What Skills Are in Your Basket?
Let’s take a minute to talk about what those skills might be and more importantly which of those are totally accessible to you right now. And maybe which ones you’ll need to hone a bit.
Here’s a list:
Memorization
Script analysis
Playing behavior
Recognizing transitions
Playing transitions
Clear articulation
Emotive Voice
Reading your scene partner
Working off your scene partner
Listening
Affecting your audience
Creativity
Character development
Believability
Stamina
Branding
Relaxation
Accent Acquisition
Masterful use of your body
Physical fitness
Creating Levels – Beginning, Middle and End
Confidence
Presence
Taking direction
Working with others
Being Resilient – bouncing back from “no”
Special skills – horseback riding, driving, playing an instrument, etc.
Experiencing the scene/not watching yourself
Auditioning skills:
Having a great slate
Moment Before
Eye lines
Referencing – Creating a 3D world in your auditions
Button
Networking
Marketing
Emotional Preparation
Personalization
Secondary Action
Understanding story
Stakes
Crying “on cue”
Being in the moment
Playing the moment
Allowing moments
Verbs/tactics work
Playing Conditions – drunk, hurt, sick, limping, etc.
Theatre vs Film vs TV acting
Green screen acting – creating imaginary objects, locations, etc.
Using breath work
Picking up cues
Wow! Seems like a lot. But as I’ve said before acting is complicated, it may not look like it when it’s done really well, but there’s a lot to it.
So go back and read the list again. Mentally tick off the skills you feel most comfortable with and make your list. Awesome! Those are the skills you have right now in your acting basket. Those are the things you’re good at and you can lean into RIGHT NOW! Use them. Use them consciously. And keep them up.
Now go back and reread the list. Look at the skills you feel you don’t have yet, but would really like to, or would like to develop more. Jot down like maybe 5? And then ask yourself what you can do to start honing those? If you’re not in a great class that is teaching you skills I highly recommend you get in one. Remember, just like any other elite activity, acting takes training.
So, you’ve got your list, you’ve taken a nice look at what’s in your skill basket, and maybe what you’d like to add. Now go and apply them to your acting. Maybe you didn’t even realize that you had as many skills as you do, maybe you we’re just forgetting to use them. That’s OK, use them now.
Go forth and book, fabulous actor you!