Actor Educational Resources: Becoming a Better Actor

Let’s start with something that sounds more controversial than it actually is.

Education doesn’t get you anywhere.

What does this actually mean? It means that education isn’t the vehicle that drives you from point A to point B. It’s the map that can assist you in plotting out your course. You’re the vehicle and the driver, so it's up to you to put in the effort required for that education to assist you in progressing forward.

This is important in every aspect of life; including your career. It’s especially important as an actor due to the fact we wear many hats when taking on this chosen path. We can be our own PR team, marketing team, support group, business manager, accountant, instructor, and the list goes on.

The goal of this article is to supply you with resources from varying media formats to assist you with your own journey. Let’s now begin by diving into books!

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway

Books:

Keep Going by Austin Kleon
Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon

These books take on the creative process and work-life balance. You’ll dive into how to sell your art without selling your soul, reminding yourself of the “why”, and facing criticism (among many other points). Both resources are easily digestible while keeping everything informative.

Acting for the Camera by Tony Barr

Tony Barr gives you insights into acting and the production process. Though the film production aspects are a little dated, the points on acting still hold true. You’re going to find information on how to pull a character out from within you, how to stay focused as the character and the importance of actually listening in a scene.

Acting In Film by Michael Caine

Acting In Film gives you Michael Caine’s thoughts on Acting and working on a film set. There are some great gems on the intimacy between actor and camera as well as the importance of subtly. One of my favorite takeaways is that when you’re acting, your character has a ton of amazing thoughts about what’s happening when they aren’t speaking; never simply sit there waiting for your cue.

Backwards & Forwards by David Ball

This book provides a new way of looking at scripts to help you fully understand important facets like pacing, plot and underlining character thoughts. Backwards & Forwards gives a great reminder that scripts are not just dialogue but a culmination of many elements. The way we review the script impacts whether we pick up all of the information we need or not.

“To embody a slice of life on stage/film/script/book is awe-inspiring; like peeking into a window to the soul or prima materia”
― Val Uchendu

Online Scripts:

There’s a wide array of resources online where you can find scripts. These scripts can be from established films and tv shows or created specifically for actors to practice and audition with. It's important to work with these resources to keep your skills sharp. Print the scripts you feel fit within your range, do the table work as you would for any audition or production and get it on its feet. For those of you who want to do film acting, make sure that once you’re ready to perform it (even if it's in your living room or kitchen) that you do so in front of a camera (e.g. camcorder, phone, DSLR).

One specific online location to find scripts is Showfax, which is a part of Actors Access. If you have an account with Actors Access, you’ll have free access to Showfax and all of the scripts they possess. You’ll be able to search scripts by location, production or keyword. Beyond finding content to work with, this can also give you a good sense of what shows are being worked on and what kinds of roles are currently trending. You can then look at how you can fit into those roles and implement this thinking into your homework.

“A picture is worth a thousand words…….and a video is worth a million pictures…..”
― Ankala Subbarao

Videos:

How Ian McKellen Acts With His Eyes by Nerdwriter1

This video does a great job of breaking down Ian McKellen’s work in The Lord of the Rings. Nerdwriter1 highlights the importance of using your eyes as an actor as McKellen does. The eyes can tell us a lot about what’s going on internally with a character. What does the character believe or disbelieve? Is there something that concerns them or makes them hopeful? This can all be told through the eyes.

An Acting Masterclass From Sir Michael Caine by BBC

This is an interview with Michael Caine where he breaks down the importance of actor concentration, dealing with the reality of a scene and what the character is going through within a moment. One important takeaway is how Caine highlights the power of reserving certain emotions in order to tell a deeper story.

The Business: Memorization of Performers by SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA’s video discusses the different points that can help you with your memorization and how to avoid elements that will waste your time. One of the best points they make is that in order to memorize, it's important to put a script on its feet and say it aloud. You also want to be running lines in different contexts for long-term memorization and to feel more comfortable in unfamiliar environments. Run your lines while doing the dishes or walking through the park. Where ever you find your self traveling to and during whatever you find yourself doing, use that time to rehearse.

Westworld: What Makes Anthony Hopkins Great by Nerdwriter1

Nerdwriter1 goes into the amount of work Anthony Hopkins puts into understanding the script. Hopkins brings a strong level of confidence with him which assists him in being able to create multiple well-crafted moments in just a short period of time. He’s able to sit comfortably into the script, indulge in certain moments, quickly pull back in others. This provides a story that layers itself on top of the words we hear. In the end, Hopkins knows his character has an intent with each thing he says and doesn’t use a line simply as a bridge to get to another part of the script.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”

— Aristotle

Classes:

I’m currently writing this during the Coronavirus outbreak. At this time there are no classes that are meeting in-person. But once we can move forward, it’s important to keep practicing and using the tools we have — which includes being in a classroom setting. If you’re looking for film acting, I recommend finding a class that puts an emphasis on the technical aspects of acting in front of the camera.

There are several acting classes that actually don’t focus on how the actor can use the camera to their benefit and how to work with it effectively. The technical classes can initially feel slow but they have a huge payoff long-term for you as a working actor. One educational location I can recommend is LA On Camera, which is run by Jamison Haase. He’s patient, passionate, provides great insights and has put together a system that will give you the tools you need to grow.

I truly hope that this information can assist you in creating a path to your goals. If you have some success stories or if there are resources not listed that you’d like to share, make sure to connect with me on Twitter (@EvinCAnderson).