Double-tap if you’ve ever heard the term “shifting eyes” or “darting eyes” in acting.
To clarify: we’re talking about the acting choice (not any sort of medical condition).
What is this, why do actors do it, and is this the missing piece to booking every dramatic role you go out for?
In dramatic roles, you might have (at times) seen an actor dart their eyes back and forth between the other actor’s eyes. Actors sometimes do this (either as a conscious choice, or a subconscious result) to connect better with the other actor.
This actually, subtly, happens in real life, too. When you look someone in the eyes, your gaze shifts from one eye to the other. You may not notice because you’re close to them and your own gaze is shifting. But if you hold someone’s gaze long enough, especially while talking, your gaze and their gaze will tend to shift slightly back and forth as you look one another in the eyes.
As for adding this into your toolbox, here’s what we’ll say:
Acting class is a great space to try out new techniques and ways to stay present/connected. But if something doesn’t feel authentic and ultimately takes you out of the scene, abort and try again.
Don’t do something just because you think we need to see it.
Remember, 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕒𝕝.
#themoreyouknow #thecastingdirectorscut #terminologytuesday #actorlife