Acting for camera blog

A filming shot of me as Hanibal Lector.

My final performance of Silence of the lambs

I decided to try this script out in my own accent, in order to help with the naturalism, and also I did not want to just imitate the film. I decided to also put a ‘camp’ spin onto my take on Hanibal Lector, and Scot said this helped my performance to be its own and not a copy. He also commented that it added to the mystery of Lector, and added to his scariness and unpredictability. 

Scot said that the important thing to remember when playing a Villain such as Lector, is to be aware that people who commit bad crimes often have a reason behind it that justifies the behaviour in their own head. Ivana’s book The power of the actor has a chapter dedicated to how to play a serial killer/ murderer so this is definitely something I will look into as I have never been a serial killer, so its hard to relate to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZPLVDwEr7Y

Another thing Scot asked me to work on for next time to add another layer on to my performance is substitutions. Substitutions is when you substitute someone in the scene with someone from your own life, this then helps bring up natural emotions. It also helps you want to win your objective, as there is an emotion attachment. 

Scene: 

The first thing we had to do was go home and watch the film, as well as research it, in order to understand the story line and the characters. Although the film is an old classic I was looking forward to putting a modern spin on it. The film is obviously hard to relate to the plot, so Scot (using the technique) advised us to come up with overall and scene objectives. These objectives (Ivana’s first tool) allow you to win something within a scene. The objectives should be universal, such as ‘to get you to love me’ as this is something everyone can relate to, and therefore will root for you. This helped me as its hard for me to relate to the plot, so choosing an objective I think will help my performance. As long as your seen as trying to win, you’re a winner. 

I watched this youtube video, which talks about her book ‘the power of the actor’ which scot has recommended us all to buy. He calls it his ‘acting bible’. Scot has discussed the technique with us and the tools that come with it, but this video went in too much more detail. It explained not only the tools and how to apply them but also how to ‘let it all go’ at the end before you go on to do a scene. I will continue to research this technique and buy her book. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOVPMV5wgv4)

..when starting this unit, our class had only ever worked with camera’s once before, and we didn’t go into that much depth with the techniques which accompanies camera acting. This can be seen as good as Scot could start from the basics on the techniques of Ivava Chubbuck!

Right, after meeting Scot and our class getting to know each other, Scot explained that this unit will consist of producing three different, contrasting performances which will be filmed over a one day period, with three different days. Sounds fun, right?

This is my new director, when I first heard about Scot becoming my new director, I became almost over thrilled with excitement. However, after finding out he’s holding a gun (Refer to second photo), I’m absolutely petrified.. 

Through this module I will be aiming to develop my confidence and ability to perform to a professional standard of acting to camera. This will be through the different techniques and acting styles to approach the camera and to produce contracting work which outlines the technique I will focus on. This term we will be having a director called Scot Williams, who will be teaching us the Ivana Chubbuck technique, a technique similar to Meisner just developed for this day and age. I am really looking forward to trying this new technique, as I need to work on my naturalism skills behind the camera. 

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