MTH6C006R-001 23085731 Specialist Skills
Moving on into the third year of my Musical Theatre studies I now have the opportunity to develop additional specialist skills to broaden my knowledge which will give me the best possible chance of employment in my professional career. The core of the specialist skills module is Acting for Camera, which will focus on the role of the actor and the technicalities, diverse performance styles and creativity needed to be effective on camera. In addition to this I was also required to choose an additional specialist skill from either advanced dance, stage combat or actor creator. This would enable me to focus on enhancing my skills in one of these specific areas rather than always having to focus purely on musical theatre.
At the start of our Acting for Camera sessions we first looked at what life as a screen actor may involve. This will include a blend of dedication to your craft, good communication, self-promotion, hard work and sometimes luck. A glimpse into the daily life of an actor could be made up of many things. Actors will often attend multiple auditions a week or may have lean spells where there are none. This can be a stressful time waiting to hear if you will be offered a part with the pressure of maybe not hearing back for a long time. Keeping resilient and being persistent are key to being a success. You need to keep your skills up to date and relevant by actively looking to attend workshops, masterclasses and the use of acting coaches to keep updated with industry trends. Once rehearsals start these can be physically intense with lots of movement and interaction which are crucial for bringing your character to life. While working an actor’s day often begins early and before shooting you need to be prepared both physically and mentally. Getting into a daily routine will help with the long hours on set as will looking after your wellbeing and staying physically and mentally fit. While the details may vary depending on the actor and the project, the key to any successful acting day is dedication and the willingness to continuously evolve. The journey of an actor is not just about the fame, glamour and glitz; it’s about the journey of self-discovery, the pursuit of excellence, and the realisation that every role, no matter how small, is a stepping stone to a larger career.
To be an effective screen actor you first need to understand the differences between play and screen scripts. A script is a general term for any written document that includes dialogue and instructions used in performance media, including plays, radio shows and video games. Scripts can vary widely in format and content depending on the subject and purpose. The focus is more on dialogue and stage directions, with minimal visual descriptions. It also may not adhere to strict formatting rules and can vary significantly based on the type of performance.
A screenplay is a specific type of script that is designed for film or television. It outlines the story, characters, dialogue, and character actions in a detailed manner, serving as a blueprint for the production team. It is specifically crafted for visual storytelling, it includes detailed descriptions of scenes, camera angles, and transitions, making it essential for film and television production. It follows industry standard formatting guidelines, which include specific margins, font sizes, and spacing to ensure clarity for directors, actors, and crew. There is also extensive visual elements, including settings, character actions, and technical details that guide the filming process.
Many of our favourite screenwriters started out as playwrights and their successful transition from theatre to film still results in them creating stories to be told by actors and watched by an audience. But a great play doesn’t necessarily make a great movie and vice versa. In fact, some stories are really meant to be told by actors live on stage, while other stories are only achievable on film. A screenplay is a specialised form of script tailored for the visual storytelling of film and television, while a script can refer to any written document for performance across different media.
Many of our most famous actors started out as stage actors then made the switch to television and film. I feel that my existing stage acting skills helped a lot when transitioning to acting for the camera. Acting is acting whether you are on stage or in front of a camera, but I found that there were key differences in the process, the environment and the scripts. Film sets can be chaotic places presenting several challenges. For one, you will receive very little, if any, rehearsal time. For another, depending on the size of the role, you may not receive any direction. Production companies hire actors under the assumption that they will come to set performance ready. Once the actor is on set and ready, the focus shifts to the core of their day: shooting scenes. This part of the day can vary greatly depending on the project. For TV shows, scenes are often shorter, with multiple takes of each shot. For movies, however, shooting a single scene might take an entire day or more. Acting on set requires extreme focus, as the actor must stay in character while being surrounded by numerous distractions: camera crew, lighting, sound technicians, and other cast members. Cameras pick up every twitch, infliction, and subtle pause that an actor has and on film, the actor’s goal is to replicate reality. Speak to the other actors as you normally would and gesture as you normally would. I personally have always been uncomfortable watching my own image and listening to my own voice on video. Body image on camera can appear to make someone look larger than they are but I have realised that factors like camera angles, lens distortion, and lighting conditions can affect how you appear on screen and I now feel more comfortable with my image on camera.
For stage acting, the ability to project your voice is a key skill, so that the sound can travel around the auditorium for everyone to hear. Theatres are usually designed and built with reverberating acoustics in mind, so that the space can help the sound travel. On a film set, it’s normally the opposite and you might find that there is sound proofing, or sound limiting equipment to keep sound contained within a small space and to limit reverberations. I have realised that acting for camera styles tend to be a lot smaller than stage acting. Dramatic gestures that work well for stage appear far too pronounced for the screen. When acting for camera, it’s likely the performance will be much more focused on small details and natural styles. Facial expressions need to be a lot more subtle and a lot more natural, so knowledge of how to use your face to show emotion is a valuable technique. In addition to this how you choose to angle your body or your face in relation to the camera is also important. How you stand matters too. Do you stand tall and poised or are you hunched over. You need to be aware of your body language. Being able to land the exact physical position you need every single time will help the camera crew to shoot each shot perfectly and minimise the need for any retakes based on actors moving out of shot. On the set, you’ll be given “marks” to guide you to the exact spot. These are markings on the floor to guide actors to the right spot. You also need to be aware of the various props that you may need to use and make sure that there is continuity for any re-takes.
During any type of filming there are various production roles that are essential for the filming process. As we progressed in our classes each week, we were each given the opportunity to perform one of these roles. The roles were –
Director – Directors are the creative leads of the film and they work closely with the other production leads. They hold the creative vision throughout the whole process to the final edit. It is the job of a director to imagine the script in a visual form. They block the performance with the actors before filming begins, meaning they choreograph where actors are positioned, where they will move to over the course of a shot and how they will deliver their dialogue while also instructing other members of the crew. Directors work to get the best performance out of the actors but also need to ensure that all technical aspects are in place to get a great scene filmed.
First Assistant Director – The first assistant director (AD) is the director’s right-hand person. First ADs plan the filming schedule, working with the other production leads to ensure an efficient shoot. They write the shooting schedule and work out how long each scene will take to film. During filming first ADs manage the set, which leaves the director free to focus on the actors and framing the shots.
Director of Photography – Directors of photography are responsible for the photographic heart of a production. Working with the director, the Director of Photography helps with the blocking. They discuss any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the camera operator, ensuring that each shot is marked up for focus and framing. They will make sure every shot is usable and flag them when they’re not.
Continuity – The continuity person is responsible for maintaining the continuity of the film during each scene. They will make sure that each take comes together so that it can be turned into a single flow of footage when it goes to be edited. They must be focused with a strong attention to detail. Continuity supervisors are able to recognize and call out even the slightest change in a character’s appearance and maintain consistent character portrayal, setting and narrative.
Runner – Production runners on film sets are essential for the smooth operation of the production. They handle a variety of tasks that support the entire team including, distributing scripts to the actors, providing on-set assistance, preparing the set and organizing equipment. They need to be good at multi-tasking by organising and prioritising when asked to do different things by different people at the same time. They are crucial for ensuring that the production runs smoothly and efficiently.
Camera operator – The camera operator works closely with the Director of Photography and during filming will follow their and the Director’s instructions. Because they must always look through the camera’s viewfinder during every take, they are often the first to judge how well a shot or performance is going. If there are any technical flaws with a take, they will discuss this with the Director and Director of Photography.
Art Department – The Art Department work with the production team to contribute to the look and storytelling of the production. They are responsible for the design of the visual elements of the film. Everything from the set to decor to props is carefully thought of to help tell the story. They will provide continuous on set support to make the set look authentic and prepare props for actors to use on cue.
The responsibility for health and safety on a film set is shared among several key individuals and roles. The production team have a duty of care and must ensure that health and safety standards are achieved and maintained throughout the production process. It is essential for all parties involved in a production to communicate and cooperate to maintain a safe working environment.
Actually getting the opportunity to perform and observe others perform these key roles has given me a better understanding of the whole acting for camera process. Giving me the insight into the whole process instead of just focusing on the acting side has resulted in making me a more considered actor and improved my own acting skills in the process. We also got a better understanding of the editing process and how important this is. While the director and actors may receive most of the credit, the editor is responsible for weaving together the raw footage. The editor is a professional who selects, cuts and assembles video footage into a coherent and engaging story or narrative. Film editors have an important role in the production of movies, TV shows, documentaries and other video projects. They work closely with directors, producers and other members of the post-production team to create the final product.
In addition to my Acting for Camera specialism I was required to choose another specialism from either advanced dance, stage combat or actor creator. After careful consideration I decided to select advanced dance as my second specialism. I chose this as I felt that this area would be more suited to my skills and abilities hopefully giving me an extra boost in gaining some form of professional employment. The advanced dance further dance training included advanced tap classes, ballet, commercial and contemporary giving me the opportunity to become highly skilled in these areas.
As classes ran throughout the week in addition to the normal timetable I needed to be aware of the extra demands that this would have upon my body. One of the areas that I needed to focus on was my flexibility. The benefits of flexibility in dance helps with improved performance. It improves posture and is a key player in how a dancer holds themselves both on and off the stage. Regular stretching exercises have helped my body and had the effect of keeping my dance movements sharper and more elegant. The main stretching exercises that I have done are neck rolls, shoulder stretch, hamstring stretch, frog stretch, cobra stretch and the v stretch. In addition to these I have also done strength exercises, such as push-ups, pull-ups, scapular push ups, plank and squats as they also enhance flexibility. While doing these exercises it is important to listen to your body. You need to be aware of any discomfort in the body, too, making sure you’re in tune with your muscles and don’t overdo it. If you feel pain somewhere while stretching, you need to stop. It’s very important to respond to body pain. There are times though when doing exercises where you can utilise breath to help you stretch even further than you thought you could. With any dance style you need to have a decent amount of strength in your core. This is a crucial part of any dancer’s skillset so you can continue to improve. Doing regular flexibility routines eases muscle tension and has actually helped with my overall wellbeing. Many people who include stretching into their daily routines report significantly lower stress levels. I have also noticed that by increasing my muscle and joint suppleness, I can move more freely and am less prone to sprains and strains. I have also found that I have been able to maintain a better balance during dance routines. Stretching regularly can improve sleep quality and slow joint degeneration, ensuring that dancers can continue to pursue their careers for longer. It will also improve your posture. I have also made sure that I look after my nutrition and have stuck to a healthy diet throughout my course. I always cook my own food using fresh produce and avoiding takeaway food where possible. Varying the different types of exercises has also helped with my goal of improving my flexibility.
The specialist skills that I have gained during this module will definitely improve my chances of gaining employment in my professional career. While I am aware that the performing arts industry is very competitive, I am also prepared to be flexible with what work I do take on. I now have a greater awareness and confidence in acting for camera roles and this will hopefully be an area where I could be successful. Also, a lot of the shows and musicals that are currently being performed have a high inclusion of dancing in the content of the shows and the additional specialist skills that I have gained in dancing can only be of benefit with this.
Bibliography
Acting Magazine. What does an actors day look like. Available online:
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Sparks Arts. Camera Skills. Available online:
http://www.sparksarts.co.uk/5-useful-acting-for-camera-skills-from-stage/
Copy and paste the embed code from Panopto hereScreenskills. Available online:
http://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/film-and-tv-drama/
[Accessed 19/01/2026]
https://leedsconservatoire.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=4a7b113b-91b6-43dc-bbb1-b36b00cdd900&start=6.253617