In modern day film, typecasting is used to select actors to portray a similar role or character. Typecasting is when you are chosen for a part based on what you look like or what you have successfully performed in the past. As an actor, a producer will most likely offer you jobs that they think you are suitable for. Your chances of being typecasted are mainly based on skill level, your willingness to challenge yourself, and your agent’s suggestions. Some actors transform their looks to fit the role they are auditioning for. For example, Hilary Swank cut her hair short and dyed it brown, as well as worked out to slim down to show her facial features for the film, “Boys Don’t Cry”. Swank won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance. Also, Robert De Niro worked out to get fit and then gained weight for the same role in “Raging Bull”. He won a Best Actor Oscar in 1980 for this performance.
But looks don’t always matter. I know we usually think of actors as good looking. However, there are at least ten actors who have been very successful in their acting career without focusing on their appearance. For example, Steve Buscemi is famous for playing oddballs. He has won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Award. Another example is Bill Murray. His work on Saturday Night Live lead to a great career. His comedic skills overshadowed his looks and lead to success in movies such as Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Groundhog Day.
Some actors are typecasted based on their looks, their personality, and the character they are best at portraying. Seth Rogen is regularly casted as the affable stoner. His weight has gone up and down, but what really matters is that his persona stays the same. He is always the likable guy who does the right thing. Michael Cera always plays the awkward teen. His roles are based on his young looks even though he is 26. When it comes to typecasting, we can get so used to actors playing a certain role because of their looks and have a difficult time seeing them playing anything else. An example of this is seeing Nicolas Cage, who usually plays a hero, play a love interest. It just doesn’t seem to work. He was accepted well in his hero role in National Treasure, but was not publicly accepted in his romantic role in City of Angels.
Looks are not all you need to become a successful actor. You need several other skills. It is important to be able to capture the attention of your audience and help them feel the emotion of the scene. You have to make the story come to life. Also, a great thing to do is be committed to the project, to not back out of the project or give up when you are rejected. Showing confidence is one of the best and most important characteristics for an actor to have. It will help you portray a character better and not hold back as someone who is shy would do. Having insight helps you react to a character and know what reaction your character would portray in that role.
Researching a role or having prior knowledge of a role will help you create the character that is appropriate for the project. Life experiences will also significantly help you create and express the emotions of the character. Physical skills are also important. Some actors do their own stunt work. For example, the actors in Indiana Jones had many action scenes such as running from the boulder and multiple fight and escape scenes. These were all very physically demanding roles.
Showing professionalism is also an important part of being successful. You should show respect to everyone, including directors, writers, and producers,. Great actors have an innate talent. They have a natural talent for performing. Working on your performance will help you to find the best way to bring your character to life. Also, wanting to be the best actor you can be will help you stay motivated to always work harder on becoming a better actor.
If you have everything you need to become famous actor the only thing holding you back is being discovered. When it comes to being discovered, you could be one of the lucky ones who are discovered by a talent agent by chance. For example, Charlize Theron was trying to cash a check and went nuts when the teller would not cash it. Luckily for her, a talent agent was standing behind her and gave her a card. Johnny Depp went on an audition to support a friend and was noticed and asked to read for a part and landed the role of Glen Lantz in “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Jennifer Lawrence was on vacation in New York when approached by a talent scout who took her picture, resulting in calls from agencies landing her a role in “Winter’s Bone”.
If you are not one of the lucky ones , there are some things that are important for you to have or do. Having talent and training will help you stand out and get noticed which gives you a better chance at success. It has been recommended that you train for at least five years. It also helps if you naturally look like what the director is looking for in a character they have in their mind. Going to the gym and staying in great shape does help a little. But it definitely boils down to having the right look at the right time. Having people in the industry respect your work and to be familiar with your work helps too. You should put yourself out there and do as many projects as you can that fit who you are as an artist.
Living in LA and New York gives you the best chance at being discovered by the right people. Once you are in the right city, put yourself out there in plays, acting classes, and workshops because they just might be watching.Your main goal should be to enjoy your acting and not always be focused on discovery. It seems the easiest way at being discovered is to have fun and loose yourself in acting because what is most important is loving what you are doing and not stressing about being famous.
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