Nonverbal communication is often overlooked and underdeveloped in Young Actors
There is a lot we do not say in conversation. In fact, there are statistics that show that 65% of what we understand in conversation is in the nonverbal realm. Proving that layers are needed to make a scene realistic, nuanced and engaging.
There is a good video by An Actor’s Playhouse where Stella Damasus breaks this down.
In this video, the Stella discusses the importance of nonverbal acting and why it's essential for actors to master it. Many people believe nonverbal acting is just about not speaking, but it's more complicated than that. She provides tips on how to process what's going on in the moment when you don't have any lines, how to listen and hear what the other actor is saying, and how to react to the information being given.
Here are five key takeaways:
Nonverbal acting is important and requires as much effort as delivering lines: Nonverbal acting is more than just looking at the other actor while they speak. It involves processing information, emotions, and reactions in real-time while also considering the character's motivations and traits. Good nonverbal acting requires an actor to stay engaged and active even while not speaking. Stella gave an example of how editors love giving screen time to actors who are not speaking but have strong expressions and reactions to what is happening in the scene.
2. Listening and hearing are different: In acting, it is essential to distinguish between listening and hearing. Hearing is simply processing sound, but listening is understanding what is being said and responding to it. Good listening means that the actor is fully engaged in the conversation, processing not only the words but also the meaning, subtext, and context. This helps the actor understand their character's motivations and reactions.
3. Process the feeling and meaning behind the words: As an actor, it is crucial to process the emotions and meanings behind the words spoken by the other actor. This requires the actor to ask themselves what the information means to them, how it makes them feel, and what they should do about it. She gave the example of an actor being told they are being fired. The actor should process the information and react to it accordingly, showing their confusion or worry through their body language and facial expressions.
4. Scene breakdown is essential: Actors need to understand the scene's theme and what is happening in the scene. This helps the actor to contextualize their reactions, emotions, and body language. The video suggested that actors should ask themselves what type of scene they are in, what the other actor is saying, and how they should react based on their character's traits and motivations.
5. Inner monologue and inner dialogue are crucial: Actors should have an inner monologue or dialogue, depending on their character's traits. An inner monologue is a conversation that the actor is having with themselves, while an inner dialogue is a conversation between two parts of the actor's mind. Stella suggested that actors should know their character's traits, motivations, and backstory to be able to create an appropriate inner monologue or dialogue.
Stella talked about the difference between listening and hearing, she used the example of an actor who memorizes their cue and begins speaking immediately without listening to the other actor's words. This highlights the importance of listening and reacting to what is being said, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.
Similarly, when discussing the need to process the meaning and emotions behind the words spoken by the other actor, the speaker gave the example of an actor being fired. She explained that the actor should process this information and react accordingly, rather than just waiting for their turn to speak.
By understanding their character's motivations and traits, and by processing the emotions and meanings behind the words spoken by the other actor, actors can create a more dynamic and engaging performance.
Nonverbal acting is essential in creating dynamic and believable characters. Stella stresses the importance of scene breakdown and understanding the theme of a scene. The goal is to get the audience to feel what the character is feeling, and that can't be done with fake reactions. She also encourages actors to continue training and to keep reading blogs and watching videos to improve their craft.
FAQ:
Q: What is nonverbal acting?
A: Nonverbal acting is the art of conveying emotions, thoughts, and ideas through body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues.
Q: Why is nonverbal acting important?
A: Nonverbal acting is important because it helps actors create dynamic and believable characters. It also allows them to convey emotions and ideas that may not be expressed through dialogue.
Q: How can actors improve their nonverbal acting skills?
A: Actors can improve their nonverbal acting skills by training, practicing, and studying the craft. They can also work on their listening skills and understanding the theme of a scene.
This video is by Stella Damasus who is a Nigerian born entertainer based in the United States of America. She is most notable for her work as an actress has been in the Entertainment Industry for over two decades and has since been considered to be one of the most popular film actresses from Africa.
In 2016 she launched An Actors Playhouse in the USA, which was set up to be a platform where actors can talk about acting, the actors' life, tips, casting, auditions, methods, resources, events and can be professionally trained.
My Thoughts
As an experienced performer and acting coach, I can attest to the importance of mastering nonverbal acting. It's not just about memorizing lines and delivering them convincingly. It's about embodying the character and reacting in a way that's true to them. Nonverbal acting is what separates good actors from great actors. It's a skill that takes practice and dedication to master, but it's worth it in the end. So, if you're an actor, don't overlook the importance of nonverbal acting.
Are you a young actor looking to elevate your craft and stand out from the crowd? Do you want to learn how to use nonverbal communication to create dynamic, layered performances for television and film? Then you won't want to miss our upcoming online acting class, "Nonverbal Acting," taught by myself at Ingenuity Actors Studio.
