What are the Differences Between Acting on Stage and on Film?

For many actors, 

Most actors have had the thought of wanting to do both live acting and camera acting. Understanding the differences between stage acting and on-camera acting is important, especially if you want to concentrate on one of these fields in acting. Acting agencies in New York City commonly take in people who have talent in both stage and film acting.

But what to choose? It can be difficult to determine what field you want develop your acting skills in. Here are three things to consider when choosing.

Acting Environment

In theater productions, scenes and locations are designed by set designers and artists, who are tasked to put up grand backdrops that are changed or used alternately for appropriate scenes. This usually happens when the curtains go down.

When it comes to theater, the location and scenes are designed by artists and set designers who create elaborate backdrops that are rotated and changed when the curtains go down as the show goes on. Since the performances are confined within the stage, the complexity and number of sets are limited, which can place a heavier burden on the actors to portray the story.

With film acting, the sets are shot in real locations or green screens. Everything from music to special effects can be added after filming. Actors can get more comfortable with their environment and can even afford to make a mistake or two.

Cut!

With onstage acting, you’re only given one shot to deliver your performance. You have to say your lines perfectly and give out all your emotions on that scene. Any mistakes can be seen by the live audience and the show must go on no matter what. Your next chance for redemption will be on the next show.

In film, these mistakes can be altered and fixed by retaking the scene. Some directors would even ask the actors to create multiple takes to choose a better shot.

Delivery

Cameras can easily zoom in to capture the slightest gestures in movies. You don’t have to exaggerate your expressions, voice and actions to get the scene right. Stage acting, however, is a different story. Even if you have a lapel microphone to help the audience hear you, your actions are not as clear to the people sitting on the very back of the audience. You will have to project your acting skills in a dramatic and animated way.

When you sign up for acting agencies in New York, they’ll first ask you if you have experience in film or stage acting. It’s worth pointing out that the best actors we see today first started out on stage, so it’s always a good idea to develop stage acting skills.