On‐screen Acting v Live Stage Acting

Naturally I assumed there would be no difference between performing live to an audience and performing to a camera. They are the same right, they are both performing… right? Wrong…

They are in fact complete opposites. A theatre live performance, which would look great on a stage, would look like an insane level of overacting on the screen. Similar to how a small eyebrow raise on camera would be completely missed by a live audience.

Here are a few main differences:

On Stage 

• Project your voice and presence
• Months of rehearsal
• Face the audience
• Project to the audience
• Fill the space emotional
• Shared between all
• Consciously public performance

On Camera 

• Lens aware
• Quick turn around and short rehearsal time
• Limited background info
• Prep before hand alone
• Unlock script before hand
• Very focused
• Within a bubble
• A Private conversation

I suppose the main differences are when performing on stage it is a consciously public performance, where as performing on camera it is a private conversation 

I know what your thinking… how does Dan know all this? 

Well I felt it was time to get a bit of grounding in on‐screen acting before I got stuck into the ‘Top secret’ project thing and therefore booked onto a course at the Actors Centre. It was a massive eye opener and I highly recommend it to everyone who is looking to move into On‐Screen acting.