Good acting can potentially save a bad script and bad acting can sometimes ruin a good story.

Many different types of actors exist, including extras, nonprofessionals, professionals, and super stars. Whatever role they play, though, the actors are typically just another tool of the director to protray emotion and convey ideas.

Directors handle actors in different ways, though. Alfred Hitchcock was very controlling and liked to plan all the small details, leaving little decision making to the actors. Robert Altman on the other hand lets his actors ad lib a lot, coming up with their own lines and changing the characters as the filming progresses.

Movie Acting Links

• Acting for Animators

  This is a book with mixed reviews about how to have your animated characters to act.

• Screen Actors Studio

  From the site: The Screen Actors Studio began in 1992 with a handful of students, one teacher and a small converted church hall in Geelong. It was established in response to the growing television industry needs as an alternative for actors to launch their careers.