Screen actors can better understand and or interpret their characters motivations by using props to make a performance feel more real and get into character for example if a charcter was I a pub during a scene having a glass with a liquid that resembles the type of drink the characterbis supposedly drinking in it would enable the character to seem more real whilst being played by the actor, or it could indicate to the actor that their character likes to drink and there for might act a certain way whilst drinking and another when they are not. Another example of a actor using a prop to better understand or interpret their characters motivations could be if it was a fight scene with knifes having a prop knife would help a actor to give the impression that they were really inappropriate fight versus if they did not have a prop knife and were in a supposed knife fight during the scene it wouldn’t make sense and would also made it harder for the actor to interpret their characters motivations.
An example of a scene where a actor would need to exhibit physical skills to operate machinery or perform stunts could be scene involving a fight. To prepare for his a actor would potentially learn the basics of how to fight to make a fight scene look believable when filmed, a actor most likely also need to train physically and get fit and gain some muscles, how fit would depend on how the casting director and directors would want you to look. Another example of a scene where a actor would need to have physical skills to operate machinery or perform stunts could be could an actors who character works in a warehouse or a farm and needs to drive a tractor or forklift it is not always the case that an actor would actually need to drive any of the two machinery I have mentioned above however in the case that they did a actor may need to get lessons and even a licence to operate the above machinery safely.
The process of selecting the right costume and props during screen acting will varie depending on what era a film or show is set in, the location and country it is set in, and what it is based on for example if the film was based on French soldiers during the revolution the charcter would most likely ear a French army/naval/air uniform but it would have to the same uniform that was worn during that particular era this would also apply to the types of props used by the actor for example it wouldnt make sense for an actor to have a phone or a upto date phone if the show was set in the 1800’s however if the show wasfictional and set 1000 years from now the prop phone would be made from imagination to look like somthing that was made in the future. By selecting the right costumes or props it can improve a actors performance and make it realistic versus I a actor had no costume and no props or props that don’t fit the scene a actor is relying completely on their performance alone which regardless of how good a actor may be it would take away from their performance and look more like a rehearsal than the real deal.
It is very important to have good vocal projection and diction when screen acting so that the boom mics are able to pick up your voice and hear you clearly via the recording, so that it is clear what is being said and lines are pronunciated correctly further more it is also important to be able to do many accents as possible to be versitle for potential roles and be culturally correct with an accent, for example if a character was from yorkshire they would need to have a Yorkshire accent and not a Welsh one.
Screen actors sketch out their characters’ backgrounds and motivations to inform their performance by reading into their scripts as much as possible learning all that they can from them and use this to create a good background for their character and have a interesting and informed performance. This process can contribute to a more authentic portrayal because if a character has a structured background created by the actor that is playing them an actor is more likely to connect with the character and even relate to their character somewhat and bring their own personal experiences to their character.
Actors plan and prepare for their on screen performances by hours of rehearsals and studying scripts, learning lines and the blocking of their scripts, learning where they are supposed to be on set while performing and taking direction. Getting into their characters and learning how they walk, talk and move and perceive themselves in general.
The role rehearsal plays in the planning process for acting is allowing a actor to get a feel of their character, to develop their character and rehearse the blocking of the scripts, it allows a actor to work with their co-actor, directors and company. Rehearsal allows a actor to practice and develop their facial expressions, body language and mannerisms as their character. Rehearsals also help a actor to put into action any ideas they may have had whilst learning their lines and going through their scripts and also to help with their nerves and stage fright.
Actors incorporate character analysis and research into their plans for screen acting by doing such things as imagining where their charcter was before a scene and where they are going after a scene thus making it feel less like a performance and more like a snippet of real life. They incorporate it by using their research and analysis of their character o enhance there performance and make it more believable to an audience.
Location scouting and set preparation contributes to the planning process for screen acting by ensuring that the location a scene/s, film or series is filmed in fits into where the script is set in and allows actors to really get into what their character is like depending on set for example if a film was set in the 1800s in grand House in the country the location would need to align with this rather than it being in a city house in the town where a set wouldn’t be able to change the characteristics of this and wouldn’t make sense where as if the location was in a country manner house making a set to accommodate the time era would be alot easier and realistic. Actors can actively participate in these aspects of planning to enhance their performances on-screen by going along to the sets and getting a feel for the locations and a understand of the theme as to be able to rehears their characters accordingly.
Set and design
For this project we worked in the recording studio at college, by using these facilities we had access to recording cameras and had the chance to work with the cameras ourselves and get a feel for them, before our performance we worked in a team to figure out all the different shots and angles we would need. For sound recording we used the sound mic to pick up the sounds of our voices and we recorded with the cameras.
Rehearsals
For this project we didn’t have a lot of time to rehearse however I enjoyed the process and how we brung together the scene in our small cast from when it was only down on paper to us bringing it to life to the ‘screen’ so to say. Between myself and my group we blocked out every part of the scene to make it look as realistic as possible. Below are some recordings and pictures of our rehearsals.
This is a clip of our group rehearsing our fight scene and blocking it out as it’s classed as a stunt and has to be carefully thought out in order to avoid injury.
Costumes and Props
We wore studio blacks for this performance as we were only recording small scenes, such as blacks trousers, tops and or jumpers and shoes. For props we selected appropriate props for example our scene was set in the 1920’s in a bar so we used props such as fake cigarettes, plastic cups as the glasses in the bar and coins. We were planning on using a cap during our performance as detection in the actual scene of peaky blinders however we could not locate it on performance day.
Above is some of my groups makeup/costumes for our performance and the fake cigarettes we used as props, as shown we wore studio black and had makeup/special effects to emphasise our characters overall looks.
Risk Assesment
Performance day: 31st of January
| Hazard | Whos at risk? | Actions to be taken | Liklihood (1-5) | Risk Rating (1-5) |
| Tripping over wires | Whoever is on set | Tape wires down where possible and take casting when walking around set | 3 | 2 |
| Falling over props or set | Actors on set | Plan and rehearse with props and set in their required positions | 2 | 1 |
Script and Blocking
