Advice for Actors – Actor Artist Design Blog For the Digital Actor

Having worked as an actor myself, over the past seven years, I just wanted to pass along one of the best pieces of advice I ever received. It is scary – how much of an epiphany it was, and how basic it should be.

While taking an acting class at a great private studio in NYC, the teacher asked how many students owned a camera. Only about half of the class raised their hands. I was immediately embarrassed because I knew where this was going, and I had not raised my hand.

The teacher pointed out the obvious; athletes have to practice, even outside of dedicated learning. Why did all of us feel we were not obligated to practice, outside of class? We wanted to be professional performers and half of us didn’t even own the basic piece of equipment that captures our work. Less than 24 hours later, I owned a camera and I can’t believe it took that long to realize I needed one.

Not only does the camera help you work alone, when you have no partner, it helps you understand many small details. For instance; taking frame.

Taking frame refers to the small ‘lean in’ powerful actors know about – and keep secret. When you want a moment of strength, and the dialogue makes sense to use it, if you understand where you are in the frame (lens of the camera) – lean in and you will fill more of the frame, consequently – ‘taking frame.’ As long as you are certain you aren’t going out of focus (and a quick word to the DP or camera operator will help them adjust), this technique is an awesome tool.

Work on it with the camera you already own! Don’t own one yet? Buy one, and try it out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jason Small
Business Development Manager
Actor Artist Design, a division of Great Young Minds, LLC

*Jason has worked as an actor in New York City for seven years appearing on All My Children, As The World Turns, Guiding Light, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Good Morning America, at Radio City Music Hall, in the New York Fringe Festival, and in many more productions. He has more than 15 independent films to his credit, and has managed an acting studio for a celebrity in NYC, and served as Marketing Director for one of the top casting websites in the New York market. Jason owns and operates Great Young Minds, LLC, a graphic and web design company servicing the entertainment industry, with offices in New York City.