While contemplating this article, my mind began to wander throughout the past decade of my work as an actor, casting director and screenwriter. Throughout this time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented individuals in the entertainment industry, and while each of these actors has a unique acting style there was one thing every performer had in common – they knew how to translate true drama through their eyes.
Acting in a dramatic film or stage play can be tricky, as many actors believe they can deliver a dramatic scene or monologue by simply adding inflections within their voice; however, giving a truly believable performance full of conviction and realism requires far more than utilizing your vocal chords.
I want to you to think about some of the great dramatic films of our time. The performances in these films are cultivated throughout years of training and expert talent; however, each actor was able to convey true drama by supporting the drama of a situation within their eyes.
It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and in a dramatic scene your soul is almost crying out due to the angst of a situation. Because of this, it is vital to use your eyes as a foundation for the raw emotions being expressed verbally. Throughout my experience, I have gathered several tips to help teach both beginner and advanced actors how to use their eyes within a dramatic scene.
The Silent Emotion
Dramatic acting is far more than reciting a few lines with emotion behind your voice. True emotion is a multi-faceted phenomenon. Think about the last time you saw someone who was truly in distress. Not only was his voice conveying this emotion, but his eyes showcased the true pain or aggravation he was feeling. When you’re prepping for a dramatic role, after you’ve memorized your lines, stand in front of a mirror and recite the lines internally – that is, don’t actually say the words out loud. Try to convey the emotion of what your character is saying through your eyes. This can take some time to master; however, once you have a solid grasp on this type of emotional show, you’ll soon be on your way to delivering a believable and realistic performance.
Internal Subtext
Subtext is a word that is commonly used in acting circles, as this term refers to the underlying conversations. Think about it, whenever you’re holding a conversation with a friend or family member, you’re holding an additional conversation in your head. You’re thinking words and emotions that you don’t verbally say. This is known as subtext. To deliver a truly sincere and convincing performance, you must involve subtext within your performance. Using subtext while acting in a dramatic scene or delivering a dramatic monologue will help show conflict, desire, hurt and other emotions within your eyes.