By focusing on developing a deep skill set, in acting classes in nyc or other qualified institutions are of the utmost importance. There is one thing that acting classes in nyc cannot teach you, for the most part, and that is an auditioning technique that you can use out of the classroom. Audition tapes are a big part of the process now. An expensive, professional video is okay for an audition tape but, certainly not necessary. All you need to do is rent or borrow a camera and ask some fellow actors or a director friend to help.
How you appear is key, and lighting is a big part of this. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. However, if the lighting is too strong, you will appear completely washed out and "hot" which is just a distracting. If the lighting serves as a distraction to your performance you've wasted your time. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. If you are enrolled in acting classes in nyc or elsewhere, there is likely a teacher or professional who can assist you. A diagram of a simple lighting plan is something they can help you with.
It should involve three lights, relatively bright, or a light source from outdoors. A light should be placed in front of the talent (you) one on either side, and far enough away to not cause shadows or hot spots. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. There are audition tapes that have dark backgrounds which can set a certain mood and this can work. Just be sure the overall tape is not too dark, or the contrast too great between your face and the background. Correcting the color with a white balance feature is the important next step.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. They range from being very yellow to very blue. Let's say you set up the lighting, and you are also near a window. By hitting the White Balance button you can adjust the camera to "balance" the color between those two light sources. Just place something white in the approximate place where you will be standing and hit White Balance. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. Forget to do this and skin tones and all other colors will be "off," which is very distracting.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. If you cannot be heard, you cannot perform. No one wants to sit through a tape that they can't hear. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. Let's face it, acting is a form of communication and you cannot communicate clearly if you can't be heard. Acting classes in nyc sometimes have ways to help with this.
Once the basics are set up, content becomes the focus. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. A coach trained in the Meisner acting technique should be able to offer a lot of great tips on how to prepare. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. In Meisner acting nyc, a key thing to keep in mind is what is left "out." Editing the performance, leaving some elements of the character underneath the surface is key. Leaving some elements of the character out, is one way to engage your audience immediately. If you can get the casting agents, directors, producers to begin to infer things about your character that are being left out then you are doing your job as an actor.
If asked to present something specific, of course you must. Casting agents and at times producers, will ask for more general monologue audition tapes. It makes sense to prepare something that involves your strengths. Legendary actors can present mesmerizing layers of emotion in a short time. Tragedy and comedy always work together, for instance and its good to include a sense of both. Videotape your chosen material several times and enlist friends and teachers from your acting classes in nyc to review it and make constructive comments. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
How you appear is key, and lighting is a big part of this. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. However, if the lighting is too strong, you will appear completely washed out and "hot" which is just a distracting. If the lighting serves as a distraction to your performance you've wasted your time. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. If you are enrolled in acting classes in nyc or elsewhere, there is likely a teacher or professional who can assist you. A diagram of a simple lighting plan is something they can help you with.
It should involve three lights, relatively bright, or a light source from outdoors. A light should be placed in front of the talent (you) one on either side, and far enough away to not cause shadows or hot spots. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. There are audition tapes that have dark backgrounds which can set a certain mood and this can work. Just be sure the overall tape is not too dark, or the contrast too great between your face and the background. Correcting the color with a white balance feature is the important next step.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. They range from being very yellow to very blue. Let's say you set up the lighting, and you are also near a window. By hitting the White Balance button you can adjust the camera to "balance" the color between those two light sources. Just place something white in the approximate place where you will be standing and hit White Balance. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. Forget to do this and skin tones and all other colors will be "off," which is very distracting.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. If you cannot be heard, you cannot perform. No one wants to sit through a tape that they can't hear. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. Let's face it, acting is a form of communication and you cannot communicate clearly if you can't be heard. Acting classes in nyc sometimes have ways to help with this.
Once the basics are set up, content becomes the focus. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. A coach trained in the Meisner acting technique should be able to offer a lot of great tips on how to prepare. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. In Meisner acting nyc, a key thing to keep in mind is what is left "out." Editing the performance, leaving some elements of the character underneath the surface is key. Leaving some elements of the character out, is one way to engage your audience immediately. If you can get the casting agents, directors, producers to begin to infer things about your character that are being left out then you are doing your job as an actor.
If asked to present something specific, of course you must. Casting agents and at times producers, will ask for more general monologue audition tapes. It makes sense to prepare something that involves your strengths. Legendary actors can present mesmerizing layers of emotion in a short time. Tragedy and comedy always work together, for instance and its good to include a sense of both. Videotape your chosen material several times and enlist friends and teachers from your acting classes in nyc to review it and make constructive comments. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides nyc acting classes for serious actors. To learn more about commercial acting visit the studio website.