4 Ways Out-of-Work Actors Can Practice Their Skills

Being an out-of-work actor is much like being a pro athlete during off season times. You will never see a pro athlete setting aside all the physical exercises and training that keep them in shape during their season in whatever sport they play. For pro athletes, staying in shape is something they work on every day of the week, every week of the month, and every month of the year.

It’s hard to bounce back when the season starts if their muscles, agility, and speed have deteriorated for lack of exercise. The same holds true for actors between parts. You can’t allow yourself to forget what it feels like to step into the mind and body of the character you are asked to play. Following are four ways actors can practice their skills between gigs.

1. Practice Reading Scripts

One of the mistakes many actors make is to practice reading a part in a script they see themselves playing. Just because that’s the kind of part you are comfortable with, doesn’t mean a director won’t see you playing a character type you’ve never been called to play. For example, many actors who have always played in comedies or romances are astonished when they are approached to play in a drama. Get your hands on as many scripts as you can, whether they’ve already been produced or not, and read the parts of various characters in that particular work.

2. Film Yourself Reading Various Parts

Another thing you can do is film yourself reading those scripts. Sometimes it’s hard to ‘see’ what the audience sees and experiences when you are busy just trying to get your lines right with the right emotional overtones. By filming yourself, you can step back and pretend that is someone else you are watching. You just might be amazed that what you are seeing is not what you were trying to portray.

An extra advantage of this is that you can always use this on social media to promote your work as you practice your skills. People love seeing the evolution of people and this might even bring in the attention of someone who could offer a role.

3. Immerse Yourself in Role Playing

Role playing is actually what acting is all about, so why not join a few online groups and games that base their gaming strategy on playing various roles? There are many, many multi-player games you can enjoy while keeping your role-playing techniques sharp. As an actor you just might have an advantage over other gamers because you’ve made it your life’s work to play a role. There are even sites like Jerkmate.com that are built around role playing online with other members playing other parts in the role-playing experience.

4. Work with an Acting Coach

Depending on where you live, there is probably an acting coach you would work with. Many universities have drama departments where you can find a professor who coaches actors on the side. While they may never have been on stage or in a film, they are experts in the field of what it takes to make a part believable.

Some actors also take up mindfulness training so that they learn to be present in the moment. This is something that seasoned actors have down to a science and something that will help you get in touch with the emotion you are trying to call forth so that you are the character you are trying to play.

On the whole, the trick is to keep doing things even if you do not have a role. There are always things you can do to improve your skills and get better.