“Specific” Acting Choices
What Is an Acting Choice?
Actors are constantly told to “make a choice.”
But what does that actually mean?
A strong acting choice isn't necessarily the biggest or most dramatic interpretation. It gives you something specific and playable—something you can actively pursue within the circumstances of the scene.
It is your interpretation of what your character wants and what they're doing to get it.
In addition to deciding how your character feels, focus on what they're trying to accomplish.
For example, when you think:
“My character is sad.”
Try:
“I'm doing everything I can to convince this person not to leave me.”
The first describes an emotion. The second gives you an objective and something to do.
Your Choice Has to Fit the Circumstances
A choice shouldn't exist just because it sounds interesting.
Your interpretation needs to make sense within the character, relationships, circumstances, and information in the scene.
You can make a bold choice, but if it isn't supported by what's happening in the story, it can pull the audience out of the moment.
The goal isn't to invent something different just to stand out.
It's to find something specific that helps you accomplish what your character needs to accomplish.
Choices Can Change
A scene isn't one emotion or one objective from beginning to end.
As the other person responds, something may change. You may begin by trying to convince someone to stay. When they refuse, your approach might shift to making them feel guilty.
Then, if that doesn't work, you may become desperate, defensive, or decide to let them go.
Listen, respond, and allow the scene to affect you.
Active vs. Passive Choices
A passive choice describes what the character is feeling or experiencing.
An active choice describes what the character is trying to accomplish.
Passive:
“I’m sad.”
“I’m angry.”
“I’m nervous.”
“I’m intimidated.”
Active:
“I’m trying to make her stay.”
“I’m trying to make him feel guilty.”
“I’m trying to hide that I’m scared.”
“I’m trying to get him to back down.”
Active choices give you something to work towards, keeping your attention on the other person and the circumstances rather than trying to demonstrate an emotion.
If you are thinking:
“I need to look angry.”
Try:
“I need to make this person understand how badly they've hurt me.”
Now you're actively trying to affect someone. The emotion can become a result of what is happening rather than something you have to manufacture.
The Goal Isn't to Make the "Right" Choice
There isn't always one perfect interpretation of a scene.
Different actors can make completely different choices and still create compelling performances.
The important thing is that your choice is specific, active, connected to the circumstances, and playable.
The goal isn't to find the most interesting choice.
It's to find a choice that gives you something real to play.
Put Your Choices Into Practice
Knowing the right questions to ask can make it much easier to find specific, active choices when you're working on a scene or audition.
That's why we use our proprietary acting worksheets in our classes at Actorsite. They help actors break down their characters, objectives, relationships, circumstances, and actions so they can make choices that are specific, playable, and grounded in the scene.
Explore our Coaching, Kids/Teens and Adults training options to learn more.
And remember, the strongest choice isn't always the biggest choice. It's the one that gives you something real to pursue.