Last week, I went to an audition and heard the actors in the next room as they read. I heard them doing a lot of yelling and emoting. I decided that I would play the scene very low-key and quietly. I CRUSHED the audition! Not only did I get the part in the short film for which I auditioned, the director offered me the lead in a feature he's doing later this year.
I've been doing it this way for years. I found it to be the easiest and most realistic way to act. You are present and therefore open for any emotion that shows up. And of course whatever emotion shows up, let it show and it will be appropriate. Much easier than trying to decide what emotion you want to have at a certain point in a script, and then coming up with all these tricks and techniques to try and evoke that chosen emotion.
What I got from this is the old adage, less is more. Acting in front of a camera takes continual practice and study, it is something I continue to work on. Thanks for posting this great interview.
Being present is so important. There is no way I can control how you will receive what I shared with you but having joy while doing it goes a long way!
Very good advice. It sounds very much in line with what his teacher, the great Stella Adler, taught. She once wrote, "You've come here to learn how to act, but I want to teach you not to act." She continued and said, "When you're acting you're *doing* something, but you have to learn to not do it differently when you act it." She always spoke of being truthful and being epic, while still only giving an idea or action what it needs, and not to fictionalize and overreact. Thanks for sharing!
I took a class at NYFA and he was a the guest speaker and he said the same thing. hearing it stripped down from an acting legend really drives the point home...
I've seen this clip before, and Robert Deniro is right with regards to acting. Also, in Michael Shurtleff's book "Audition," Deniro was another big Theater actor lost to Hollywood because he is fabulous on camera and that's why he's sharing this sound advice with us.
In my opinion he was saying be realistic. Don't focus on what you think the character would do. Just be the character and like the actions come to you naturally as you become that person.
I think is advice is true. Being a stage actor, I sometimes catch myself in film auditions giving more than is necessary. It's something I continue to work on and get better at. I practice filming myself sometimes and continually learn that it is not necessary to telegraph anything, that less really is often more powerful in film and TV auditions. I do find my "bigness" has helped me get commercial castings, however.
Simplicity and conversational reality. The camera will read your thoughts. This is what I strive for every time in class and in the audition room. Thanks for sharing Amy.
Please keep the videos coming!! Robert DeNiro presented a different way on how to "act natural." For people, it's hard to know what "act natural" means when there are various cast and crew members standing behind you. It's not enough. It's about the method of being yourself, as each person acts differently from each other. Just being yourself is enough, and trying to give something different than yourself comes across fake and incredulous!
Can someone explain to me why this is so hard to do? My take? I do think what's missing is that - while you don't have to DO anything. Something has to be going on inside. And it's tapping into that deep emotional well that's hard. Finding and connecting to the specifics of what's happening. That's what must fill the NOT DOING. And when this is going on inside - that's when you don't feel the need to do.
AmyJoBerman.com Acting Tip | Robert Deniro Shares a Great Tip on Acting As a Casting Director I see actors do the OPPOSITE of what Robert Deniro talks about in this video every day. Watch this quick tip and apply it to your acting and your callback ratio will skyrocket! Challenge: In 4 words or less, comment with what you got from Robert Deniro's acting advice. For more great acting tips right to your inbox, subscribe to my private mailing list at AmyJoBerman.com
Yes, yes , yes... less IS more! Or the rule of K.I.S.S. which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. Too many times, we try to telegraph what we want an audience to interpret and feel. This is fake and will not be successful. Rather, we must live truthfully in the moment and allow the audience to be affected in their own personal way. Each person will connect with something different about our story, and it's not for us to say what means more and what means less.
Well, in my opinion there is more to it from what Robert's saying here. For this to work the actor has to be a 3D full character that they understand, empathize and relate to the actor. And the actor has to have good technique that they can prepare to be in the scene and be present in the scene. And I think people over act because they are not trained and don't understand how to be real living in the moment of the scene.
A simple explanation as to why Leonardo DiCaprio, Scorsese's new go to-guy, has the intensity of a kitten. If you're angry, be angry, don't pull your face like a moody toddler.
It was De Niro who cast Leo twice in This Boys Life and Marvin's Room and who suggested to Marty that he work with Leo. Bob has also stated countless times that Leo is the actor of his generation that he respects most. De Niro is a stoic person in real life, DiCaprio is energetic. They both keep it real. And, by the way, I have never seen a role where Leo has tried to play an intimidating character like Bob. A lot of his characters, like in Revolutionary Road, are supposed to be childish. When he does play hard characters - like in Blood Diamond - he pulls it off brilliantly.
TipsOnActing When you answered exactly to 'Marius Sandbæk Lystad' you revealed that you don't understand De Niro at all. DiCaprio is a great actor and De Niro himself said so. It was De Niro who cast Leo twice in This Boys Life and Marvin's Room and who suggested to Marty that he work with Leo. Bob has also stated countless times that Leo is the actor of his generation that he respects most.
Hamilton7776 First of all, I couldn't care less what De Niro says about DiCaprio. I am able to think for myself. That said, in Marvin's Room and This Boy's Life, DiCaprio was a boy, and played boys. At which he was great. He was an amazing actor of boys. Of men however, in the lineage of De Niro in Scorsese's films, he's a moody kitten.
Marius Sandbæk Lystad You've either total idiot or a deliberate liar. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together could tell that the two actors play very different types of characters. That you can't tell the difference between the actors and the characters they play, that you make a comment like that shows how dumb you are.
Last week, I went to an audition and heard the actors in the next room as they read. I heard them doing a lot of yelling and emoting. I decided that I would play the scene very low-key and quietly. I CRUSHED the audition! Not only did I get the part in the short film for which I auditioned, the director offered me the lead in a feature he's doing later this year.
AMAZING!
I'd appreciate any feedback you could give me. My apologies for the strong language in the first 40 seconds.
Congrats
Nice one man
Did you make the feature?
"Allow the audience to read into it, instead of telling them what they should feel-"-so simple, so brilliant!
So true, the best acting is when you can't tell someone is ACTING!
Another way I sometimes like to think about this is: don't be afraid to be boring.
I've been doing it this way for years. I found it to be the easiest and most realistic way to act. You are present and therefore open for any emotion that shows up. And of course whatever emotion shows up, let it show and it will be appropriate. Much easier than trying to decide what emotion you want to have at a certain point in a script, and then coming up with all these tricks and techniques to try and evoke that chosen emotion.
Awesome.
Love it. Just BE in the scene is my takeaway. I don't need to show anyone anything. I just need to BE. I am declaring my commitment to really BEING.
Such a beautiful piece of advice. Strong actors have the capacity to let go. And to me, thats exactly it: To Let Go.
110% agree! When you walk in the room, you own it just be yourself! relax as if you have known the ones in the room for a life time! Gratitude..
You got it!
God Bless dear Lady!!
yeah but the tricky part of being yourself is that only a very few people can be themselves.
What I got from this is the old adage, less is more. Acting in front of a camera takes continual practice and study, it is something I continue to work on. Thanks for posting this great interview.
That's the opposite of what he said, you don't have to do anything!
I get that note all the time! From now on I will channel my inner Robert Deniro before I walk into the room. Thanks again Amy Jo.
haha YES! We should all channel our inner Deniro :)
Do the work, and then trust it. Trust the work, trust yourself.
I totally agree. Less Can Sometimes Be More! Don't over act it and force the feeling on the audience
Trusting your instincts!!Have the confidence to just 'be'. Be present, keep it simple, trust yourself.
It's all about instinct and letting go.
Being present is so important. There is no way I can control how you will receive what I shared with you but having joy while doing it goes a long way!
Very good advice.
It sounds very much in line with what his teacher, the great Stella Adler, taught.
She once wrote, "You've come here to learn how to act, but I want to teach you not to act." She continued and said, "When you're acting you're *doing* something, but you have to learn to not do it differently when you act it."
She always spoke of being truthful and being epic, while still only giving an idea or action what it needs, and not to fictionalize and overreact.
Thanks for sharing!
To me, I feel what he is saying is to just go with the flow of it, and to let the audience react organically.
I took a class at NYFA and he was a the guest speaker and he said the same thing. hearing it stripped down from an acting legend really drives the point home...
That's awesome Jay
I've seen this clip before, and Robert Deniro is right with regards to acting. Also, in Michael Shurtleff's book "Audition," Deniro was another big Theater actor lost to Hollywood because he is fabulous on camera and that's why he's sharing this sound advice with us.
This is great!! Another wonderful tip from Robert Redford: Listen, rather than "acting" listening: Really listen ;)
Saw this a long time ago. Was useful in my last two speaking roles. Both directors seemed to be very happy with my work.
Feelings give what acting takes.
Thanks Amy! Instincts and impulses, moment to moment, that's what makes it real. That's what audiences connect with. Don't force anything!
I like that and that's where the spontaneity happens
Be who you are.
Exactly, Guerin.
In my opinion he was saying be realistic. Don't focus on what you think the character would do. Just be the character and like the actions come to you naturally as you become that person.
Interesting. So instead of trying too hard to express the emotion you have to tone it down and feel it instead.
I think is advice is true. Being a stage actor, I sometimes catch myself in film auditions giving more than is necessary. It's something I continue to work on and get better at. I practice filming myself sometimes and continually learn that it is not necessary to telegraph anything, that less really is often more powerful in film and TV auditions. I do find my "bigness" has helped me get commercial castings, however.
Simplicity and conversational reality. The camera will read your thoughts. This is what I strive for every time in class and in the audition room. Thanks for sharing Amy.
You bet :)
There is power in control. Less is more.
Although De Niro says to keep it simple , I think it's great watching De Niro , making 'simple' look so amazing.
One of my favorite sayings "Less is More" love ya Mr. De Niro well be working together one day
There ya go!
I love this...simple...not easy.
YES!
The meaning I take from this is sometimes it's best to be a blank canvas. Allow the audience to paint the scene with their emotions.
Interesting take :)
Yes.This is great advice. It's not what you show its what you know.
Please keep the videos coming!! Robert DeNiro presented a different way on how to "act natural." For people, it's hard to know what "act natural" means when there are various cast and crew members standing behind you. It's not enough. It's about the method of being yourself, as each person acts differently from each other. Just being yourself is enough, and trying to give something different than yourself comes across fake and incredulous!
FANTASTIC advice! love this
Thanks for sharing, it is great to have this kind of refreshments!,
Isn't it?!
I've never seen this, thanks Javi!
Thanks for sharing Amy. Advice taken.
You're welcome Grover!
Can someone explain to me why this is so hard to do? My take?
I do think what's missing is that - while you don't have to DO anything. Something has to be going on inside. And it's tapping into that deep emotional well that's hard. Finding and connecting to the specifics of what's happening. That's what must fill the NOT DOING. And when this is going on inside - that's when you don't feel the need to do.
This is Fantastic advice. To just BE !!! It sounds easy but WE make it Hard!!!
AmyJoBerman.com
Acting Tip | Robert Deniro Shares a Great Tip on Acting
As a Casting Director I see actors do the OPPOSITE of what Robert Deniro talks about in this video every day. Watch this quick tip and apply it to your acting and your callback ratio will skyrocket! Challenge: In 4 words or less, comment with what you got from Robert Deniro's acting advice.
For more great acting tips right to your inbox, subscribe to my private mailing list at AmyJoBerman.com
Great advice!
Tells you to do nothing
But goes ahead and terrifies everyone in goodfellas with just his eyes 😂
Thank you for sharing this great acting advice. Many novices would surely inspired by these tips!
Awesome 👌 who knew the less you do the better 😃
Try it!
"You don't have to do anything...just do it...it will take care of itself."
Amen.
Brilliant advice....Unfortunately doesn't apply or work in Auditions....Only when you are filming.
Less is my new best friend! Thank you for that tip :) !!
Cheers to your new friend!
Yes, yes , yes... less IS more! Or the rule of K.I.S.S. which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. Too many times, we try to telegraph what we want an audience to interpret and feel. This is fake and will not be successful. Rather, we must live truthfully in the moment and allow the audience to be affected in their own personal way. Each person will connect with something different about our story, and it's not for us to say what means more and what means less.
Very helpful info! Keep it simple etc. Thank you!
Thanks for the video upload. Not sure about your use of the indefinite article in the title though.
Thank you for sharing Amy. It's as simple as that. Yet an actor over acts why?
Well, in my opinion there is more to it from what Robert's saying here. For this to work the actor has to be a 3D full character that they understand, empathize and relate to the actor. And the actor has to have good technique that they can prepare to be in the scene and be present in the scene. And I think people over act because they are not trained and don't understand how to be real living in the moment of the scene.
That just being in the moment, less is more. Truthfully
100%
Very informative
A lovely notion!
:)
Be in the moment. That is all that is needed. Just be and through your being, you will do.
Sounds so simple, right? lol
SO simple, but yet sometimes sometimes so elusive.
With that intro music I was expecting a Vs Live episode.
A slice of life.... so just live and your character will live as well :-)
was this from inside actors studio? where can I find the full interview?
He speaks the Truth! See 4 words! wooohooo!
Dont tell, just do.
In the words of God to Bender from Futurama, "When you do something right they hardly notice it at all."
(because it's so natural.)
LOL so true
Less is Better; the secret to acting is NOT to act. Looking forward to meeting you in class July 16.
that is the point... thank you for reminding me that :-)
We thank you Deniro!
Thank u
A nice reminder to keep it simple and do nothing.
I MUSTN'T SHOW
No you mustn't! :)
♥️💑♥️
♥️💑👌
Less is more.
Don't have to DO
We are human BEings, not human DOings, right?
TipsOnActing
Right. :-)
You must do the foundational work and then you can do as Mr. Deniro says - Just do it and it will take care of itself!
Just be.
Yes.
Don't act, just react
:)
Somebody show Will Smith this video. He tries SO HARD to show the emotion on his face.
Don't show, just be
Precisely.
More is doing less.
Exactly.
A simple explanation as to why Leonardo DiCaprio, Scorsese's new go to-guy, has the intensity of a kitten. If you're angry, be angry, don't pull your face like a moody toddler.
Exactly!
It was De Niro who cast Leo twice in This Boys Life and Marvin's Room and who suggested to Marty that he work with Leo.
Bob has also stated countless times that Leo is the actor of his generation that he respects most.
De Niro is a stoic person in real life, DiCaprio is energetic. They both keep it real. And, by the way, I have never seen a role where Leo has tried to play an intimidating character like Bob. A lot of his characters, like in Revolutionary Road, are supposed to be childish. When he does play hard characters - like in Blood Diamond - he pulls it off brilliantly.
TipsOnActing When you answered exactly to 'Marius Sandbæk Lystad' you revealed that you don't understand De Niro at all. DiCaprio is a great actor and De Niro himself said so. It was De Niro who cast Leo twice in This Boys Life and Marvin's Room and who suggested to Marty that he work with Leo. Bob has also stated countless times that Leo is the actor of his generation that he respects most.
Hamilton7776
First of all, I couldn't care less what De Niro says about DiCaprio. I am able to think for myself. That said, in Marvin's Room and This Boy's Life, DiCaprio was a boy, and played boys. At which he was great. He was an amazing actor of boys. Of men however, in the lineage of De Niro in Scorsese's films, he's a moody kitten.
Marius Sandbæk Lystad You've either total idiot or a deliberate liar. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together could tell that the two actors play very different types of characters. That you can't tell the difference between the actors and the characters they play, that you make a comment like that shows how dumb you are.
Just Be, don't Do
:)
Do more with less.
Whole lot of who shot John
Yes.This is great advice. It's not what you show its what you know.