November 2023

If you are considering taking acting classes, there will no doubt be an exciting learning curve ahead of you. Actors need a spectrum of skills, such as the ability to express themselves clearly, to use their voice and body language well to communicate characters and emotions, and the ability to creatively respond to stories and those around them.

However, one fundamental skill that can be most daunting for new actors is the ability to memorise all their lines. It’s crucial to know each line to the point of instant recall no matter how much pressure you are under, otherwise the whole performance will start to come undone.

If you are worrying about remembering the next line all the way through the performance, then this will mean that you are less able to react to what is going on around you and your acting will be less convincing. Therefore, you need to know your lines inside out so you hardly need to think about what you are saying next.

This can seem to be an intimidating proposition. Fortunately, there are plenty of memorisation techniques you can use to help you learn lines effectively. Here are a few tips.

Read aloud

When you first get a script, find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted, and read it aloud rather than in your head. During your scenes, read your partner’s dialogue as well as your own to get used to the pace and rhythm of the words. Do not worry about making mistakes at first, just try to understand the motives behind the words.

Repetition

For most people, repetition is the key to successful memorisation. Take on chunks of dialogue at a time rather than trying to memorise the whole lot in one attempt and repeat each section three or four times, or until you have committed it to memory. Many people find that reading at night just before they go to bed helps them to remember better the next day.

Use imagery

If you are struggling to remember certain key sections, try and link the words or phrases to images in your mind. Pick images that help to tell the story or otherwise convey the meaning of the words, so that they become linked in your brain. This will help you visualise the words rather than simply reach for the signifying language. 

Handwrite the words

Handwriting the words sharpens your memory  because the physical act of writing them down reinforces mental connections. You may need to repeat this process a few times.

Work with a partner

Working with someone to repeat your words back to you heightens your memory and also prepares for the transition from private to public performance. 

 

If you are interested in acting classes in Manchester, please get in touch with us today.

Leeds is celebrating its Year of Culture during 2023, and that makes the annual Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) even more exciting than ever. This event is celebrating its 37th anniversary, and it will be showcasing the work of some of the most exciting filmmakers in the local area, as well as from across the world. 

For drama students or anyone taking acting classes in Leeds, it’s an ideal opportunity to mix with writers, directors, and fellow actors at a manageable scale. This could help you to make valuable connections if you are looking for your first big break in the film scene, or just give you a better insight into the workings of the industry. 

The LIFF takes place at various venues throughout the city, including Hyde Park Picture House, Howard Assembly Room, Vue in The Light and Everyman Cinema. The quality of the films on offer is second to none, and the event acts as a qualifying festival for prestigious awards such as the BAFTAs and the Academy Awards. 

The Official Selection brings together the most anticipated films of the year and features some exciting new filmmakers. Highlights this year include Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, and Justine Trier’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall.

For students of drama, it’s an excellent opportunity to study some of the country’s finest actors as they put in world-class performances. If you have an interest in specific genres of film, there’s bound to be something for you in the Fanomenon offerings, which include films from the fantasy, sci-fi, horror, dark comedy, and animation genres.

Fans of horror are particularly well catered for with the legendary Night of the Dead, an all night session of classic and contemporary horror films. A highlight this year is the Spanish horror/comedy The Coffee Table, which has already won the accolade of Best Film at Manchester’s Grimmfest film festival. 

The LIFF is an important contribution to the UK arts scene, and all the more special because it’s a scene that does tend to be dominated by London, especially when it comes to art house cinema. Leeds is easily accessible to anyone who lives in northern cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, and York. 

It’s an ideal opportunity to see some of the most interesting and cutting-edge work in the world of film, often months before the official opening. There are also curated retrospective showings, helping to bring some of the finest work of the past to a new audience. 

LIFF is an event not to be missed by any student of drama, for the sheer variety and versatility of the work on offer. The website also contains links to useful guides and educational resources for anyone keen to learn more about the creative process of filmmaking. 

Many people embark on acting classes with a dream of breaking into the movies, no matter if they are from Liverpool or Los Angeles. Taking acting lessons is a great place to start, but it’s important to include some specific skills in your training to give you the best chance of success. Here are some top tips.

 

Camera training

There are some differences between acting for live stage performances and acting for screen, so it’s important for aspiring film actors to have some camera training. When looking for a suitable acting school, make sure that the course covers this aspect of your education. You can also practise interacting with a camera at home, even just using your phone. 

This will help you get used to seeing how you look, move, and sound on film, and to always be aware of your actions in relation to the camera lens. The camera can pick up subtle nuances of facial expressions and tone of voice, so you will need to develop good prosody skills and be able to express emotion without exaggeration or hamminess. 

 

Be prepared to start small

It’s unlikely that you will be cast in a big-budget movie straight away, and it’s a better approach to build up your experience in low-key productions. There are plenty of online resources with adverts for auditions in student-led or low-budget projects, for example. 

It may even be useful to accept an entry-level job as a runner on a production. Although you won’t be acting in this role, it’s a foot in the door and a great opportunity to observe how the whole process operates. 

It is also a good chance to network with more experienced and well-connected people, so even if work is unglamorous, it pays to be enthusiastic and show that you are not above hard work and are a good team player. 

 

Build up a network

Many opportunities in film come about through word of mouth, so it’s useful to build up a network of contacts. Attend small film festivals where you have a chance to mix with other actors, directors and creatives. The UK has a thriving independent film scene, with highlights such as the Leeds International Film Festival that takes place in November.

Even attending auditions is a great way to connect with fellow actors and get noticed by useful people in the industry. Therefore you should always try to be friendly and approachable with everyone you meet, even if you feel a little nervous and stressed out by the occasion. 

 

Put a portfolio together

You will need to have a professional portfolio including a headshot, resumé, and a demo reel. Make sure that your headshot is natural and accurately represents your appearance, rather than a heavily made up face and filtered photo. Wear neutral clothing that doesn’t distract from your face, and make sure that it is updated every six months to keep it current.