Actor
An actor (from the French acteur, from the Latin actor - performer; feminine - actress) is a professional performer of diverse roles in plays, films, commercials, and video clips. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in world artistic culture (see.
choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).
The profession of an actor is one of the most ancient. The shamans also staged performances for the entire tribe. As an art, acting originated in Ancient Greece and was considered very prestigious.
However, Medieval Europe considered the acting of actors to be demonic, and in Rus' it was even dangerous to be an actor. The Church persecuted actors, jesters, and buffoons. Church officials could destroy musical instruments, and performers could be beaten or imprisoned.
It was only during the Renaissance that attitudes towards acting changed.
The art of acting is constantly evolving. Until the beginning of the 20th century, stereotypes and one-dimensionality of characters and types prevailed in the acting. The revolution in the acting profession was carried out by the founder of the Moscow Art Theater K.S. Stanislavsky (1863 – 1938).
He is the creator of the famous acting system, the so-called Stanislavsky System, the purpose of which is to achieve maximum psychological authenticity in the acting of actors. Stanislavsky encouraged actors to feel what the hero feels, to experience genuine experiences in order to convey reliable emotions on stage.
For more than a hundred years, the famous acting system of Stanislavsky has been extremely popular in Russia and all over the world, and the phrase he expressed “I don’t believe it!” became winged.
Many are attracted by fame, wealth and an interesting life. However, few people understand how thorny the path to achieving their goal is, and no one can guarantee that you will succeed in this field.
There are so many graduates of theater universities, and only a small percentage of them become famous and highly paid actors. Young actors have to make a place for themselves in the sun, gradually earning fame.
There are, of course, lucky ones who were noticed and became famous overnight. For them, what they studied for and strived for will gradually begin to come true.
The basis of acting is the principle of transformation. This transformation can be external or internal. In the first case, the actor uses makeup, costumes, masks, develops intonation, facial expressions, and gestures.
In the second case, the actor needs to reveal the spiritual world of his hero, show his character, convey thoughts and experiences. An actor, regardless of his place of work, creates a certain artistic image and brings something of his own to the character, portraying him in his own way.
The main goal of any actor is the desire to influence the audience, to evoke in them a response, emotions, and feelings.
Required professional knowledge and skills
- artistry, ability to transform, get into character;
- knowledge of genre and role specifics;
- the ability to create an image from a verbal description;
- knowledge of psychology (in terms of facial expressions, speech characteristics, etc.);
- lack of fear of the stage, camera lens, audience;
- availability of musical and choreographic skills;
- impeccable articulation;
- literary abilities;
- creativity, sense of harmony, sense of rhythm, developed aesthetic and artistic taste;
- possession of stage presence (expressiveness, the ability to communicate naturally with partners on stage, the ability to attract the audience);
- the desire for continuous professional improvement.
Personal qualities
- good memory;
- observation;
- diligence, efficiency;
- physical endurance, patience;
- ability and desire to work in a team;
- creativity;
- responsibility;
- abstract thinking;
- oratorical skills;
- determination;
- self confidence;
- endurance to emotional stress;
- energy.
Description
Acting is based on the principle of transformation. In theory, there are two types of it:
- External transformation. In accordance with the script and the author's idea, the actor changes his appearance with the help of makeup, clothes, make-up, and masks. This is necessary for visual similarity with the character you are about to transform into. Actors change the way they speak, their gait, and even their habits. He does everything in order to convey to the viewer the features of his hero as much as possible.
- Internal transformation. Mere external resemblance is not enough to convey a character's character. The actor learns to think like his hero. To do this, he gets used to the role, adopting the habits and characteristics of the character. According to the script, he understands the essence of the role and completely transforms himself. Famous actors, for maximum resemblance, live the lives of their characters for several weeks in order to feel their feelings and experiences.
Usually, when preparing to play a role, actors use both types of impersonation, intelligently combining this art with artistry, charisma and precision of movements. It is these skills that allow the viewer to enjoy theatrical performances and new films.
What specialties to study?
- Artist of dramatic theater and cinema.
- Musical theater artist.
- Puppet theater artist.
- Variety and circus artist.
You should be careful when choosing a specialty, because the place of future work depends on it: theater, circus, puppet theater, cinema, opera, etc. But it should be remembered that they all provide basic skills in acting and stage writing, which will allow you to improve or change your qualifications.
Where to study
Almost every major city in our country has higher educational institutions that teach theater arts. The most famous and prestigious are:
- All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S. A. Gerasimov.
- Higher Theater School (Institute) named after. M.S. Shchepkin at the State Academic Maly Theater of Russia.
- Russian University of Theater Arts - GITIS.
- Theater Institute named after. Boris Shchukin at the State Academic Theater named after. Evgenia Vakhtangova.
- School-studio (institute) named after. Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko at the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov.
Having managed to pass the commission and enroll in one of these universities, you get a ticket to a successful acting career. These institutions provide hundreds of opportunities, it is important not to miss them and start your creative path.
What do you have to do at work and specializations?
Every day in an actor's life is quite difficult. It's not just about colorful parties and presentations. These are constant rehearsals and run-throughs. The actor perfects every movement, every line. Everything must be perfect from looks to intonation.
An actor's responsibilities include memorizing and subsequently reproducing large amounts of information. A true professional knows his text, every line perfectly and does not need prompters. An actor must constantly monitor his appearance.
Any appearance in society should be perfect.
The profession of an actor does not have a standardized schedule of weekdays and weekends. It's a 24/7 job. Only at first glance does it seem simple and easy. But when you get into the everyday life of an actor, you immediately understand that everything is not so simple.
Every day an actor creates a character. He completely transforms into his character, conveying its essence to the public. The main task is to provide an emotional appeal to the audience in order to provoke a response from the audience.
Who is this profession suitable for?
Acting is one of the most creative professions. A high level of creativity is one of the fundamental factors. The role performer must be self-confident and artistic. Acting in the theater or cinema requires maximum concentration, transformation, it is important that not a single movement looks irrational or ridiculous. After all, the viewer feels any falseness.
An actor must have excellent long-term memory. After all, you need to know the roles by heart. Diction should be clear and understandable to the viewer. So that every word sounds clear and sonorous, with appropriate intonation.
If you are an active, artistic person who feels confident in front of an audience, then you should try your hand at acting.
Demand
In Moscow or St. Petersburg, things are completely different. These are large cities in which theater life and the film industry are constantly developing and looking for new faces. Here you have every chance to prove yourself in the acting field.
How much do people working in this profession earn?
Acting fees can be outrageously large or small. It all depends on your experience. Beginning artists receive small incomes. The main thing is not to sit still and find ways to use your talent. It is important to have patience and you will definitely achieve success. If not in cinema or theater, then on stage as a presenter for sure. Earnings directly depend on employment.
Is it easy to get a job?
In order to get a job in your specialty, you need to go through a number of castings. The first stage is to submit an application for the role with a video of you reading a passage of poetry or prose. If the director likes the way you were able to convey emotions in an original and subtle way, then they will call you and invite you to an official audition.
During the audition, you will read text from the script. It is important to understand the essence of the character in a short period of time and bring it to life in front of the director. After looking through all the candidates, he will choose the best one.
In order to find a job, it is important to have talent, not just skills from university.
How does one usually build a career?
An actor's career usually begins with not very prestigious jobs. Usually they start with small theaters or work at festivals as artists or hosts. This type of work allows you to gain experience and hone the knowledge and skills acquired during your studies. It is important to learn how to put this into practice.
In order to get a job in more popular places, it is important to constantly attend castings. You will definitely be noticed at one of them.
Prospects for the profession
The profession of an actor in itself is considered a very prestigious craft. Artists who manage to achieve success receive quite large fees and the love of the audience. Prospects include getting leading roles in theaters and films. They give popularity and demand.
An actor can develop. Thus, many actors often become co-producers of films with their participation or retrain as production directors in order to become the creator of a picture, and not its episode.
