Do you sometimes watch an actor and completely forget that you’re watching a performance? The actor has been able to inhabit their character so fully that they’ve simply become them.
This is not solely down to their acting talents – a fully realised performance is also down to the actor’s hard work at developing the character and then making sure that they immerse themselves in the role. In this article, we look at how to get into character for acting, with invaluable advice from actor Brian Cox.
Getting into character
The key to getting into character lies in the preparation. Behind every performance lies painstaking character development, made up from homework, research and asking lots of questions about behaviour and motivation.
When the actor knows the character inside out, there are exercises and rituals that can help them inhabit the role for the performance. We’ll take a look at how you can get into character through tried-and-tested acting techniques.
1. Do your homework
The first stage of developing a character is to study the script – and to go beyond the words on the page. Actor Brian Cox explains in his BBC Maestro course how character development involves “homework” for the actor.
“You’re playing what’s on the page, but you’re also playing a bit more than what’s on the page.”
Brian uses an iceberg analogy to describe the process, because like an iceberg, a lot of the character lies below the surface of the script. The actor prepares by investigating the elements of the character that may be hidden, which can be done through some background research and a lot of questioning. Brian advises actors not to judge the character just from reading the script. You don’t know them yet.
2. Research the character
Research beyond what you read in the script, but don’t get too carried away with study. As Brian Cox says, “You can’t act research”. He does, however, recommend researching a historical character or a character who’s based in reality. For example, when he played the title role in Churchill (2017), Brian found the statesman’s 1941 heart attack and resulting physical frailty to be his way into the character. Brian described this as “a kernel of an idea that the actor can work with.” Look for the kernel in your character that can give you that essential insight.
3. Apply Stanislavski’s 7 questions
This is a list of questions that help an actor establish their character. Twentieth-century Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski wanted to create a more realistic style of acting that came from finding “the truth” in characters. He interviewed actors and from their advice, came up with a list of seven questions.
1. Who am I?
2. Where am I?
3. What time is it?
4. What do I want?
5. Why do I want it?
6. How do I get what I want?
7. What must I overcome to get what I want?
The Stanislavski technique is still used by actors today. It’s the method Brian Cox was taught and recommends to others:
“It’s very simple, and you can’t go wrong once you’ve asked these questions.”
4. Think about character paraphernalia
You can choose to further round out your character by adding further questions such as this one: “What does my character own?” What’s in their handbag, their pocket, their bathroom cabinet? These questions can help you flesh out their backstory, from old romances to their medical history. You could also ask what food they like, or what music they listen to.
Then, before your rehearsal or performance, you can put this music on, or if your nervous stomach can take it, have a bit of their favourite food (maybe avoid their meds). We’ll look at pre-performance rituals in a moment.
5. Consider their physicality
How does the character move, and just as importantly, how do they stay still? How do they inhabit a space: do they take it over or do they blend in? Are there any little mannerisms or ticks? These details are so important when you’re getting into character. Brian Cox explains why:
“You’re creating the character as an individual. Not as a type, but as an individual.”
Think of the various quirks that you, your family members and friends have: it’s these little nuances that make even similar people different. Capturing small physical details will help to make your character more believable.
6. Get into costume
Brian Cox advises you to “Dress the part”. Putting on your character’s costume transforms you in ways that transcend physical appearance. Clothing is intimate: you’re covering yourself in something that belongs to the character, not you, giving it great emotional significance. It also helps you move and behave like your character: nobody continues to inhabit their 21st-century body in a corset or doublet and hose. If you can, collaborate with the costume department to establish what clothing and accessories will feel authentic with your characterisation.
7. Find your own ritual
How actors get into character before a performance varies. Most have pre-show or pre-filming routines, which can include vocal warm-ups, stretching exercises, and making sure they’ve eaten something. However, within these practical routines come the rituals that help the actor inhabit the character. This could be anything from listening to a certain piece of music or literally stepping into the character’s shoes. A ritual could look like this:
- Getting into costume: does this happen early or late in the routine? Opinions vary; however, for some actors, getting into costume feels like slipping into the skin of their character.
- Hair and make-up: again, the physical transformation helps you step away from yourself and become the part.
- Going through the questions: run through Stanislavski’s seven points to keep the character’s motivations front and centre.
- Sensory triggers: this is where your background work really pays off. By now, you know the character’s taste in music, their favourite scents, what they like to eat… Immerse yourself in the role by playing music or putting on a scent that you associate with them. Our senses are powerful triggers and are there to help you.
- Mannerisms: start to move like the character before the performance. The costume may be making this happen naturally, especially if it involves something out-of-the-ordinary like a corset or heels.
- Don’t bury yourself: while immersing yourself in a ritual will get you into character, remember that the role doesn’t exist in a vacuum – even an actor in a monologue has the audience to relate to. Interacting with the other actors will help you get and then stay in character.
Do you want to know more about how a professional actor gets into character? Take a look at Brian Cox’s BBC Maestro course on Acting, during which the actor covers character development (and many other acting techniques) in fascinating detail.
