There’s an interesting dichotomy in just about any acting situation (aside from improv): you’re following a written script, yet you’re supposed to look/sound unrehearsed.
How do you pull that off?
While I have very little formal acting training, I feel like I do fairly well in many situations, but I still struggle in many others. For me, it’s actually a fun challenge figuring out how to stay present/in-the-moment/real/grounded, and it was great to read Anthony Meindl’s thoughts on the subject on Backstage.com. Whether you’re on a stage, in front of a camera, or behind a mic, staying present is vital to creating a believable, engaging performance.
How do you stay present?