Acting on Zoom

A workshop aimed at actors working in the new medium. When it comes to acting, each medium requires a specific technique Stage, screen, radio etc all have their opportunities and their limitations. 

Within each category, the techniques change as appropriate. On stage, the techniques for classical theatre in a large auditorium are different from those when performing a psychological play in a very small intimate theatre. 

Similarly, for screen acting there must be different techniques for different genres. Intense psychological drama, psychological horror, “slasher” horror, block buster action film, comedy, TV soaps, sit coms; there are many types of screen and TV genres and the acting techniques employed must be adapted to each one.

We are now facing a new medium which I will call ZOOM (although there are several platforms that use similar technology). The actor is sitting (usually) facing a fixed camera and alone in a physical space, while at the same time acting and interacting with other actors – also sitting alone in their space. These physical realities are completely different from what we have experienced before and are trained to work in; and we are going to have to adapt to them. 

Would it be considered to be a form of “screen acting”? In some ways yes, but in others not at all. Zoom performances are often live, so in that way the medium is akin to theatre. The players and the audience are together  (albeit in a virtual sense geographically) at the same time.

When acting for the screen, the actor is not responsible in any way for the image that the audience sees. That is controlled by the director, the camera operator and ultimately the editor.

On screen, things like the size of shot alter the mood of the scene in ways which directors and camera operators understand and manipulate to obtain the required effect. The ultimate rhythm of the final cut is determined by the editing. L cuts and J cuts, the editing choices of wide shots, close ups, mid shots, all contribute to the dramatic experience. 

When it comes to depth of field – another way to enhance dramatic effect – the whole panoply of film making comes into play; choice of lens, filters, pulling focus, lighting, etc. etc. All controlled by the rest of the team involved in film making.

Leaving  the actor free to get on with the job of acting.  On Zoom, the actor has 100% control over (and responsibility for) the image presented. The size of the shot, the rhythm of the performance, the depth of field, even the background are all totally in the control of the actor. These options are not available using standard film making techniques; however if we as actors develop a new set of techniques and skills we can make these options accessible to us.

There are more and more technological advances being made at lightning speed in the development of the medium (OBS and other software) and if we, as actors, are going to keep up – we are going to have to adapt as quickly as they are. 

This workshop is an experimental look into what I have learnt so far from doing several Zoom performances and watching many others. The traps and pitfalls are many; but the potential is limitless .