Acting : Letting go and being in the moment by Krassimira Belev

Krassimira Belev this is a very pertinent question as it is often on my mind: in acting and in life for that matter. I agree it is the hardest bit. As well as doing the work and being relaxed it is about challenging a sneaky 'not good enough' belief that can pop up and make me want to 'prove' myself rather than trust. So challenging belief helps. I was also taught to be aware of my body sensations to stay in the moment. When i'm fully in the moment then i'm not in my head. Additionally I try to be as present and connected to my scene partner as possible which also helps me to let go. Interested to hear what others have to say on this.....

Exactly! It’s the inner critic sneaking in… I love the idea of concentrating on the body sensations. I find that also focusing on a simple action helps, too. Yes, the scene partner and really listening to what they’re saying and how. “Simply let go” - sounds so easy, yet not simple at all.

I find that, be it on camera or on stage, the sooner the script is out of your hands, the better. But... as a student and teacher of improv, I love taking a rehearsal and improving scenes in character with your fellow actors. Helps you live in the skin without the confines of blocking and lines. The character becomes more organic and more real.

Matt Otstot agree! I love improv! You discover so much about the character. It’s so freeing and there’s no expectations to fulfill.

Krassimira Belev yes, focussing on a simple action is also a good tip!

I have a similar problem, I sometimes get way too into the script, analyze and maybe overthink about how it should be done or how it would look more real that I forget that it should be me living that situation, not me faking it, so I'm learning how to let go a little more of the structure and surroundings, letting the instinct and feelings take over, we know the words and situation, I think the best way to let go is to live it, let yourself be and feel the situation you are in.

Saraí Dorado totally! Also I think remembering that it’s a process and similar to life - sometimes it feels amazing and you’re really in it, sometimes not so much.

Hi Krassimira Belev! Film and TV acting is such a different animal from acting on the stage. First off, for either, Matt is correct. It's so important to have the foundation locked in where you know the material inside and out, and much like writing, know the intention of the moment.

I've done both on-camera and theatre acting (not nearly enough, of either, of course!), but for me, at least, being able to live in the moment has always been easier on stage. Once the curtain goes up, there's no resetting for close-ups, make-up's not coming in to fix your hair, no clapper boards in your face. it's just you, your partner, and the words. I've always considered the proscenium to be that magical line between me and the audience. My world vs. their world. I know the material, I know how my character got in this moment, and where he's going.

Michael Caine had a really entertaining and informative video in the 80s called "Acting in Film,' (I'm pretty sure it's on YouTube, and worth a look), where he instructed students, technically, how to act on camera. One of his points that always stuck with me was, "The theatre is an operation with the scalpel, I think movie acting is an operation with the laser."

Sure, on stage in service for the material as well as your fellow actor, you have to hit your marks, deliver your lines, and hopefully have created a connection with the other actors as well as the audience. If you step an inch closer to your scene partner on stage, it's probably fine, and no one will notice.

If you step an inch closer to your scene partner when you're in close-up on a film, you end up out of focus, and we have to reset, go back to one, and you feel that impostor syndrome because "real" actors know how to hit their marks. :)

All this is to say that film and TV, for me, is performing for the camera. That's your audience's POV. In addition to not just knowing your lines, but believing them, you also have to hit that mark every time, keep the continuity from one take to the next, even if it's dozens, unless, of course, the director, or a producer, or somebody from the studio wants you to try something "different."

On camera, I've always tried to compartmentalize into two different Steves. One is the actor, the other is the tactician, and I try to flip a mental toggle switch to go back and forth. Sort-of like in The Avengers when Dr. Banner turns into the Hulk at will because he's "always angry." :)

As actors, we're always bifurcated. With practice, it gets easier to flip that switch, walk through that door, cross that line in the sand, or whatever other euphemism you come up with to visualize the difference between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

On camera, you have to trust the process, and trust yourself. Every single person from your scene partner, to the director, to the Teamster who's driving you home, are pulling for you.

The answer Krassimira Belev you said it. "being relaxed and well prepared." Knowing your lines, your cues, your objectives and really listening and being connected to your scene partner is the key. I am nervous right until I walk onstage and then it's like instincts take over. I'm not thinking, I'm listening. On camera acting is a different animal, I agree Steven Kirk . Again, though being connected to your scene partner blocks out the cameras. "Cut" will take you out of the moment, but if you know your lines, jumping right back in is no problem. Breath, focus on the moment before and your partner and it will come to you. For me, I know I was successful when I don't remember doing something.

Suzanne Bronson thank you! I agree! I totally relate with the part about not remembering!

Thank you Steven Kirk! Yes, definitely different things to be mindful of on stage and on camera!

This is such a thoughtful question, Krassimira Belev, and one so many actors can relate to. Letting go and fully living in the moment is often where the real magic happens, but getting there takes trust, both in yourself and the work you’ve done.

Friends of mine who are performers have told me that physical grounding helps tremendously. Simple breath work, body scans, or even just feeling your feet on the floor before stepping into the scene can shift you into presence. They’ve also shared that having a strong connection to their scene partner’s objective can pull them out of their head and into the relationship, making it easier to stay in the moment.

Thank you for the wonderful advice, Ashley Renee Smith!