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ACTING
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Lights!
Camera! Action!
These
words bring a thrill to one’s heart and give rise to
dreams galore. Is there anyone, I wonder, who has not been
bitten by the acting bug? Be it theatre or cinema, the lure
of the limelight is bewitching.
Hundreds
of individuals everyday dream of making it big in the acting
industry. Stories of hardship and struggles can do nothing
to dampen the enthusiasm of these wannabe actors / actresses.
Movies, theatre, teleserials, advertisements
- there is a range of options for them. Someone dreams of
being Sharukh, while the other wants to be Naseeruddin Shah.
Whoever be the role model, everyone hopes to touch the stars.
There
are no specific courses that lead you to
the golden gates of success and stardom. In the right social
and professional environment, even an untrained aspirant can
get noticed by interested parties (its all about luck
and timing pal!) A mentor in the world
of theatre, film or television may be able to obtain a call
for an audition for an untrained beginner. Amateur performances
in local events may lead to a talented actor getting noticed.
However, do not be too hopeful - there is no guarantee of
any such thing happening and you leading a sustained tenure
in this profession.
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Modeling
too, allows you to get ‘noticed’
(for your talent, hopefully!) and make a grand entry into
films or television. A model is familiar with the stage, has
a sense of rhythm (and all this is besides being photogenic
with a marvelous face and figure - not to forget poise and
professionalism!) If you have all this and more - acting assignments
will fall into your lap (sounds easy??)
For
all the not-so-lucky, mere mortals who have to make their
presence felt (no chance of getting ‘noticed’!!),
training and education is possible through degree / diploma
courses in drama / acting through important universities and
institutes. It is a long wait (and hard work, of course!)
of 2-3 years (full time acting course) before you are professionally
qualified to face the world and vice versa!
You
are required to have successfully completed your +2 or an
equivalent level of education before you take the plunge.
Moreover, audition, interview and aptitude testing is what
you have to go through. Previous participation in drama at
school level and / or with amateur groups is essential. Your
knowledge and awareness of the world of theatre, films, television,
as well as your power to express in a language will be assessed.
The practical component of the aptitude test would call for
an oral analysis of plays provided, enactment of dramatic
passages, display of skills in dancing, singing, playing of
instruments, yoga etc.
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The
National School Of Drama,
New Delhi imparts quality education and training to
graduates in acting, design and other disciplines related
to the dramatic arts and theatre. Some of us can only
think of movies when anyone mentions acting. Well, there
is theatre too - for the cultured,
refined and educated lot who watch and appreciate old
and new dramatists and playwrights. Actors / actresses
need to be learned in the fields of
art and literature in order to ‘feel
their part’. They might not earn a whole lot of
money,
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to recognition. |
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If this
seems tough - have no fear!! There is always an easy way out
- Mumbai has a horde of ex-actors and other professionals
who run private acting courses
and will be able to train you in anything and everything you
need to know about acting in movies (for a considerable amount
of money, of course!!!) e.g. Roshan Taneja’s and Padmini
Kolhapuri’s acting classes. If 3 years sounds like a
long wait and you are loaded with enthusiasm (and money!!)
- go right ahead! Do I even need to mention that you should
possess the ability to act??? I certainly hope not!!
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Did I
say anything about timing in this
profession?? Well, here’s an example!! Hrithik
Roshan, the latest heart throb of guys and girls
the nation over, led his film to an unbelievable 99.8%
collections at the box office (and that too, in a week’s
time). Not only is this guy a dream come true for the silver
screen, his timing is perfect too, as the film industry and
the audience were getting weary
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of the familiar
old faces. We get our money’s worth as we watch him perform,
while he laughs all the way to the bank. (Let us not
even talk about the kind of money involved in this game!!)
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| There are no nights and days in
the acting profession. Total commitment,,
dedication and professionalism is what is desired from
a true actor. Apart from being ‘natural’, a
high degree of imagination and sensitivity is required
so that the actor can get the ‘feel’ of a role
and interpret it accordingly (‘delivering’ is
everything in this profession!) Plain and simple acting
is not enough - a well-modulated voice with proper diction
and intonation, dancing, singing, performing dare devil
stunts are all part and parcel of this profession, indispensable
for enthralling the audience!!! |
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| Energy,
unbounded enthusiasm, optimism and versatility
will help you go on and on and on and...
Life will never be a comforting
bed of roses. If you are prepared for the limelight,
be equally prepared to be torn apart by criticism from
colleagues, directors, producers, mentors and professional
critics. You will have to sacrifice your private life
on the altars of stardom and fame. (Strictly for those
who will make it really big!! The rest can await their
turn!!) Each day is a gamble - a rat race to scramble
to the top. But the rewards are great too - fame,
success, money...
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And
if this excites you - go ahead - the big, bad
world awaits you!!! As Shakespeare
said "All world is a stage and we are
but actors" - so friends! Play your role
...
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