Over Acting: What Were You Thinking?

Ever witness over-acting?” Ever been the over actor? It’s painful. Overacting is the process by which an actor forces emotion to convey something, rather then trusting the audiences’ own interpretation. However, the audience is not paying to be spoon-fed; they are paying to observe and decide for themselves. Actors are required to think on stage as their character, not as themselves. Therefore, it is unnecessary to force one’s thought process followed by cliché actions. Real thinking happens before, during and after an action is preformed. I don’t scratch my head to show, “I am thinking.” That is overacting. I scratch my head because “I have an itch.” I don’t put my hands on my head to show, “I am really thinking.” I put my hands on my head because “I have a piercing headache.” Remember, people are thinking every second of the day: while they are talking, listening, moving and not moving. It is very important to create a fourth wall to block the audience and other non-related thoughts from your characters mind before you enter the stage. This will help your characters thoughts alone to be present. For example, if you are playing a character and your “sweetheart” is watching you in the audience, your desire or thoughts may interfere with your performance and prove dishonest, destroying your character. Instead, your character must use past inner objects, other events, and relationships on stage to spark his or her thoughts just like those factors would in real life. Listen to those thoughts and recognize the thoughts your character would perform. Give your character the freedom and clarity of mind by separating your thoughts from theirs and allowing them to think with fluidity, to influence their actions, not planned thoughts.

-Don’t over act. Think truthfully. –Actors Nook Team