The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio
Playing the Villain
Connection
You’re reading over the sides for your next audition when you suddenly realize that your character is a mass murder, criminal, cult leader, drug dealer, or terrorist. This can be daunting. How do you move past judgment and resistance to truly connect with such a character?
Kathy Bates in Misery
Without finding a real connection, you risk the peril of playing to an idea. As you delve into your craft, here are some considerations to keep in mind that will help you move beyond the judgement trap:
Every Character Is Human
When we prioritize acting as a primary art form, one crucial thing we must do is visualize the character as a three-dimensional human being. Doing this involves asking ourselves specific questions, such as, Why is the character like this? and What could be some specific circumstances that led the character to their current beliefs, behavior, or life path?
Gary Oldman in The Professional
As actors, a grasp of human psychology can help us see beyond superficiality and delve deeper into the character. What is motivating their behavior? Seeing the human side reminds us that the character had a mother and father ... or maybe they didn’t have parents. Maybe they were abused, ignored, abandoned, betrayed. We need to explore the character’s backstory. If it’s not mentioned in the text, we must figure it out. Imagining a backstory is the first step in discovering more about the humanity of the character. Once we grasp the character’s humanity, we can shed our judgments and approach them with empathy and understanding.
Empathy Is Key
Some of the most compelling villains possess a quality, conviction, or perspective that we can empathize with. The actor’s process is like detective work. We must delve into the character, probing their depths and uncovering our own complexities and triggers.
Ralph Finnes in Schindler’s List
Asking ourselves, “What can I relate to here?” is one way to begin. If we can empathize with the character and connect to what they need, we’re well on our way to getting closer to the heart of the character. Every villain believes they are justified in their actions.
Take the Leap
Acting is a creative process. There isn’t just one path to finding a belief system for a character’s motivation. Many actors get stuck because they think about everything literally. If we can’t relate to the actual things a character does or believes, we can approach it from a different perspective: What else does this feel like? What does this remind me of? Have you ever killed someone? Hopefully not! But that does not mean you can’t play a murderer - - we’ve all wanted to kill someone at times.
Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Sometimes, our own sense of decorum or morality prevents us from accepting the character’s behavior or even their words. In such cases, we must summon our artistic will to set aside our resistance and embrace the character’s belief system.
The Joy Of Acting
Playing a villain can be a lot of fun! Sometimes, finding a connection to the character can come simply by asking the question, “What’s fun about playing this character?” Is it their sense of entitlement, their thirst for revenge, or their gift for not giving a damn? Exploring these aspects as an actor allows you to tap into emotions you might not express in real life. The cathartic release of these feelings, whether it’s rage, revenge, or reclaiming power, can be incredibly powerful when expressed through art.
