Hello, first post here--glad to be here,
I got stuck slightly last project with trying to get an actress to react to a magic trick in a seemingly realistic way. When I say realistic, I mean I am looking for a very convincing reaction that is far removed from a stock reaction that any actor could give. Something more genuine and nuanced, but still clear and powerful.
•I prepped her with a very brief character profile. I wanted her to exude an innocent, carefree feel.
•This was a web commercial for a magician so I eventually had him do a real trick for her to give her something to react to.
•I was concerned for her to stay in the moment, so I constantly emphasized it. And I wanted the moment to feel genuine to her.
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What would you have done to get this type of reaction?
I think this is tough water, because the actor is putting themselves out there with a very raw reaction and they could easily become self-conscious if the director isn't giving profound or reassuring feedback.
Best regards,
Kevin Camin