Six Quick Tips to Improve Your Acting Skills

There is a famous Chinese saying: “Three minutes of glory on stage, ten years of hard work off stage.” This saying refers to athletes, singers, actors and basically any profession. As an audience, we only see the results and not the hard work. It takes minutes to become a failed actor, but years to become a successful one. Fortunately, here are six quick tips to improve your acting skills.

1. Know your lines. While this seems obvious, it is a frequent mistake among fans. Singers are not good singers if they don’t remember their lyrics. Actors are not good actors if they don’t remember their lines. Only when you are confident in your lines will you be able to focus on your acting techniques. Memorizing the lines is not enough. You have to know your lines from the inside out so it doesn’t look like you’re reading a script.

2. Participate in filming projects. Look for creative studios like Wong Fu Productions and see if they need extras. This is a great opportunity to befriend people who have the same interests as you and gain acting experience along the way!

3. Be open to feedback. What does not kill you makes you stronger. Feedback may hurt but it won’t cost you anything. Be respectful and accept feedback. Don’t take it personally. No one is out there to ruin you … that only happens once you’re in the movie!

4. Break your comfort zone. Acting is not something a shy person can do unless they are willing to break their comfort zone. When I was in elementary school, my homeroom teacher sent me next door to audition for a role in the school play. I have no idea what affected me, but I sang the part loud and proud. I saw my music teacher nod her head … I got the part.

5. Stay in character longer than necessary. Mr. Pricklepants from Toy Story second this one! Staying in character allows you to think and breathe into your character’s skin. This helps your performance become more natural. And it shows when you go the extra mile.

6. Take an acting class. Trust the professionals. They have been in this industry and can give helpful advice. If you’re not sure where to start or are concerned that the class will conflict with your schedule, check out Vimbly for a list of classes in New York that you can book right away.

Most importantly, get started! Research alone will not make you a better actor!