Most instances, particularly in movie, you can be solid as characters with an age vary near your individual. That stated, there are exceptions. For instance, some actors look a lot youthful or older than they really are, and reveals set in highschool routinely solid adults to play faculty college students.
Your character could have flash-forward or flashback scenes set sooner or later or previous when the crew opts to age you up or down with film make-up or CGI. And stay theatre gives much more leeway.
So how do you play an age that you just aren’t with out pushing or making a caricature of it? Listed here are some issues to remember.
Come From an Sincere Place
Most instances, for those who’re interested by taking part in an age, you’re pushing it. It’s going to really feel inauthentic and is among the largest errors individuals make when making an attempt to play ages. As a substitute of regarding your self with taking part in a particular age and bodily look, deal with taking part in the life experiences of your character.
Carrying the burden of accountability or trauma will age you up quicker than any variety of years you may deal with. Recovering a way of surprise, innocence, immaturity or angst will give your viewers the emotional cue of youth. However be sure that it comes from an trustworthy place. Your viewers will droop disbelief if they’ll join with you throughout emotional scenes.
Physicality is Key
To not be confused with bodily look, your bodily decisions will inform your viewers about your age earlier than you ever converse a line (the film make-up will come later). Small changes can go a great distance. Once more, it is a layer that may be knowledgeable by your character’s real-life experiences. Posture is a good place to begin. If you’re taking part in older, have your life experiences given you confidence and gravitas? Or has the burden of the world beat you down? For those who’re taking part in an aged character, a battle to do easy duties or a slowness in your motion are delicate nuances you possibly can convey to your efficiency. Take into consideration how aged individuals, children, adults and others in your character ages act in actual life and also you’ll get a way of the age vary of your character position.
Age will be greater than stooped shoulders. What areas of weak point, stiffness, or energy has your life wrought? If you’re taking part in youthful, is there a buoyancy born of innocence? Or does insecurity cave you in on your self? A discomfort with a rising physique will be informed by awkwardness, clumsiness, fidgeting or impulsivity of motion. Once more, these decisions must be drawn from the character relatively than really feel “placed on” and create emotional scenes that the viewers can join with.
Make Intentional Vocal Decisions When it Involves Your Character’s Age
Vocal decisions harmonize with physicality for a well-rounded character. When taking part in youthful, it may be tempting to right away pitch your voice up, however that isn’t the one indicator of youth. Speech patterns is usually a fantastic inform. You need to use tempo to inform the story of somebody who rushes into issues or is anxious to be heard. Slowing issues down might present the arrogance, knowledge or frailty of age for aged individuals. Introducing a slight gravel or vocal fry could make an enormous distinction within the age vary of your voice when coupled with different decisions in your character position.
Maintain Your Performances Delicate
Keep in mind that none of those decisions need to be excessive. Don’t overthink it. Begin with no matter feels most pure to you – discovering your character’s physicality, voice or backstory, and let the remaining be impressed from there. Finally, the viewers is extra concerned with seeing your general character growth. Inform the story of your character’s life and let that inform the remaining.
This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.
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Written by Rachel Frawley
