Want to be a better screenwriter? Learn how actors think

Characters are the players in our stories. They participate in scenes, move the plot forward through action and dialogue, influence each other, evolve and change. Each has their own distinct backstory, personality, world view, and voice. When a writer does their best, digging deep into their characters, tapping into their souls, the players in our stories magically lift up off the printed page and come to life in a reader’s imagination.

And perhaps nowhere is this more important than with actors. For it is they who are tasked with bringing our characters to life.

Therefore here is a fundamental truth about the craft: Want to be a better screenwriter? Learn how actors think.

Actors and Crew put together this helpful resource: The Top Ten Best Books on Acting Ever Written. Right there at the top of the list is legendary actor and acting teacher Sandy Meisner, famous for his approach to teaching acting which has come to be known as the Meisner Technique.

Thanks to the magic of the web, you can see Meisner in action and hear dozens of actors talking about his methods. Here is Part 1 of a 7-part documentary called “Sanford Meisner: Theater’s Best Kept Secret:

For the rest of the documentary, click on More.

One of the best things you can do is take an acting class. An improv class. Work with the local theater. Anything to put you into contact with actors and learn to think how they think.

Ingest all of that. Let it settle into your consciousness. Then down into your subconscious. And when you write your characters, let yourself feel your way into the moment, always looking for the truth of how each character would act and react, and what they would say and not say.

HT to Ted Hope for the Actors and Crew link.

If anyone has other suggestions or resources for writers to learn how actors think, please click on Reply and post in comments.

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