This challenge comes from a small writing group. We have a large series of random questions that we answer and share. The goal is to answer at least one per week.
Question: Is acting a learned skill or a natural talent? Why do you feel that way?
Both. Have you ever seen a three or four year old trying to get something they know they are not supposed to have, like one more piece of candy? Some of the best acting skills ever as they say they just want to try it and have a bunch of candy wrappers scattered around their feet.
I have seen some people who just get it and can intuitively act. Read their lines one or two times, take direction and simply perform beautifully.
I also know people who work very hard at their craft and combine skill and hard work in every performance. Testing accents for days while reading lines over and over and over again, each time with a new accent or emphasis on different words.
Next they try different voices for every character they play, once they decide on that, it’s the walk or a physical mannerism that creates their character. Then it’s time to establish a look based on the clothing or the shoes or the hair style or color or the jewelry selection. This process can easily take weeks or months if they have it in the schedule. As an observer, this is sometimes a fun process to observe, as a quilter I can relate to our process of auditioning fabric and patterns before making a quilt.
I firmly believe that it is a combination of all these things that create those award winning roles we love to see performed. Do you go through an editing process when writing, keeping certain phrases or words and discarding others?
kathy70 