ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD-51
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

“IT SHOULD BE A CARDINAL RULE OF AN ACTORS LIFE: ALWAYS AUDITION”
-MICHAEL SHUFFLER
This temperament is induced in the actors of India’s Best Acting Institute”KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors.
Many a times actors use their own wisdom and decide that the character which they are auditioning for is not appropriate for them or they won’t be able to carry it.
Let this be casting directors prerogative. One never knows what streak he finds in you, which is close to the character he is auditioning you for.

WHEN YOU AUDITION THERE ARE ONLY TWO POSITIVES, EITHER YOU GET THAT JOB, OR GET REMEMBERED.

Remember Matt Gerald, the villain of “Avatar”(2009). He first auditioned for James Cameron in 1990 for a small part in “Terminator2: Judgement Day”. Though he gave a brilliant audition but was found unappropriated for the part . But was REMEMBERED, and was casted 18 years later as Corporal Lyle Wain fleet in “Avatar.”

Legendre Dustin Hoffman, was not the original choice for his debut film”The Graduate”(1966). For the character of James Stewart, director had a tall basketball player in mind, but a short non basketball playing Dustin Hoffman got the part through sheer brilliance in audition. So, yes talent does change perception.

My personal experience, when I was being considered for Shiv in “OM NAMAH SHIVAY”(1996) I thought Shiv should be a chubby round faced actor, but the director Mr Dheeraj Kumar and creative director Chandrakantji had a lean looking Shiv in mind, there I was.

Moral of the story-
“ALWAYS AUDITION FOR EVERYTHING OFFERED, EVEN IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE WRONG IT”
This is the advise which is passed on to the actors of India’s Top Most Acting Academy”KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors.

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

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ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD -50
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other aspirants)

SCREEN ACTORS NEED TO KNOW IMPORTANCE OF CHEATING

Perception of space amongst the actors in a master shot to closer compositions to a solo shot is dynamic. In other words the “spatial” relationship of actors changes with the change in composition of the shot.

Two actors who are standing adjacent to each other in a master shot, are required to come closer in a two shot, which might become uncomfortable.

To give you a proper facing in an over the shoulder shot, you might be asked to ‘cheat your look’ by looking at your co-actors one eye or ear which is towards the camera.

In a frontal two shot, where you are just behind your co-actor, you will need to curb that instinct to lean forward and look into your co-actors eyes, you might loose your facing.

Another important pointer while shooting your close-ups. You will be given a specific look for your co-actor. Your co-actors lines will be given to you by an assistant who might be standing at some other corner of the set. But you have to behave as if you are receiving those words from the direction where your look is.

Also,when the camera is following a movement of yours. Say a close up of a pistol your hand comes comes in the frame and picks it up, or closeup of a glass or a coffee mug you you are suppose to pick and sip. “You have to slow the tempo to give time to the camera operator to follow.”

We preach and practice this during actors training program at India’s Top Most Acting Institute”KREATING CHARAKTERS” We Groom Actors.

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 49
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

SOME SUGGESTION WHEN YOU ARE ANCHORING A TV SHOW

Giving a close-up shot while shooting a scene, and speaking directly to the lense, addressing to the audience watching at home, is entirely a different ball game.
Many a times young actors who are looking for a break in films or Television are offered anchoring jobs. Such assignments are lucrative and less time consuming. Lap them up.
Something interesting I realized while preparing Master Chef India- 2 winner Shipra Khanna for her new Star Plus show “Zayekabazon Ka Safar.” Shipra also happens to be a regular student of Indias Best Acting School “KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors(Batch no 68).
What I realized was, while speaking her opening and break links to the camera, traveling from one thought to another she shifted her visual focus, thus moved her look away from the camera. So, it came across as if she is ” forgetting her lines or trying to remember.” Channels creative team pointed this out to me.
The fact was she was actually traveling through the entire thought process and “instinctively” shifted her look.
Bottom line, “WHEN SPEAKING TO THE CAMERA, WHILE SHOOTING OPENING AND CLOSING LINK, CURB THE INSTINCT OF SHIFTING YOUR LOOK DURING THOUGHT TRANSITION.”

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 48
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants )
GOOD TRAINING AND HOLD OVER YOUR CRAFT IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE STUCK IN THE RUT OF TV SOAP
Our Television Industry is extremely sensitive to TRP’s. TRP’s decide future of a TV show. Tracks of various characters in a show are extended, curtailed or eliminated as per the number of eye balls they catch and hold on.
Low television ratings leads to sudden changes in the composition and content of the show. New characters are introduced, few characters are done away with, appearance of some is curtailed. There is a constant experiment which goes on to find the right balance and to uplift the TRP’s.
The one suffers the most is the poor actor, apart from having mental unsurety and tension whether he/she would be booked in the future or not, what is worst affected is “his creativity” and his “approach towards portraying that character.”
As an actor it becomes impossible to find a clear sense of purpose, whatever preparation one makes goes for a six. In such a situation an actor feels lost and clue-less.
Some times ago I was chatting with one of my favorite students, sought after TV star Himanshu Malhotra. He played lead in “Bhagonwali” and “Love Marriage -Arrange Marriage.” He shared something very insightful, he said” It is his TRAINING AND APPROACH TOWARDS ACTING WHICH HAS KEPT HIM UNCORRUPTED AND UNADULTRATED IN THIS UNCERTAIN WORLD OF TELEVISION”.
This awareness we incorporate in the actors of Indias best acting school “KREATING CHARAKTERS” We Groom Actors.
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 47

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 47
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

THE OUTFIT WHICH YOU WEAR FOR AUDITION SHOULD NOT DISTRACT AUDITIONER(VIEWER) FROM YOUR PERFORMANCE AND FACE

It is very important the colours and patterns you choose to wear for auditions do not steal attention. Generally the assistant to casting director gives the dress code for auditions but the colours and patterns are your choice.

‘This one is right from the horses mouth’. A few days back Ms Roshni Banerjee, a sought after casting director of Bollywood, who has to her credit film like ‘Kahani’ (Dir. Sujoy Ghosh), presently she is casting for Anil Kapoor Productions new Television sereis “24” for colors, had visited Indias Best Acting School “KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors. She gave very interesting insights regarding the colours and patterns the actor should choose for his /her attire.

She suggested one should select DEEP, BOLD and DARK colours like brown, grey, black, blue etc. (They absorb light so your face looks brighter and clearer )

She also pointed out one should avoid patterns such as checks, specially the small ones and should not wear ‘pin stripes’. The patterns which tend to glitter should be avoided, they create distraction while viewing.

NEVER WEAR A T-SHIRT WITH AN IMPRINTED ATTITUDE, RATHER LET THE ATTITUDE COME ACROSS IN YOUR PERFORMANCE.

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD-46
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

“YOU WILL GET CASTED AS PER YOUR SCREEN AGE NOT BY YOUR REAL AGE”
Amir Khan in his early forties played a twenty year old engineering student in 3 idiots. Sharman Joshi and R Madhwan bit younger then him played his freinds and batchmates.

“Remember actors attain maturity and hold over their craft after a certain experience and age”.

It is very essential for an actor to realize how he/she comes across …accept that and play that age. My suggestion is never reveal your real age. If some body really insists, then respond with a smile and say “All actors lie about their age, don’t they?” And then lie!!!

In 1996 when we were filming “OM NAMAH SHIVAY.” There was this casting requirement of a 25 years old female actor to play mother of a 5 years old Shiv Bhakt Upmanyu. A 28 years old actor was finalised by the casting team.

When creative consultant/director Chandrakant Gaudji learnt about her age, he rejected her for that character . Casting guys had to look for a new actor.

Six months down they needed a young newly married 20- 22 years old couple. Same female actor was shortlisted for the wifes part, this time the casting director had told her to say that she was 20 ….that lie was accepted .. she got the part .

ACCEPT THE AGE YOU ARE PERCEIVED
This awareness we instill in our actors at India’s Top Most Acting School “KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors.

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD-45
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

“LISTENING AND SURRENDERING ABSOLUTELY TO THE MOMENT, MAKES THE INTERACTION COMPLETE”

We actors tend to worry about our next line, next physical bussiness…anxiously waiting for the cue to ‘fire our next line’ and this is a ‘cardinal sin’ for an actor.
“FEAR OF FORGETTING OUR NEXT LINE HAUNTS US”
The MANTRA which is ‘preached,’ ‘practiced’ and ‘hammered’ in Indias Best Acting Institute”KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors is that 90% of good screen acting is all about how well one “RECEIVES.” That happens only when you are present to the moment and get affected by the situation and circumstaces.
The lines which you are suppose to speak, the ‘seed'(stimuli) of that line lies in your co-actors line. So, listen to your co-actor very intently and get affected, then let that line come across.

Listening is all the more impotant in camera acting. Interesting closeup is of the actor who is listening and getting affected rather then the one who is speaking. And yes, good listener would get editors attention, editor will be tempted to put your ‘inserts,.

BE A GENUINE LISTENER AND, BE IN THE MOMENT

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 44
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

“MOMENT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SHOULD BE FELT AND EXPRESSED STEP BY STEP ONE AT A TIME NOT JUMBLED UP”

This SACRED SCREEN ACTING TECHNIQUE is preached, practiced and incorporated at India’s Best Acting School ” KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors.

It is vital for an actor to be very clear with his emotional choices of a particular situation and circumstances his character is going through . It is all the more important that the actor feels the consequent chain of emotions clearly and be able to express them explicitly.

In life if you jumble up things and make a ‘khichdi’ out of it it is fine, but in acting specially in CAMERA ACTING it is very essential to feel and express the moment you are expressing with utmost clarity and progression(graph) .

This acting technique and approach is hall mark of acting training at Mumbai’s Best Acting Institute “KREATING CHARAKTERS” we groom actors.

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD- 43
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

“REHEARSE YOUR ACTION SEQUENCE WELL….GIVE YOUR TAKE WITH FULL COMMITMENT NOT HALFHEARTEDLY”
……MARKOS ROUNTHWAITE
(Action director ‘Borne’ series and “Ek Tha Tiger”

Even when you are giving or receiving a slap or involved in a scuffling sequence, rehearse it well and execute it with full commitment.
In my 20years career in Bollywood, I been fortunate to work with big action directors like Mr Tinu Verma, Mr Ravi Diwaan, Mr Shyam Kaushal, Late Mr Akbar Bakshi, something which I noticed remarkably similar in their approach while filming an action sequence is their enthusiasm and energy. They create a lot of excitement in actors participating in the shoot, their energy rubs on to the actors. The whole set is on high octane and charged up.
Something absolutely different I experienced working on the sets of “Ek Tha Tiger” was the approach of Markos Rounthwaite, the action director who to his credit has done”Borne” series flicks. He carries a very controlled demeanor, not excited at all, no yelling no shouting on the sets. He comes close to the ear and gently says “Relate to the situation, let the adrenaline pump in and do your bit with full commitment” simple instructions. He is absolutely cool during the execution and what transforms on the screen is sheer magic.
The technique is simple RELATE TO THE SITUATION AND GIVE YOUR TAKE WITH FULL COMMITMENT

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

ACTING TIPS, FOR YOUR CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD-42
(Through this I wish to share my insights as an actor/trainer with my students and other acting aspirants)

HERE ON THE EVE OF 2013, I WOULD COMBINE ACTING TIP AND NEW YEAR WISHES

Very often my students and young actors come up with this query “How to get over a character they have played?”

It some times becomes tough for young actors to get out of the character they have played. As actors they invest themselves to get in hold with the psyche of the character, they work hard towards getting the right postures, gestures, expressions and body language for that character. They even pick up a specific dialect(accent) for that character.
They have lived like that character for a reasonable amount of time. After they are” done with it, it still sticks to them.” The vulnerable young actors are clueless ‘how to get that monkey off their back’.
The advise which we give at India’s best acting school KREATING CHARAKTERS we groom actors is “Just Chill”, just get into the party mood, forget about serious acting for a while, go beyond the constraints you have created for the character and rediscover your self.

Ditto is my wish for you all on this new year eve, enjoy, chill and forget about the upheavals of 2012…and yes “TAKE 2013 HEAD ON….MAY YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC 2013…HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SAMAR JAI SINGH
http://www.kreatingcharakters.in