Loren E. Chadima's Intentional Acting

Actors on shows like New Girl, 2 Broke girls, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Friends seem like they are being silly and are having so much fun that their work as actors is often mistaken for being easy.  In actuality there is a lot of technique to what they are doing. The 3 techniques listed below are the most common mistakes I see when actors are working on sitcom material.

1.  No Dead Air

Comic timing simply defined means pick up your cues and don’t leave any empty spaces or “Dead Air.” Every moment has something happening in it whether it is a line, a sound, or a gesture.

2. Play Frustration, Not Anger

In comedy, even if it looks like anger, usually the character is just frustrated with the other character. Frustration, rather than anger is lighter and allows you to fight fore a greater variety of outcomes from the other character.

3. Make sure that when you say the lines that they are Clean, Crisp and Clear.

A line that ends in a period is one thought. Sitcom dialogue is short and very specific.  To deliver the lines specifically and clearly your thoughts, your understanding and meaning of the lines, have to be specific and clear as well.  When you’re specific in your mind and you enunciate clearly, your performance will feel clean and it will be funnier.

These techniques are difficult to explain in writing so please add a comment that might help a fellow actor.

Fearlessness

As artists we choose different mediums to express ourselves. Actors choose acting as their medium to share some deep need or secret or story. And it seems safer because we are sharing through our character’s story – so it may feel like a mask, but….

The paradox is that when we actually have to get up in class, or in front of the camera, and be vulnerable and use our character’s story to express our own, we get scared and hide. Fascinating – because we are the ones who chose the profession of “being vulnerable.”

How do you move past this block and create vulnerable performances, which are fulfilling to you and your audience? You have to develop fearlessness.  You must be a fearless artist and take risks.  Think about it: the very best performances are when you feel someone spilling their guts out. Look at this year’s Academy Award-winning performances: Lupita Nyong’o, Amy Adams, Jared Leto. (Actually, look at every year’s Academy Award nominee list.)  My opinion is when an actor really goes out on a limb and risks great vulnerability it is usually their best work. A great example is Matthew McConaughey: Dallas Buyers Club. He put a lot on the line for that movie, including his own money. He was vulnerable in multiple ways – his money, his healthy, his soul – and see how it paid off.

So the question becomes: What do you need to create a vulnerable performance?

If you’re an actor or know someone who is feel free to share this article with those you believe could benefit from it. Thank you.

And risk being vulnerable right here. Share your experience as a fearless or fearful actor. Who knows, your input just might make the difference in preparing and inspiring someone to deliver the performance of a lifetime.
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LIVE THE DREAM YOU WERE BORN TO

Acting should be simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you are an actor, or know someone who is, and you need a safe place to be yourself and to be challenged to continually grow and share vulnerable performances, Intentional Acting may be the right class for you.
There is no better moment than now to make the intention to take full control of your acting career and live the dream you were born to.