How to Become a Good Actor

If you want to be a good actor, you must be willing to invest in your training. Besides the academic training, you also might learn other disciplines, read a lot and seek information on various subjects.

You might wonder if a good actor is born or it can be made. The skilled actor who played a role in the movie 13 Ghosts, Mark N Tompkins, gives an answer to this question. “Starting from the idea that the person is born with a natural capacity for acting, it is important to remember that in order to be successful in any field, 10% is talent and 90% is work. And that's it, if you don’t work to develop your talent, you will not increase your potential. Something you don’t use it, you will lose it” - says Mark.

In fact, a fundamental characteristic of an actor must be the strong willpower. This is because acting is a difficult profession, since it is not a stable occupation, in most cases. The history of cinema and television is full of examples of great actors who were discovered quite late because they had no luck in the castings. Therefore, you must be prepared to face rejection without losing your motivation.

Training is a key point. However, there are cases of actors who have not gone through a school. It is desirable for an actor to study in order to enrich himself with methods and techniques. In addition to building an acting career, it is very positive to take short courses and attend workshops, especially if they are led by prestigious artists.

Apart from the acting techniques, the aspiring actor must aim to have a comprehensive education, so it is priceless to learn to dance and sing, for example. In addition, these skills can help you even to gain a great role. Taking into account that the actor is trained in various disciplines, he learns to extract the best from his physical and mental possibilities, being able to perform a better interpretation work.

Training is not just about learning techniques, but also about investing in knowledge. And here Mark N Tompkins does not speak only of knowledge directly related to the profession: all types of knowledge and learning are valid, because the more information and data one has in mind, the greater will be its expressive and creative capacities. Therefore, it is necessary to read a lot: books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, online articles, and publications. Try to always be in an insatiable search for knowledge.

Besides the rational side, cultivate your sensitive side. A good actor, by nature, must have a sensitivity to capture and absorb what is around him and translate it into a solid and credible acting work. Be passionate: you must have a passion for what you do. It does not matter if it is a big or small role, whether it is from big production or a short amateur. You must fall in love with your character, give it all in the performance and do your best work possible. “That will give another nuance on the screen or on the stage. Believe me, it will be noticed” - says Mark N Tompkins.

Another important point is to be modest. You can be a great actor, but if you do not have humility you will end up stalling, believing that you are "too good" or that you have nothing left to learn. Listen a lot to your teachers, directors or colleagues. All of them can have interesting things to teach you. Do not act like a star, but as an artist that is always willing to learn.

“You should also immerse yourself in everything that surrounds your character. If it's a doctor, it's a good idea to talk with one, to visit a hospital, to read about related topics and, mainly, observe. In fact, observation is fundamental to the actor's work. Also, make sure to talk to the director about what you are looking for and also to observe all the work that is done behind the scenes” - advises N Tompkins.

"Being an actor is not a simple profession, it is an art." - says Mark.

Finally, always try to be punctual at the time of the rehearsals and at the time of filming or staging. Try to arrive before the scheduled time, take the opportunity to chat with the people from the production and show yourself always willing to repeat a scene or make a new review of the text, no matter how tired you are. That will take you to the next level and help you be a better actor and help you to turn your work from good to excellent.