As a young actor, there were many aspects of filmmaking I wasn’t aware of. While I chalked this up to my age and inexperience, with so much information readily available I was quickly chastised by my acting coach when he asked me questions regarding the types of films.
I want you to tell me the difference between a horror film and a comedy.” He asked me. Smiling, I replied, “Well, the horror film features suspenseful elements designed to evoke a ‘scared’ response while comedies are light and designed to cultivate an air of happiness and laughter.
Although I was technically correct, my acting coach quickly responded, “No. There is no difference between a horror film and a comedy.” To say that I was confused was an understatement. Throughout the next several months, he began to teach me how all films (no matter the genre) are the same.
As a film actor, you must understand that while the storyline and characters of a film may vary, the actual process of filmmaking and acting are universal.
Understanding Similarities While Allocating for Differences
One of the most powerful messages that acting coach was able to distill within me is the notion that all films are the same, and they all have similarities; however, as an actor I must understand these similarities while simultaneously understanding the differences in the film.
When I say, “All films are the same,” I’m not referring to the storyline of a film, because that will obviously vary according to the production; however, the actual process of filming a movie is universal. All films undergo a similar process within preproduction, production and postproduction. While the minute details of a production can vary, the overall process is the same.
As a film actor you must approach every movie with similar fashion. You must approach the script with an analytical eye, delve into your character and understand the technical requirements of filming a movie. Once you have the technical aspects of filmmaking understood, you can walk onto any film set with the confidence of knowing what you’re doing.
