Acting The Passion and The Dream

By: Nitin Saluja

“Beautiful acting is when the actor isn't there, just the character is there.”

The universe and all of history is your classroom

It takes a very strong and dedicated person to pursue a career in acting. After all, you are doing it because you love it. You couldn't imagine doing anything else. And of course, not many people will understand this. Some people cannot understand why anyone would want to do something with such an unpredictable future.

No one can quiet explain that feeling that you get when you perform. One of the most exciting things about acting is that you can be or do anything that you want. All the worries and sorrows disappear. The stage is a very relaxing place. It's your home. You learn, grow, and develop there, as an actor and as a person.

The members of the audience come to be entertained and/or educated. They are living out their fantasies through your character. Therefore, your portrayal of the character must real and truthful.

In order to act, you must be an observer of life. You must watch people closely: how they talk, the gestures they make, and so forth. You must observe and then be able to duplicate what you see. This is real. This is true life. You also must experience all that you can. This gives you more knowledge and a broad area to work with for understanding your character.

Try new things, experience life. Don't be the spectator, that's not your job. The definition of to act is to do. As Miss Stella Adler said, "You cannot afford to confine you studies to the classroom. The universe and all of history is your classroom."

In show business, the first impression can sometimes be the last impression. Producers, directors and casting directors are busy people. The deciding factor in giving an unknown (or even an experienced actor whose opportunities have been limited) a chance to read for a part is often based on first impressions.

It's up to you to know how to handle yourself during an interview: how to be at ease, and how to be well poised. How to sell yourself; how not to oversell yourself.

To become the actor that you want to be takes loosing your ego and trusting in your teachers experience to help develop you into the professional that you know you can be.

Acting isn't about you; it is all about the character.