Acting In Intimate Environments - article by MOREinfo-About.com

Acting in Intimate Environments

In all instances where acting is done in an intimate environment, slightly different acting approaches are required from those used in large theatres or in motion pictures. The techniques used in acting in an intimate environment might be said to be somewhere in between the above mentioned media.

Obviously, acting in any environment or medium requires basic acting skills. There is a difference, however, when actor and audience are completely separated. Acting in a major theatre, for instance, requires a somewhat larger-than-life performance, with the ability to project emotion and action through slightly exaggerated body language, vocal projection and facial expression. The acting performer must convey thought and emotion to the back row, so to speak.

Conversely, when acting in an intimate environment, dialogue must be more conversational, body language more relaxed than in a large theatre. The audience needs to feel intimate involvement with the characters, almost as though participating in the acting process. Characters become unconvincing if acting is overdone in an intimate environment.

Acting studies of course often take place in an intimate environment...a studio or small university classroom. Here actors learn the basic skills which can lead to acting expertise, and which must be adapted slightly to the environment of large theatre, intimate space, or the merciless scrutiny of a camera. Acting in an intimate environment is similar to acting in the spaces where study is often done, and therefore may recall the studio more than the stage of a large theatre.

Acting in an intimate environment must avoid the pitfall of actually making eye contact with the audience...as this will destroy the illusion of time and space where the story is unfolding.

Acting in an intimate environment, however enables the actor to sense more directly the response and reaction of the audience. Thus acting in an intimate environment has both pitfalls and rewards.

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