Michael Caine's Film School

 MICHAEL CAINE SCREEN ACTING NOTES – finish film about halfway

(check exemplars) + add link to film

In our lesson we watched a video of the actor Michael Caine giving advice on acting for the camera. The link to the video can be found here.  

We took notes on the different techniques: 

  •           Ignore crew and any audience – focus only on people in the scene
  •           Eyes are IMPORTANT – focus on other characters’ eyes
  •           Have to get to certain spots on set in front of camera – remain on marks to keep camera focus
  • -          Have to make sure people can see your eyes
  • -          Don't change eyes when looking into someone’s eyes – only look at one eye and keep focus on the same one – the best eye changes depending on what side of you the camera is on
  •           Don't blink – it removes focus
  •           “the camera is like somebody who loves you deeply”
  •           Ignore camera – focus on other people onscreen
  •           Listening is IMPORTANT – listening and reacting to other actors
  •           There is no one there – no camera – just be – subtlety is best
  •           Less is more – do “nothing”
  •           Let it be natural
  •          Concentration creates an impression of relaxation – knowing you don’t have to “push it” - camera is your friend
  •          Be specific with what you are doing especially with props – do not fiddle with anything and plan all of your movements so that they are the same between every single shot and they match – look smoother
  • -          Follow instructions from crew
  • -          Take inspiration from others - “steal” because what you stole, they stole from someone else and made it their own – you have to invent yourself
  • -          Rushes = sitting at the end of every day and watching all the shots taken that day
  • -          Many actors will not watch rushes but some do
  • -          Don't move around in close-ups – keep continuity – you can go a lot slower depending on who you’re talking to – with direct address (speaking to the camera) who are you talking to – audience or a single person? Keep eye contact with camera
  • -          When auditioning, follow director’s instructions closely

Preparing for short roles – learn lines then go through performance EXACTLY how it was meant to go through, including props if possible 

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