You had say acting classes. *cries* I can't afford them and so far away from the classes I want to take.
Learn to cold read! Learn to read off the text by thought by thought and moment by moment! React to what comes to you. Let it come. Don't think its wrong. Just let your guts take over. See what you get! Keep going over the text like that!
Keep saying the text out! Use imaging! That is an actor's biggest tools! Let the emotions come. Don't force the emotions. People see them.
Work off the script by cold reading. How many times I said that? A LOT! COLD READ EVERYTHING that has words! That will make you better!
And my friend when you learn to do that you will find "KNOWING" the character without to much effort. Other words you find you know the character words right off the page buy 20 lines at the same time! Or more! But it takes time.
And time you be able memorize things so quick you will give yourself more time.
Camera Less is more. ACT WITH YOUR EYES don't gesture a body part if you must!
Stage project! Those old ladies in the back seat can't hear you! Be sure they can hear you! Speak slow. It feels weird but when you need to speak louder you got to speak slower. You will hear over and over pronuciate don't bit the words off.
ACT WITH YOUR EYES ALL THE TIME!
There is a saying in England. YOU GOT TO EARN EVERYTHING! You need to have a reason why you wave? or why you looked to your left!
Props! Read Uta Hagen! She's great! Props are like relationships!
Relationships! YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS FOR EVERYTHING ON STAGE AND FILM!
I shut up now...LOL
Break a leg
but think big and act with your eyes for film. Up close don't waggle your head. Love the camera.
Remember the camera is one audience but MILLIONS will see!
And if you have a camera pratice...I do but I have nothing myself and camera for practice my craft. Oh that is a 24/7 acting is.
So check me here...
www.starnow.com/marytennantMy torchwood video is a good example and I have another on but that is face book. I find a way to put it on there.
EDIT
ONE BIG THING!
BREATHE! Learn to do breathing exercises from Patsy Rodenburg books for breathing! I never hear any teacher talk about this! I agree with Patsy this IS THE FIRST THING!
So breathe and don't forget to breathe. And one more don't for get to cold read every day 30 min every day. They say ten min but I say 30. And ELIZABETH, KING JAMES BIBLE, SHAKESPEARE, BEOUWULF, OLD POETRY, OSCAR WILDE, TS ELLIOT go for the big old names! Trust me it make you better!
And I recommend to go to church...Don't roll your eyes on me on this! I am going to tell you what you can gain from attending church! Pastors will mention things about how things are those days! You will see how slavery really was like! Etc. So when it you do Oscar Wilde on "SHALOM" you have a great understanding.
ALWAYS Research! This is my fave part of acting is learning as you go about people!
When you feel you did enough! YOU ARE WRONG! You are never finish!
I can't shut up on this topic. SIGHS