Such a great insightful view on the art of acting. Not only does this include 10 lessons from Michael Caine, but it provides a 6 part acting workshop video from the man himself. 1) When speaking to an actor off-camera, look into one eye and stick with it. 2) Film acting is, in large part, reacting and listening. 3) While rehearsing something with a fellow actor, if a crew member can come up and recognize you’re rehearsing vs. having a real conversation, then you aren’t doing it right. 4) An actor relaxes in front of the camera by concentrating, and knowing that you have no enemies on set, everyone’s on your side and doing their best to make you look your best for the movie. 5) The camera catches everything you do, so don’t be afraid to play things subtley. 6) If you’re going to smoke on-screen, you must plan it absolutely perfectly, don’t mess up the continuity. 7) All actors steal certain gestures and behaviors from other actors — but the best actors make these gestures their own. Steal from the best, and make it your own. 8) You can make four pictures as an actor in the time it takes a director to make one — so if you’re an actor planning on becoming a director, consider the financial aspect. 9) A majority of movie acting is relaxation. If you’re knocking yourself out, you’re doing it wrong. 10) Theater acting is an operation with a scalpel, movie acting is an operation with a laser. http://goo.gl/gJq0t
awesome tips!! Thanks for the Share Edwin!
I've watched the Michael Caine video extras and they are amazingly informative. I believe you can find them on youtube if you want to watch him teach. I found it to be very helpful especially when he workshops with some young actors and helps them rework a scene for the camera.
Glad to share, Karla! The videos of the workshop is, as you put it Kathleen, amazingly informative, and Michael Caine being completely open about his trade with an at-ease attitude makes it even better! You can find the youtube videos through the link in the post.
Another great post, Edwin...Thanks!
There's a book for this too. I read it last year...sounds like mostly the same stuff.
It is. The videos are from the same time he wrote the book. The videos I found were really great for visual learners.
Casey, that scene from The Trip is golden, though Coogan gets the age mixed up right?