Watch Movies and TV Shows with Others, Discuss, and Form Tribes

Do You Need to Be in an Acting Class to Get Better?

Actors often ask: Do I need to be in an acting class to get better? An acting coach will always say yes, and with good reasons. Training in an acting class provides camaraderie, peer feedback, and valuable practice time on the mark, giving actors the essentials to get better at their craft. While in-class acting training is important, growth can also happen outside the classroom. 

Some actors feel pressured to believe they cannot succeed without constant training. Comments like “you’ll never book jobs without a coach,” often push actors towards acting classes, even when it’s not financially viable for them. Structured training can be invaluable, but there are many ways to improve your craft. Step #9 explores how to keep learning, practicing, and expanding with or without a formal class setting.

Research Through Watching

Few professions allow you to say, “Hey, I’m watching TV for research,” but for actors, this can be true. Treat watching TV and movies as active research rather than passive consumption.

Get Curious: ask yourself, How do I know what I know? (Gladwell, 2005). Understanding how you perceive story details and character dynamics deepens your ability to understand and get better at your craft. Learn how the magicians do their tricks.

This trains you to observe and apply consciously what you’re often perceiving unconsciously.

Breaking Down Scenes Step-by-Step

Watching film and Television with full consciousness (+ paper and pen) helps you discover the “how too” behind what’s the “actors job” vs what the “creative teams”. Follow these steps:

1. Watch a Scene, Hit Pause, and Consider:

After watching a scene, hit pause and consider. Write down everything you know or experienced: story points, relationships, what you thought, how you reacted emotionally etc. 

Ask yourself:

• What did I learn about the characters and their relationships?
• How much more of the plot was revealed to me?
• What actually moved me, made me tense or made me laugh etc? 
• who you were drawn to, and who you hated.
• How did I know this? Was it from the “acting”, the dialogue, music, or camera angles or edits?

You’ll realize you’ve absorbed much more than what initially hit your eyes and ears. Here are a couple of examples.

Story Example: Mahershala Ali in Moonlight (2016)

“Moonlight is a gentle and poignant coming-of-age story that follows a young Black man’s journey of self-discovery, identity, and love through three defining chapters of his life.”

Ali’s portrayal of Juan includes protective yet gentle physical gestures, like resting a hand on young Chiron’s shoulder or guiding him while teaching him to swim. These actions communicate mentorship, care, and quiet strength without explicit dialogue.

Joaquin Phoenix in Joker (2019)

“A troubled and marginalized comedian spirals into madness and violence, transforming into the iconic criminal mastermind, the Joker, as he grapples with societal rejection and personal trauma.”

Phoenix’s use of dance throughout the film reveals Arthur Fleck’s inner transformation. His fluid, almost grotesque dancing symbolizes his descent into madness and growing self-acceptance in his twisted persona as the Joker.

2.  Rewatch and Identify Techniques
Go back and look for the techniques(below) that allowed you to experience these scenes viscerally. Consider:

• Music cues: How does the music augment the scene’s mood? Does it build tension, signal relief, evoke a yearning in you or make you feel alone or elated?
• Camera angles: What emotions become heightened by the framing or movement? Observe how close-ups bring intimacy, while wide shots create distance or isolation.
• Editing: How does pacing affect tension or humour? Does the timing of cuts emphasize certain actions or words or advance the story?
• Cinematography: What visual elements (lighting, colour, shadows) add to the storytelling?
• Breath control: 
  Adam Driver in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
  As Kylo Ren, Driver uses quick, deliberate breaths during intense moments, such as after killing Han Solo. His breath trembles slightly, revealing his inner conflict and suppressed emotion, this contrasts with his normal controlled, menacing behaviour.

Florence Pugh in Little Women (2019)

“Four spirited sisters navigate love, ambition, and heartbreak in Civil War-era America, forging unbreakable bonds while shaping their own destinies, challenging both societal conventions toward self-discovery.”

Pugh’s character, Amy March, uses subtle breath control when suppressing her tears during her confrontation with Laurie. Her controlled breathing tells us she is maturing and it shows her resolve not to give in  to her vulnerability.

3. Watch a Third Time: Be Aware of Your Emotional Response

Think about how the scene you watched affected you emotionally. Was it the context, a relationship, or something about the character? Pause to observe what sparked your reaction, then rewatch to analyze why it resonated with you. Was it the delivery? The timing? Sometimes, understanding these moments takes multiple viewings—but it’s worth the effort to uncover the “magic tricks” behind powerful scenes.

Story Example: Drive

“A stoic, solitary stuntman and clandestine getaway driver is thrust into a perilous criminal underworld of violence, loyalty, and moral ambiguity, risking everything for the faint promise of love and identity.”

In Drive, Carey Mulligan and Ryan Gosling have a scene in an elevator, completely still but full of emotion. They achieve their connection through relaxing muscle tension, natural breathing, and being present. Notice how the music and subtle camera moves heighten our reactions.

Sidebar Example: How Actors Convey Subtlety in Close-ups

Robin Wright’s stillness in House of Cards is a brilliant example of how to achieve subtlety. By controlling her breath, she lets viewers in on her character’s inner tension without moving a muscle. A quick intake of breath or a slow exhale tells us exactly what she’s feeling.

Form Tribes and Make It a Team Sport

Learning alongside others enriches the acting training process. Form a scene study group with friends or colleagues and  set up virtual film discussion meetings or meet in person to discuss and break down the scenes that you’re watching.

Group Exercise:

• Pick a genre (e.g., romantic comedy, thriller, or drama).
• Watch key scenes across different films or shows in that genre.
• Observe and discuss: What thoughts, actions, behaviors, and rhythms (pace), make each genre unique? How do comedic timing and pacing differ from suspenseful moments? How can this be replicated?

Practical Example: Finding Techniques to Incorporate

Optional Exercise: Try incorporating a similar gesture or subtle physical cue into a scene you’re working on. Use it to convey an underlying intention or feeling and see how it shifts your performance.

Audition Preparation: Understand the Show and the Genre

To prepare thoroughly for an audition, knowing the show’s tone and key characters is essential to success. Here’s how to approach audition preparation strategically:

1. Watch the Pilot and Another Episode
   If the show is established, watch the pilot and at least one episode from a later season. By watching multiple episodes, you’ll better understand main characters, relationships, story arcs, and the tone of the show. Avoid jumping into the audition without knowing the series—watching it first allows you to pick up on essential details quickly.
2. Research the Creative Team’s Other Work
   If it’s a new pilot or a show in production, look up other shows the creative team has been involved in. Often, the tone or style will be similar, allowing you to align your audition approach with their vision (Smith, 2021).
3. Call your Friends
   Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends or colleagues if you’re working on an audition with complex themes. For example, if you’re tackling acting out a challenging scene dealing with emotions such as loss or betrayal, discuss the scene with others. Having outside input on the scene can help spark ideas or approaches you may not have considered.

Identify Core Stories and Characters

It’s important to explore universal themes in films and shows that align with classic archetypes (Campbell, 1949). Here are some examples: 

1. The Reluctant Hero (e.g., Lord of the Rings)
2. A Stranger Comes to Town (e.g., High Noon or E.T.)
3. The Need for Redemption (e.g., Rocky or Apocalypse Now)
4. The Quest for Revenge (e.g., Gladiator)

By connecting your acting work to universal themes like these, you add a timeless quality to your performances.

Exercise: Look up Joseph Campbell’s story archetypes and identify five movies or shows that feature each one. This awareness of recurring themes enhances your understanding of universal storytelling.

Understand Camera Angles and Shots

Knowing how the camera works informs you of how much of the story is being told by the actor’s performance vs the camera moves. It helps you understand where to focus your energy and how to adapt your performance for the screen. Here’s a guide to commonly used setups and their effects

1. Pre-populating a Scene 

As you enter a scene, experience what your character is thinking and feeling before they interact with others. For example, pause just as you step into a scene and have a core thought reaction that reveals the character’s emotional state. This moment sets the tone and gives the audience insight into your inner world.

Jeremy Strong in Succession (2018-present)
Kendall Roy often pauses before entering family gatherings or corporate meetings. His slow breathing, hollow-eyed stares, and micro-expressions convey insecurity, ambition, and emotional fragility, charging the room with tension before he speaks.

Adam Driver in Marriage Story (2019)
In a key confrontation scene, Charlie pauses outside Nicole’s apartment before entering. His stillness and measured breath suggest he’s mentally preparing for the difficult conversation, creating tension before any words are spoken.

2. Post-populating a Scene

As your character leaves at the end of a scene, allow yourself to reveal your true emotions – but only once the other characters are no longer watching. This technique allows you to express vulnerability while acting, which gives the audience a deeper understanding of your character’s emotional arc.

Zendaya in Euphoria (2019-present)
After tense confrontations or manipulative behavior, Rue often walks away with a hardened look. Once in private, her face crumples into grief, shame, or desperation, revealing the emotional toll of her addiction and personal struggles. 

 Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman (2020)
Cassandra maintains a calm, icy demeanor during encounters with predators. After they leave, she often exhales sharply, clenches her fists, or shows a flicker of vulnerability, hinting at the deep pain driving her quest for justice.

Florence Pugh in Black Widow (2021)
Yelena Belova hides her pain and sarcasm behind a tough, playful persona during missions. After emotionally charged scenes, she quietly breaks down or breathes heavily when no one is looking, showing her suppressed grief and longing for family.

3. Over-the-Shoulder and Two-Shot

Knowing that your expressions will be captured over another character’s shoulder allows you to focus on conveying more subtle emotions. Evaluate how actors use this over-the-shoulder camera setup to reveal reactions without speaking, adding layers of emotion to the scene.

Understanding Shots to Enhance Storytelling

Different camera shots tell stories, define relationships, and reveal character traits (Thompson & Bordwell, 2003):

• Close-ups: Show vulnerability and draw attention to emotions.
• Wide shots: Establish context or character distance.
• Over-the-shoulder shots: Highlight perspective, letting the audience see what one character sees.

Exercise: Observe these shots in a favourite film or show. How does each setup affect your emotional connection to the characters? Recreate scenes with these setups in mind to practice adapting your performance.

Scene and Genre Study for Auditions

Familiarizing yourself with the scene type and genre of the project can greatly improve your audition prep. Note what makes a show’s visual language unique and how specific shots communicate character dynamics.

Keep Practicing with Others

Finally, the journey is better when shared. Get together with friends or colleagues regularly to break down scenes, rehearse, and stay engaged. Consistent practice, both solo and with peers, is invaluable for staying in the flow of your craft and understanding the medium.

Practice all these techniques regularly, whether you’re between auditions or preparing for your next role. Each step you take not only builds skill but also confidence. Keep exploring, keep practicing, and above all, stay curious.

References

• Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press.
• Fincher, D. (Director). (2013). House of Cards [Television series]. Netflix.
• Gladwell, M. (2005). Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Little, Brown.
• Smith, R. (2021). Audition Techniques for Television and Film. Actor’s Guide Press.
• Thompson, K., & Bordwell, D. (2003). Film Art: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill.