Most instances, particularly in movie, you’ll be solid as characters with an age vary near your personal. That mentioned, 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 college 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 offers much more leeway.
So how do you play an age that you simply aren’t with out pushing or making a caricature of it? Listed here are some issues to bear in mind.
Come From an Sincere Place
Most instances, if you happen to’re serious about enjoying an age, you’re pushing it. It’s going to really feel inauthentic and is among the greatest errors individuals make when trying to play ages. As an alternative of regarding your self with enjoying a particular age and bodily look, deal with enjoying the life experiences of your character.
Carrying the load of duty or trauma will age you up quicker than any variety of years you would deal with. Recovering a way of surprise, innocence, immaturity or angst will give your viewers the emotional cue of youth. However make certain it comes from an sincere place. Your viewers will droop disbelief if they will join with you throughout emotional scenes.
Physicality is Key
To not be confused with bodily look, your bodily selections 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 superb place to start out. In case you are enjoying older, have your life experiences given you confidence and gravitas? Or has the load of the world beat you down? If you happen to’re enjoying an aged character, a battle to do easy duties or a slowness in your motion are refined nuances you’ll be able to carry 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 function.
Age will be greater than stooped shoulders. What areas of weak point, stiffness, or power has your life wrought? In case you are enjoying 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 selections needs to be drawn from the character somewhat than really feel “placed on” and create emotional scenes that the viewers can join with.
Make Intentional Vocal Selections When it Involves Your Character’s Age
Vocal selections harmonize with physicality for a well-rounded character. When enjoying youthful, it may be tempting to instantly pitch your voice up, however that isn’t the one indicator of youth. Speech patterns is usually a fantastic inform. You should 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 selections in your character function.
Hold Your Performances Delicate
Keep in mind that none of those selections should 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 remainder be impressed from there. Finally, the viewers is extra interested by seeing your general character growth. Inform the story of your character’s life and let that inform the remainder.
This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.
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Written by Rachel Frawley