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.