Generally speaking, many of talented play actors cannot adapt to acting in multimedia environment, and eventually fall behind due to the fact that acting education in Korean has been carried out on-stage acting based on the tradition of play-acting. B...
Generally speaking, many of talented play actors cannot adapt to acting in multimedia environment, and eventually fall behind due to the fact that acting education in Korean has been carried out on-stage acting based on the tradition of play-acting. Both the play acting and film acting have distinctive different characteristics and it is crucial that actors have to understand those differences for better performance. Therefore, this study is to suggest some ideal methods in which play actors can adapt to visual mass media by looking at comparison of differences in acting between on-stage and on camera.
With the advancements in techniques in camera and the introduction of close-up, play acting and film acting have had different points of view on way of expression and communication. In films, the actors’ performance is filmed through a lens of camera, and edited, before the film is delivered to the audience. Hence, it is required a fundamental different expression from the plays in which actors directly present themselves on the stage. It is not allowed any exaggerated and falseness acting in zoomed screen due to the fact that the camera clearly captures action and facial expression of actors. Moreover, a small gesture of an actor is magnified, so that more simple, natural and sincere acting are required. However, the camera does not always show the close-up scenes. For instance, the camera can be placed at any distance from actors. In this case, the actors sometimes have to exaggerate their actions to be recognized. Actors in play adopt different acting techniques depending on the size and conditions of theater. Likewise there are different acting techniques in film depending on the size and a shot of a camera. These techniques are compulsory for the film actors. More importantly full understanding of camera and technological characteristics to act appropriately are crucial.
On the other hand, the biggest factor that determines the play actors and the film actors is the space issue, namely the difference in the distance of delivery. In a play, owing to spatial distance between the stage and seats, there is a wide range of transformation in acting for actors. Furthermore if the actors’ voice and body are flexible enough in their role, their acting abilities can overcome all conditions such as appearance, body, age, and even nationality. In contrast with acting in a film, the transformation of the actors is limited as everything is carried out through the camera lens. The camera can create any desired images by adjusting the location of filming without requiring the actors to move. In a film where everything occurs within the screen, there is a continuous movement of objects and acting is only a factor that comprises of shots along with the set, clothes, make-up, small objects, and lighting. Unlike the play where can express everything through the lines and acting of actors, in a film actors can possibly express feelings through their eyes. Thus the actors should focus more on detailed expression of feelings rather than big movement and clear vocal in a play due to the fact that the lines can be supplemented with technological techniques.
Actors in a play, whom present performance through their body, can control and manage their body based on regular training and control themselves, while sometimes the natural actor in a film shows a brilliant performance without any special training. If the actors in a film possess the individual charms and the power of expression that can grab audience’s attention, it is possible to act without learning the techniques as the play actors. In a film, facial and physical matters that fit the camera are more important than acting skills because their image and characteristics are likely magnified. This is because as audiences can see even actors’ pores or the trembling of the actors’ pupils, the face on the screen itself is the strongest technique for expression that any other acting.
Actors are the most important in a play so called 'the art of actor'. They concretize a work of writer within a limited stage, and act according to the sequence of time based on its theme. However, a film is created by the camera technologies, style of actors are less reflected than the play. It can say that the actors are only a factor that comprises the film and the acting almost entirely depends on a director’s approach to the material. A play is an art that is created by the acting of actors whereas the acting styles are determined by the presentation of the director in a film. ‘Meeting the actors in real life.’ is the greatest charm and the advantage of the play. This allows it to survive without losing their popularity in these days despite the appearance of powerful visual mass media, such as films or television. A great actor should prepare for the best performance no matter act on television, a film and a play.
As the acting training until today has been emphasized on the stage, it would be hard to understand the distinct characteristics of acting in film. The stage actors should escape from the traditional play acting and understand the technological mechanism of the film to naturally express their emotions on camera through more camera-familiar training environment even from the very basic trainings. Personally, I hope this study contribute to the actor’s acting technique training that will allow for the maximal expression of feelings in any types of acting, in a time that needs not only more institutions and materials for acting, but also to introduce the new methods for education that an meet the expectations of the new age of mass media.