22 Jan 2020

How Screen Acting Classes Can Improve Your Body Language

Nonverbal communication is an essential part of acting. We do it without thinking in our day to day lives, but when you’re playing a part, everything from your posture to the movement of your hands should be deliberate. The physical, non-verbal aspect of acting is commonly considered to be the hardest part to master, but screen acting classes are incredibly valuable to giving you the…

Nonverbal communication is an essential part of acting. We do it without thinking in our day to day lives, but when you’re playing a part, everything from your posture to the movement of your hands should be deliberate. The physical, non-verbal aspect of acting is commonly considered to be the hardest part to master, but screen acting classes are incredibly valuable to giving you the tools and guidance you need.

We communicate much more nonverbally than we do verbally. While this proves to be critical for actors who want to play a variety of roles in a believable manner, it is also very important in practical life also, such as during auditions and interviews. Here are just a few of the reasons why body language is something every new actor needs to take seriously.

Act Natural

Put simply, good actors don’t look like they’re acting. You’re meant to fully embody a role, not to just appear as yourself reading someone’s else’s lines. While acting naturally can be difficult for newer actors to learn, it’s necessary if you want a career with any sort of longevity. 

Acting naturally covers a wide range of things, including the number of times you choose to blink in a scene, how you sit down in a chair, and just how you carry yourself in general. Are you moving around and interacting with objects the way someone would in real life? Or are you in your head and thinking about it too much? This all relates to body language. Body language not only helps communicate things nonverbally, but it also allows you to exist naturally in a space while in character. 

Screen acting classes connect you with instructors who can point out to you when your body language isn’t quite right. From there, you can learn strategies and get all the tips and tricks you need so that you feel confident about tackling this challenge head-on. 

Claiming Your Space

Similarly to acting natural, it’s important for an actor to create normal amounts of space between themselves and other actors and props, all the while looking completely natural. Learning about how much space you should have between yourself, other actors, and objects is valuable. Not only does it help you act naturally, but it also allows you to feel confident during auditions and other important meetings.

The Loudest Micro-Expressions

Micro-expressions may sound small, but they are far from insignificant. Invoking the minor, involuntary changes of one’s face when feeling a strong emotion in your work as an actor will set you aside from amateurs. 

Among the universally understood micro-expressions are emotions like disgust, sadness, and contempt. Standing in front of a mirror is a great way of practising making these expressions, whether it be in a more subtle or dramatic fashion. A screen acting class can be helpful in this case, as it’s good to have somewhere you can learn about these tiny movements, work on incorporating them into your acting, and then receive feedback.

The people you audition for will be able to observe your personal micro-expressions, whether this is in your role as a character, or simply when being yourself walking into the room. That’s why you should find the right balance between polite and professional, without being disingenuous or desperate. Casting directors can detect those micro-expressions too. 

Use Your Eyes

The eyes really are the window to the soul. How you use them can turn an okay audition into an unforgettable one. If you’re doing a reading of a script for an audition, the last thing you should do is avoid eye contact or anything else that closes you off. Sometimes having unwavering, deliberate eye contact can be all you need to really communicate a message. 

Beyond the audition, using your eyes is also just a general acting tip, and a critical one at that. Being aware of how much you’ve been blinking, or whether your use of eye contact is abnormal or not, is a great thing to unpack in a classroom setting.

Emotional Impact

Some underestimate the emotional punch that a nonverbal act of body language can have on a scene. A father’s hand on a son’s shoulder, the slight nod to confirm bad news, and the grabbing of a friend’s jacket during a hug can all be such powerful indicators of these strong emotions. Sometimes we, as viewers, get tired of just being told how people feel. We want to see it. It doesn’t have to be spelled out all the time.

This is why making the decision to invest in something that will help you with your body language is a good idea. It’s these quiet moments that can be the most important, emotional, and gripping moments of a performance. Don’t neglect the power of subtlety.

A Diploma of Screen Acting Changes Careers

Finding it hard to set yourself apart from the other actors in your city? Are you tired of being good, and want to be great? Getting some level of training is valuable for actors of every kind. To have someone to guide you, teach you, tell you about what they’ve learned, and the mistakes they’ve made in this industry, can be really beneficial to those looking to break into the world of acting.

Visit the link to learn more about the Screenwise Diploma of Screen Acting 10065NAT or by calling us at 9281 4484. It’s that easy! 

You may also find it helpful to read through the testimonials of our amazing alumni and the fulfilling and lengthy careers that so many have made. With a combination of our training and your own hard work, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. We hope you’ll be the next to join us!

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