Acting

A double is a person who stands in for an actor during scenes where the actor’s presence is not possible or practical. This can include performing stunts, dangerous actions, or scenes requiring specific skills that the main actor may not possess. Doubles are also used for scenes involving nudity or body-specific actions. Their goal is to help maintain the continuity of the performance and ensure safety during challenging or high-risk moments.

An ensemble cast refers to a group of actors who all play significant roles in a production, rather than having one lead actor or actress. Each actor contributes to the story, and their performances are equally important to the overall narrative. In an ensemble cast, there is a focus on collaboration and teamwork among the actors, with each character playing a crucial part in advancing the plot and creating a balanced and dynamic performance.

A character actor is an actor who specializes in playing distinctive, memorable, or unconventional roles, often in supporting parts rather than leading roles. They are skilled at transforming themselves to fit a wide range of characters, each with unique traits or quirks. Character actors are known for their ability to add depth and authenticity to these roles, making significant contributions to the story and the overall performance, even if they are not the central focus of the production.

A leading man is an actor who plays the main male role in a film, television show, or theatrical production. This actor typically portrays the central character around whom the story revolves and is often featured in the most prominent and significant scenes. The leading man is usually the primary focus of the narrative, and his performance drives much of the plot. He often plays a heroic, romantic, or otherwise crucial role that defines the overall direction of the story.

A leading lady is an actress who plays the main female role in a film, television show, or theatrical production. She is typically the central female character around whom the story primarily revolves. The leading lady is featured in significant and prominent scenes and often plays a key role in the narrative, whether as a heroine, romantic interest, or pivotal figure in the story. Her performance is crucial to driving the plot and engaging the audience.

A ham is an actor who performs in an exaggerated, overly dramatic, or showy manner. This type of actor tends to overemphasize their emotions or actions, often drawing attention to themselves in a way that seems excessive. The term can be used both critically and humorously to describe someone who seeks to steal the spotlight with their flamboyant performance.

A supporting actor is an actor who plays a secondary, yet important, role in a film, television show, or theatrical production. While not the central character, the supporting actor's role is crucial to advancing the story and enhancing the performance of the main characters. Supporting actors often provide essential contributions to the plot, offer depth to the story, and help create a well-rounded narrative. Their performances complement the lead actors and contribute significantly to the overall production.

A voice actor is an actor who provides the voice for characters in animated films, television shows, video games, or other media that require vocal performances. Unlike traditional acting, voice actors perform only through their voice, without physical presence or on-screen appearance. Their work involves conveying emotions, personality, and character traits purely through vocal expression, often using different tones, accents, and inflections to bring animated characters or voice-over roles to life.

A bit part is a small, often minor role in a film, television show, or stage production. It typically involves a brief appearance and limited dialogue, but can be important for the overall story or to support the main characters. Bit parts are usually played by actors who do not have a significant presence in the production but contribute to the scene or narrative in a small but meaningful way.

A stand-in is a person who temporarily takes over someone else's role or responsibilities while that person is unavailable. For example, in film production, a stand-in might be used to help with lighting or camera setups when the main actor is not present or on a break. In other settings, a stand-in might cover for someone in a meeting or take over a task at work if the regular person is on vacation or out sick. The stand-in helps ensure that activities continue smoothly during the absence of the usual person.

A starlet is a young and promising female actor who is gaining attention and is often promoted as a future star. She typically appears in smaller roles or supporting parts but is recognized for her potential to achieve greater success and prominence in the entertainment industry. The term highlights both her current visibility and the anticipation of her future career achievements.

A tragedian is an actor who excels in performing serious and dramatic roles, whether in stage plays, films, or television shows. This actor is known for their ability to portray intense emotions and complex characters, typically involving themes of suffering, conflict, and moral dilemmas. The tragedian's performance often focuses on the deeper, more poignant aspects of human experience.

An understudy is an actor who is trained to take over the role of another performer in a play, film, or television show if they are unable to perform. The understudy learns the lines, movements, and cues of the other actor and is prepared to step in at short notice to ensure the production can continue smoothly.

A walk-on is a minor acting role in a play, film, or television show that requires little or no dialogue and usually involves a brief appearance. The walk-on role is often non-speaking and serves to add atmosphere or fill out a scene without significantly impacting the main storyline.

An acting coach is a professional who helps actors improve their skills and performance techniques. They provide guidance on aspects such as character development, voice control, and emotional expression. Acting coaches work with individuals or groups to refine their craft, prepare for auditions, and enhance their overall performance in theater, film, or television.

A bad guy is a character in a story, movie, or television show who acts as the antagonist or villain. This character typically opposes the protagonist and engages in harmful or malevolent actions, creating conflict and tension within the narrative. The bad guy is often responsible for creating obstacles or problems that the hero or main character must overcome.

A cameo is a brief appearance by a well-known actor or public figure in a film, television show, or stage production. This role is usually small and often involves a fleeting or humorous appearance that stands out due to the actor's fame or the surprise element of their involvement.

A co-star is an actor who plays a significant role in a film, television show, or stage production alongside the main stars. While they may not be the primary lead, their character is important to the story and has substantial screen or stage time. Co-stars contribute significantly to the plot and often share notable scenes with the leading actors.

An extra is an actor who appears in a film, television show, or stage production in a non-speaking, background role. Their primary function is to fill out scenes and create a realistic setting, such as crowds in a street scene or guests at a party. Extras do not have lines and their roles are usually brief and supportive to the main action of the production.

A good guy is a character in a story, film, or television show who acts as the protagonist or hero. This character typically exhibits positive traits, such as bravery, kindness, and integrity, and works to overcome challenges or defeat antagonists. The good guy often embodies the values and morals that the audience is meant to support and admire.

A part is a role or character that an actor plays in a film, television show, play, or other performance. It includes the lines, actions, and interactions that the actor performs and contributes to the overall story. A part can vary in size from a major lead role to a minor or supporting role.

A role is a specific character or part that an actor plays in a film, television show, play, or other performance. It includes the character's lines, actions, and relationships within the story. The role defines what the actor does and how they interact with other characters, contributing to the overall narrative and performance.

A starring role is a prominent and central character in a film, television show, play, or other performance. The actor in a starring role is typically featured as the lead character, with the most significant amount of screen or stage time, and carries a major portion of the story. This role often drives the main plot and is crucial to the narrative's development.

A title role is a character in a film, television show, play, or other performance whose name is also the title of the production. This role is central to the story and often carries significant importance, as the narrative is closely focused on this character's journey or actions. The actor playing the title role is typically featured prominently and plays a crucial part in the performance.

A line is a specific piece of dialogue or text spoken by a character in a script or performance. It represents the words that an actor delivers during their role and is essential to the development of the character and the story. Lines can vary in length and importance, from brief remarks to extensive monologues.

A cue is a signal or prompt for an actor or crew member to begin a specific action or deliver a line during a performance. It can be a verbal signal, such as a line spoken by another character, or a visual or auditory signal, such as a light change or sound effect. Cues help ensure that the performance runs smoothly and that timing is synchronized among all elements of the production.

A prompt is a word or phrase spoken by an actor to signal another actor to start their dialogue or action. It serves as a cue for the other actor to remember their part and continue the performance seamlessly. Prompts are used to maintain the flow of the performance and prevent interruptions due to forgotten lines or missed cues.

Stage direction refers to the written instructions in a script that guide actors and crew members on how to perform their roles and manage the staging of the play. These directions describe actions, movements, and positioning of characters, as well as details about the setting, props, and lighting. Stage directions help convey the playwright’s vision and ensure that the performance aligns with their intended dramatic effect.

Casting is the process of selecting actors for specific roles in a film, television show, theater production, or other performance. It involves reviewing actors' auditions or previous work to determine who best fits each character based on their skills, appearance, and suitability for the role. Additionally, casting considers how well actors will interact and perform together, ensuring they have good chemistry and can create believable relationships on stage or screen. The goal of casting is to assemble a cast that will effectively bring the script and characters to life and contribute to the overall success of the production.

A screen test is an audition for actors, conducted on camera, to evaluate how well they perform in front of the camera and fit a particular role. During a screen test, actors are often asked to perform specific scenes or deliver lines to demonstrate their acting abilities, screen presence, and suitability for the part. The test helps directors, producers, and casting directors assess the actor's on-screen potential, chemistry with other actors, and overall fit for the project.

A baddy is a term used to describe a villain or antagonist in a story, film, television show, or play. This character is typically portrayed as the opponent of the hero or protagonist, creating conflict and obstacles that drive the plot. The baddy's actions and intentions are often driven by motives that are harmful or negative, making them the main source of trouble for the other characters.

An aside is a brief comment or speech made by a character in a play, typically directed to the audience and not intended to be heard by other characters on stage. It provides insight into the character's thoughts or feelings, often revealing information or personal reflections that are not conveyed through the main dialogue. Asides are used to add depth to the character, advance the plot, or provide a humorous or dramatic effect.

Dialogue is the spoken or written conversation between characters in a story. It is used to reveal character traits, advance the plot, and provide information about the setting or situation. Through dialogue, characters interact with each other, express their thoughts and feelings, and engage in conflicts or agreements. Effective dialogue helps to make the narrative more dynamic and engaging, offering insight into the characters' relationships and the unfolding events.

An exit in theater refers to the moment when an actor leaves the stage during a performance. It is a planned departure that is part of the script and can occur for various reasons, such as completing a scene or moving to a different location within the story. The actor’s exit is carefully timed to ensure it aligns with the flow of the performance and contributes to the development of the plot.

A love interest is a character in a story who is the focus of romantic affection from another character. This character often plays a significant role in the development of the plot, particularly in romance genres, and their relationship with the main character drives much of the emotional and narrative tension. The love interest might be someone who the main character is trying to win over, build a relationship with, or who complicates the main character's romantic journey.

A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character while they are alone on stage or believe they are alone. This type of speech reveals the character's inner thoughts, feelings, or reflections directly to the audience. It is used in plays to provide insight into a character’s personal struggles, motivations, or intentions, and is a way for the audience to understand the character's internal conflicts and perspective.

An actor's assistant is someone responsible for helping an actor with their costumes and wardrobe needs during a production. This role involves tasks such as ensuring costumes fit properly, making quick adjustments or repairs, and managing the wardrobe changes between scenes. The assistant also helps with organizing and maintaining the actor's clothing and accessories, ensuring they are ready and in good condition for each performance. Their work supports the actor in focusing on their performance by handling the practical aspects of costume management.

An actor-manager is a person who both performs as an actor and takes on managerial responsibilities within a theater company. This role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, including organizing productions, handling administrative tasks, and making decisions about the direction of the company. At the same time, the actor-manager also performs in the company's plays, often taking on key roles. This dual role allows them to influence the creative and operational aspects of the company while actively contributing to its performances.

A cast refers to the group of actors and actresses who are chosen to play roles in a production. This includes all the performers who bring the characters in the script to life, from lead roles to supporting and minor roles. The cast works together to portray the story and contribute to the overall performance.

A matinee idol is a highly admired and popular actor known for their charismatic presence and leading roles, often in romantic or dramatic parts. They are celebrated for their charm and appeal, attracting a dedicated following of fans.

A movie star is a prominent actor or actress who has gained significant fame and recognition for their work in films. This person is often known for their leading roles in major motion pictures and has a strong presence in the media and public eye. Movie stars are typically celebrated for their talent, charisma, and ability to draw audiences to theaters, making them key figures in the film industry.

A prompter is someone who assists actors by providing them with their lines or cues during a performance if they forget or need help. The prompter usually sits out of view from the audience and quietly gives reminders to ensure the show runs smoothly. Their role is crucial in keeping the performance on track and helping actors stay in character.

A stuntman is a professional who performs dangerous or physically demanding actions in place of an actor. They execute risky movements, such as fights, falls, or car crashes, to ensure that scenes are both exciting and safe. Stuntmen are skilled in performing these actions safely and are often trained in martial arts, gymnastics, or other physical disciplines. Their work helps create dynamic and believable action sequences while protecting the main actors from harm.

A stunt woman is a professional who performs dangerous or physically demanding actions in place of an actress. She handles risky movements, such as fights, falls, or car crashes, to ensure that scenes are both thrilling and safe. Stunt women are trained in various physical skills, including martial arts, gymnastics, and other techniques, to perform these stunts safely and effectively. Their work enhances action sequences while protecting the main actresses from injury.

A trouper is an actor or performer who is known for their dependable and enthusiastic attitude toward their work. They are characterized by their commitment to their role, their resilience in the face of challenges, and their dedication to delivering a strong performance regardless of the circumstances.

A press agent is a professional responsible for managing and promoting the public image of an individual or organization, often within the entertainment industry. They handle media relations, organize press events, write press releases, and work to secure coverage in newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets to enhance their client's visibility and reputation.

A monologue is a long speech delivered by a single character in a play, film, or other performance. It allows the character to express their thoughts, emotions, or intentions directly to the audience or other characters. Monologues can be used to provide insight into a character's inner world, advance the plot, or reveal important information.

An ad lib is an unscripted or spontaneous remark or piece of dialogue delivered by an actor or speaker during a performance or speech. It typically occurs when the performer improvises, deviating from the written script to respond to a situation or add personal flair. Ad libs can be used to enhance a performance, address unexpected circumstances, or engage more directly with the audience.

Characterization is the technique used by actors to create and portray a distinct character in a performance. This involves developing a character's personality, mannerisms, voice, and behavior to make them believable and compelling. Through careful study of the script and role, and by using various acting techniques, an actor shapes how their character interacts with others and responds to situations, thus bringing the character to life on stage or screen.

A screen actor is someone who performs roles in movies, television shows, or other filmed productions. Unlike stage actors who perform live, screen actors work in front of a camera, often having to deliver their lines and actions in smaller, more subtle ways to suit the medium. They need to be able to convey emotions and reactions that are captured by the camera, often filming scenes out of sequence and multiple times to get the right take.