Actors Role in Screenplays

Q: Thank you for staying after the meeting last night to share your experiences. I think it would be helpful for you, John, and Scott to share a little about the actors side of a screenplay. I believe it could help us as screenwriters to see how our screenplays are interpreted.
Once again, Thank you.


AO: Regarding actors and screenplays:
In order to make a compelling movie, you need to charge or better yet, electrify the emotions of the viewer. Get your audience involved. Make them care about your characters enough that they take sides and root for a particular outcome.

If you are a great screenwriter you will be able to do that on paper...and the tough part of the actors job is already done. If you are a sucky screenwriter the actor needs to fill in the gaps and bring to the table what is missing in the screenplay. A good actor will be able to do that.

For screenwriters, I highly recommend a book by Karl Iglesias titled:
WRITING FOR EMOTIONAL IMPACT: Advanced dramatic techniques to attract, engage and fascinate the reader from beginning to end. ISBN: 1595940286

For actors, I recommend some good scene study classes which will help you read and understand the written word, and help you translate the scenes into a real life situations with subtext and meaning.

Once the screenwriters and the actors have done their jobs - the editors and music composers can add their touch of magic and presto!

PS. I enjoyed the meeting very much last night as well.
Thank you for your time and attention and for your contributions to the group.

© 2007 Angela Oberer