BOLD CHOICES
Making Bold Choices Without Overacting
How to stand out without going over the top
When actors hear the phrase “make a bold choice,” it can stir up some confusion. To many, it means being louder, more dramatic, or more noticeable than everyone else. But in truth, a bold choice isn’t about volume or exaggeration—it’s about clarity, commitment, and truth. It’s about doing something specific that serves the scene and showcases your understanding of the character.
Great actors make bold choices that feel natural, real, and grounded. These choices aren’t random or flashy. They come from an actor who has done the work to understand the world of the script, the emotional landscape of the character, and the tone of the project.
In this blog, we’ll explore what it really means to make a bold choice—and how to do it without crossing the line into overacting.
🎯 Start with the Story
Every bold choice begins with a strong understanding of the story. Before you even think about how to perform the scene, ask yourself:
What is the tone of the project? (Comedy? Drama? Thriller?)
Where does the scene fall in the script?
What just happened before this moment?
What does my character want?
What’s at stake if they don’t get it?
Let the answers guide your creative decisions. For example, a bold choice in a Nickelodeon comedy looks very different from a bold choice in an HBO drama. If the tone is grounded, then your choices need to be, too. The biggest mistake actors make is choosing something that doesn’t match the world of the story.
🗺️ Stay Grounded in Truth
Even if the character is heightened or eccentric, your performance must come from an emotionally honest place. You need to believe the words you’re saying. Boldness doesn’t mean turning your emotional dial up to 100—it means being deeply connected to what’s happening in the moment.
Truth makes bold choices land. When actors push too hard—yelling without cause, crying on cue with no build-up, or making choices just to be "different"—it reads as forced. Instead, be bold by being honest. What is your character feeling? Why are they making that choice? And how can you bring that to life in a way that serves the story?
🎨 Use Contrast Instead of Volume
One of the most powerful tools in acting is contrast. Instead of playing every emotion at a 10, explore the dynamic range of the scene. A character who begins a scene seemingly calm but ends in panic gives a far more compelling performance than someone who starts loud and stays there.
Silence can be bold. Stillness can be bold. Restraint can be just as powerful as action. Think about using unexpected moments—a pause, a breath, a shift in tone—to create tension and depth. Audiences don’t respond to volume; they respond to change.
📌 Own Your Decision
Once you make a choice, own it fully. A half-committed choice often feels awkward, confusing, or unmotivated. But a fully committed choice—even if it surprises the viewer—comes off as intentional and specific.
Commitment is key. That’s why preparation matters so much. Know why you’re doing what you’re doing. The stronger your reasoning, the more natural your performance will be. If you're second-guessing yourself mid-scene, it will show.
🛠️ Practice with Constraints
Sometimes the best way to discover bold, grounded choices is to place limitations on yourself.
Try this: rehearse your scene in a whisper. No gestures, no shouting, just you and the words. This forces you to connect emotionally without relying on big, obvious actions. Then try performing it using only your eyes. These exercises help you internalize the emotion and discover how subtle changes in energy and focus can transform a scene.
This teaches you that boldness can come from within—from your intention, your presence, and your connection.
🎭 Let the Character Drive the Boldness—Not You
Sometimes actors make bold choices just to stand out. They’ll add a wild physicality, an unexpected accent, or shift the tone of a scene just to be memorable. But if your character wouldn’t do that—don’t.
Bold choices are about specificity, not novelty. If your choice distracts from the story or confuses the scene’s intention, it doesn’t serve you or the character. Ask yourself: is this a bold choice for the character or is this something I want to do to be different? The best acting always puts the character and story first.
🔮 Exercise: "The Whisper Scene"
Take any scene you’re working on and run it three different ways:
Whisper only – Deliver every line in a whisper. This forces you to connect emotionally and let your facial expressions do the talking.
Eyes only – Say the lines in your head, but focus on communicating everything with your eyes and breath.
Contrast pass – Choose one line to shift your energy—go from calm to urgent, soft to firm, etc. Explore how subtle shifts create more interesting scenes.
This helps you find moments of grounded boldness without pushing. When you return to the scene normally, you’ll find it richer and more layered.
Final Thoughts
Actors who book don’t make big choices—they make strong ones. A strong choice is clear, specific, and grounded in the truth of the story. Bold doesn’t mean loud. It means precise, thoughtful, and committed.
So the next time you hear "make a bold choice", don’t reach for the most dramatic move. Instead, ask: What would my character do in this moment? What’s honest? What serves the story best? That’s where the magic lives.