So many of today’s films have tons of technology. This can be extremely cost efficient (for instance when you use a blue or green screen to put you on the moon or any other exotic location) but it also means that more and more, everything is ruled by technology which puts huge demands on an actor’s concentration. Annette Bening says “You have to be ready when they are”. But how you get yourself “there” before its time to shoot your scene will depend on what kind of actor you are. Every one is different. Some like to goof around with their co-stars while others need to stay in the “zone”, still another person my have to go off by themselves entirely. The important thing is to know what works for you because when the moment comes you need to be ready to connect to everything that’s important: the other characters, your subtext and your objectives.
“I remember hearing someone say, that good acting is more about taking off a mask than putting one on, and in movie acting, certainly that’s true. With the camera so close, you can see right down into your soul, hopefully. So being able to do that in a way is terrifying, and in another way, truly liberating. And I like that about it”.
Annette Bening
Do you have any special techniques that help you stay focused when technology is getting in your way?