Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 12/4/2008

Question
Hello there,
my name is Kathy, and i am having the biggest issue getting into character and developing mannerisms (that will stand out) for my character. I have the character synopsis, but for some reason i am still dealing with issues as to what to do... the general idea of my character is:
She is a strong woman, almost boyish... sarcastic, doesn't take any crap from anybody, bitchy, a typical tom-boy you could say.
usually this would be an easy task, but for some reason i am really struggling as to what i should do to get into character, and stay in character. i don't ever know what to do with my hands, or with the tones of my voice. i don't know how to meet in the middle of being girly, and boyish without going over the top. please hellpp!

Answer
Well, congratulate yourself.  You have just asked the single most difficult question I've had to answer since offering my services on this site.  (Seriously, though, GOOD QUESTION!!!)

One of the reasons I find this difficult is that it's hard to know exactly how to answer this without knowing which acting process you favor when approaching a role.  The two front runners are, of course, the Method (which, most often, is a modified Method from the one taught by Lee Strasberg), and the Meisner Technique; and this doesn't include other less known processes.

Therefore, I offer the following simple advice, geared toward the two major approaches:

If you were taught to internalize in your character development, consider externalizing - look at the way other characters react to your own.  Base your internalization on how your character would - and does - respond to them.

Conversely, if you were taught to externalize - think about how your character would feel in *any* given situation, about what makes your character unique in any given situation.  How does your character feel about each individual character?  How do your lines reflect that?  What type of internal dialogue does your character have about each of the others?

Always remember: the key to ALL of the processes is that the actors MUST make the characters real for the audience.  Most of the processes also demand that for the characters to be real for the audience, they MUST be real for the actor.  You have to find a point where you are not only willing, but actively comfortable, to forget who you are and allow the character to take control.  It can be unnerving for a young actor (sorry, but you didn't say your age), but if you do it well, the results can be amazing.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but I hope this helps.

Break a leg, and BY ALL MEANS let me know how you do!

-- Spyder