Bad acting mistakes

Submitted by sherrieberriebee on Sun, 03/16/2008 - 06:04.

A few weeks ago, I asked about common acting mistakes for new actors. I got a response or two about mistakes actors make regarding career choices in the acting field. But, I was wondering specifically, what common errors occur in amatuer acting itself. I teach a high school drama class and want to give them a list of "bad acting" blunders. Of course, I have my own list, but I am wanting to get some input from those of you in the business. Even the most basic ideas would be welcome. Thanks so much.

DO NOT shake the casting

Submitted by brittney on Sun, 06/15/2008 - 22:04.

DO NOT shake the casting director's hand at an audition, unless he offers to you first!

Beginning Steps to Mastery: Bad Acting Mistakes

Submitted by aliencorn on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 07:32.

Ruth Kulerman
BEGINNING STEPS TO MASTERY: BAD ACTING MISTAKES
OMG. There are a thousand acting mistakes! A couple of years ago I wrote 40 full length articles for ActorTips and I am sure every article contained "What to do" and "What Not to do" comments.
So that this note doesn't compete with "War and Peace" in length, let me with great restraint limit my answer to three "mistakes" that are comparatively easy to correct.
1. "Windmill" acting--What's that? using arms and hands wagging or swinging or punctuating each phrase -- meaningless gestures. So what's wrong with that? First, it is distracting. Second, it uses energy that should be in the voice AND energy that should be internal. These meaningless movements "leak" energy AND they scream "I am nervous." Some of the most "still" actors are wildly energetic internally, so much so that they glow with an inner electricity. My own training was in London and with British coaches in New York. I remember one tiny shrew who literally slapped my arm when I unconsciously tossed my arm out to emphasize the line I was saying in a Shakespeare scene. "You are allowed one gesture per act. Make it count. THAT one didn't," she snapped. Her criticism was deliberately exaggerated. But it taught me to be "still." Windmill acting also includes beating out the phrases with your head. This is particularly irritating to watch on film. Monologues are rarely part of a film/TV script but they do pop up occasionally. I recently watched an old film starring an actress whom I just adore (as an on-screen personality, she is delightful). The monologue (addressed to a young man she loved)was punctuated with at least 12 meaningless head waggings. Adorable actress, not-adorable acting.
2. Vocal pitfalls: These include mumbling. It is urgent in film, TV AND stage that every word be understood. Another vocal no-no's I have defined as "turtle talk." This is running out of energy about three words before the end of the sentence--even if the sentence has only four words in it! It means the listener has to supply the last words of the sentence because the actor has pulled his voice back into his turtle shell. Cure? First become aware of this habit. (Tape yourself. It will help you become conscious of that habit.)Keep the vocal line going until the thought or the sentence is finished. Keep vocal energy alive.
3. The pitch of our language really cannot be discussed in writing. It really requires sound. But each language has its own music. Listen very carefully to the ends of the sentence. America and England tend to go very very slightly up at the end of a sentence. This is essential to an actor. The "dying fall" at the end of the sentence drops the energy, and a drop of energy becomes quickly monotonous. Stopping that habit (and every actor I have coached the past four years has had this "dying fall" habit) is tough. When the "person" talks to me, the sentences inevitably go up and give a feeling of life and energy. But the minute "the person" becomes "an actor" the actor starts to "act" and that inevitably means down goes the pitch at the end of the sentence and up pops monotony.
Three "mistakes" for new actors to fix.
There are oh so very many more. People look at actors on the screen (large or small) and think, "Hey I can do that." Yes, indeed. But as in any art form, there are masters and there are amateurs."Windmill acting":
head,hand, arm wagging is amateur. "Turtle talk" is amateur. The "dying fall" is amateur.
However, there is hope, because in these areas, attention and practice can turn amateur into master.
Ruth Kulerman

re: bad acting mistakes

Submitted by natbot on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 15:37.

Don't change "the plan" during a performance! Stick with how the director has guided you. If that's working, don't try to be a superman (or girl) by overacting.