Professional Acting Exercise – Speaking with Conviction

Throughout my professional life as a stage and camera actor, I have encountered numerous acting coaches. While each of these professionals had unique approaches to character development and scene study, each coach had a universal rule – speaking each line with true conviction.

As an actor, you must perform a scene without bland and rehearsed delivery. This is only done when you are able to give each line weight and conviction. Think about it, when you speak with your friends, family, co-workers or teachers your words are fresh and full of purpose and conviction. As an actor, it is your duty to replicate this in a realistic manner.

The “Speaking with Conviction” acting exercise is used by professionals to help train their mind and vocal chords to delivery every line with true and heavy conviction.

Instructions

Gather two actors. Hand each actor a short (two to three minute) scene. Instruct the actors to review the scene, and beside each line of dialogue, instruct the actors to write out the purpose for this line. Because this can take a while, it is best to split up the entire class into pairs and allow the actors at least 10 minutes to outline their script.

For example:

Character 1: “Why are you here?”

Purpose: I must find out why he is in my apartment.

Character 2: “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Purpose: I must tell him before he shuts me out.

Character 1: “I don’t think I want to hear what you have to say.”

Purpose: I want to avoid this conversation.

Character 2: “Do you remember what your father told you before he died?”

Purpose: Intrigue him into wanting to hear me out.

Character 1: “Of course, I remember.”

Purpose: Show him I remember perfectly. I don’t want to hear this.”

As you can see, there is a true purpose behind every line of dialogue. When you understand this purpose, and write it out, you are able to deliver lines that are not empty and simply “said,” but are full of conviction and purpose.

After the actors have finished outlining their purpose for each line, allow the actors to perform their scene in front of the class.


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