job as a comedic actor to identify those things in each and every piece of scripted comedy you perform.
Comedy, when done right, is like a good song. Just as a musician plays the melody as composed, a comedic actor must stick to the script. That means following the words exactly as written. Don't add or drop words or attach handles to the beginnings of sentences, like "Look," "I mean," "Well," and "So." And don't change the punctuation e.g. exclamation signs, question marks, pauses etc!
3/ Improvisation
Learning the technique and excellence in Improvisation is mandatory. Note that auditions for a comedic may character require improvisation.

Mistakes committed

Unscripted movements

One of the biggest mistakes that can kill a comedic scene is unscripted movement (which are NOT in the script. This includes adjusting your clothes, scratching your nose, stretching your neck, waving your arms, tapping your thigh, rolling your eyes, and so on. Unless movement is specified in the script or by the director, you should stay still, as any extra movement will distract from the comedic rhythm.

Overacting

Do your absolute best not to over-act. Don’t try to be funny. Don’t fake it. Don’t get embarrassed. Don’t expect laughs by over-exaggerating your facial expressions. If the script is well written and funny, then the laughs will come – do not force them! One of the worst errors a comedic actor can make is to anticipate laughter.

Not understanding timing

A very important aspect of comedic timing is pausing for the audience to laugh (that is, if they are laughing). Young or novice actors often get nervous and continue with dialog without a pause, forcing the viewers to either stop laughing or left wondering what they just missed in the dialogue. The amount of time that you should pause for laughter comes with practice and experience.

Develop your own funny style

Think about the all of the successful comedians you know like Mahmood, Johny Walker, Johny Lever. Asrani and many others. They all have a distinctive personality, But how do you do this?

Watch these great comedians and ask the following questions to yourself and seek answers

1. "What makes them funny?"
2. "What does their voice do while speaking major comedic points?"
3. "How is their body language?"
4. "Are they realistically funny, or do they playing the role as a 'character' ?"
5. After watching actors perform their craft, you can then begin to study your own style and then plan to develop as a comedic actor.

My simple formula to prepare for a comedic character

Just imagine and practice-

• If I am an idiot, how will I behave?
• If I am a fool, how will I perform a role?
• If I am a fool but behave as if I am the most intelligent person on the earth
• I grasp things very slowly. People have to explain and repeat things repeatedly. Therefore, my reactions are absurd. I either make a poker face or drop my jaw or just smile or become serious. I am always unconnected 
• I am always in hurry. Many a times though I do not understand, I react as if I knew in responding or replying
• My physical responses are either too slow or abnormally fast
• I am always in incongruity which means out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming

Bollywood comedy films to be watched repeatedly for learning comedic acting

Golmaal 3 (2010), Singh is King (2008), Golmaal Return (2008), Dhamaal (2007), Welcome (2007), Kya Kool HaI Hum (2005), No Entry (2005), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Hungama (2003), Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001), Hera Pheri (2000), Chachi 420 (1997), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Gol Maal (1979), Bombay To Goa (1972), **** Padosan (1968)

Join us NOW to get trained: http://topactingcoach.werbly.com

Updated post

Rejected? 10 Tips on How Not to Annoy a Casting Director

Millions of artists from different parts of country aspire to become an actor and enter the entertainment industry and long for one big break. Some of them do get their chance while many end as "Strugglers" only and one of the major reasons behind this is nothing but the lack of proper knowledge of the "auditioning process"
Soon a book "Casting Room" will be published in English and Hindi written by one of the top casting director Manoj Ramola. Aspiring actors must buy this book when published

1. Don’t wear strong perfume or cologne 

Many a times, a casting director along with his/her colleagues sit in a small, cramped room without ventilation for hours. Some of them are highly sensitive and allergic to perfume and get migraines and nausea. Think of the casting office like a doctor’s office. Don’t do it. Females more often make this mistake.

2. Take showers or a bath

Though it's true that you should avoid strong perfumes, it's equally important that you don't smell badly. In a hot and humid climate of Mumbai, a mild underarm powder or a deodorant after a shower is ok.

3. No props

If you know your scene in advance and which shows your “character” with props like a brief case, some stick, bottle, knife or anything else, don’t carry into the audition room. It distracts people. The same applies to over dressing as a “character” trying to impress a casting director. For example, over dressing for a politician's character from head to toe.

4. No beard or stubbles or half -nude

Unless told so by your coordinator or by production people. Give a casting director a clean slate to visualize and draw a “character’ in you by your looks and performance. Girls should be careful. Be decent unless informed otherwise; let a casting director imagine what he/she wants

5. No cutting jokes or touching the casting director

It could be a deadly mistake if a casting director is a female. Men: Charm, wit, and personality are great, but being over friendly or flirting is just bad manners.

6. Wear underpants 

(Need not to be explained)

7. Don’t audition if you’re not available for the job

Find out in advance which are the shoot days. Actors who think it’s better to be seen even if they aren’t available are wrong.

8. No Excuses

 Leave them at home. Words like “sorry”, “I got stuck in traffic”, “I had a fever and cold last night”, Sorry, I didn’t get time to memorize”, “I have a bad throat”….or “I’m sorry I may not give a good performance because I…”
If you have an explanation for your poor performance, don’t go for an audition

9. Don’t do any odd or unnecessary gestures

Like slapping your fingers, scratching your nose, swinging from one leg to another. It distracts auditioners.

10. Be nice and courteous to everyone

Partly based on

My final suggestion

Before you start going for auditions, learn auditioning techniques from experts- school or from your acting coach.

3 top Secrets Only for You | How to Learn Acting Free Online

Do you know the cost of being trained as an actor in a good institute in India?
In Mumbai top schools like Barry John Acting Studio and Whistling Woods charge from Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs.9Lakhs
This is a hell of a cost!!
I have learnt over a period a secret to learn acting on camera, with directors and on an actual set free of cost!
This is how you can do it:

Secret No 1

Get the entire training material online visiting free acting site (Like this blog of mine) and practice religiously alone in front of a full size mirror or with your friends. Unfortunately, there are no well known online free courses in India except mine. However, I will strongly recommend this International site for online learning:
http://www.backstage.com/

Secret No 2

When you are a bit more confident, create your resume and a picture portfolio. It is better to create a video, writing few good lines and asking some friend of yours to shoot video with a good camera or on a good mobile. Transfer it to a computer.

Secret No 3

In Mumbai, go  to:

• ZIMA (ZEE INSTITUTE OF MEDIA AND ARTS, Lokhandwala circle, Andheri West)
• DIGITAL ACADEMY (Near Hotel Tunga Paradise, MIDC,. Andheri East)

And do what?

• Find out where the classes for students undertaking courses in Direction or Filmmaking are being held. 
• Wait for students to come out. Meet them (Preferably before the end of their course). 
• Introduce yourself and give your resume and pictures. 
• The students of these courses will be making a film to be eligible to get a diploma or certificate. It is mandatory! These future directors usually do not prefer student actors from their institute due to either poor quality or due to some other problem.
• They look desperately for aspiring actors outside of their own institute, as they can't pay well. 
• Hang around their classes and meet them. Tell them about yourself 

And You Got a Job, buddy!

When they make films, everybody, i.e. Director, cinematographer,  including yon, are "1st timer" so learning is a fun with an additional advantage of decorating your resume with a creditable work!

If you need further help, contact me.
GOOD LUCK!