Acting Techniques

noun the art or occupation of performing in plays, movies, or television productions

verb the act of performing in a play, movie, or television production

adjective pretending to be someone or something for a performance

• The actor's acting skills were praised by the critics.
• She's been acting in a lot of indie films lately.
• He's really good at fake acting, it's hilarious.
• Her kindness is just an act, she's not really that nice.

noun a person who performs in plays, movies, or television shows

adjective relating to or characteristic of actors or acting

• The actor delivered a powerful performance in the Shakespearean play.
• I heard that actor is going to be in the new movie coming out next month.
• That actor is so talented, he really knows how to bring a character to life.
• Being an actor on the stage of life requires great skill and emotional depth.

adjective having a soft or gentle quality in the way that someone speaks or sings

• The singer delivered a breathy rendition of the classic ballad.
• She spoke in a breathy voice, trying to sound sexy.
• He whispered in a breathy tone, trying to be mysterious.
• The wind blew through the trees with a breathy sound.

noun the process of creating and developing a character in a story or play

• The author's skillful characterization of the protagonist brought depth to the novel.
• I really liked how the writer portrayed the main character in the story.
• The way the main guy was written in the book was so cool.
• The author's brushstrokes of characterization painted a vivid picture of the protagonist.

noun a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others

• The politician's charisma allowed him to easily connect with voters.
• She has such charisma, everyone is drawn to her when she enters a room.
• That guy's got mad charisma, he could sell ice to an Eskimo.
• Her charisma was like a magnet, pulling people towards her with ease.

noun a flirtatious act or attitude

• Her coquetry was evident in the way she subtly flirted with everyone at the party.
• She's always using coquetry to get what she wants from guys.
• I can't stand her fake coquetry, she's just trying to manipulate people.
• The politician's coquetry with the media was seen as a strategic move to gain more support.

adjective showing no emotion or animation; expressionless

adverb in a deadpan manner

• The comedian delivered his jokes with a deadpan expression, leaving the audience unsure if he was serious or not.
• She has a deadpan sense of humor that always catches people off guard.
• I love how he can pull off that deadpan delivery, it's so funny!
• Her deadpan response to the criticism showed just how unfazed she was by it.

verb to speak or recite in a loud, theatrical manner

• The politician stood on the podium to declaim his speech to the crowd.
• She loves to declaim in front of her friends about her favorite TV show.
• I heard him declaiming about the game last night at the bar.
• The artist's paintings seem to declaim a message about society and culture.

noun a conversation between two people, typically in a play or film

• The play featured a thought-provoking duologue between the two main characters.
• During the meeting, they had a long duologue about the project.
• I overheard a duologue between those two gossiping about their classmates.
• The duologue between the rain and the wind created a symphony of nature.

noun the skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation

• She excelled in elocution, delivering her speech with eloquence and precision.
• His elocution skills are top-notch, he can really captivate an audience.
• I'm working on my elocution game, trying to sound more professional.
• Her elocution was like music to my ears, so smooth and soothing.

noun the act of enunciating or speaking clearly

verb to pronounce words clearly and distinctly

• It is important to enunciate clearly when speaking in public.
• Can you enunciate that a bit more? I didn't catch what you said.
• Yo, you need to enunciate your words if you want people to understand you.
• Her actions enunciate her true intentions more than her words ever could.

noun the manner in which something is enunciated, especially the articulation of speech sounds

• The professor's enunciation of the complex scientific theory was impeccable.
• I couldn't understand her enunciation, she talks too fast.
• His enunciation was on point during the rap battle.
• The artist's enunciation of emotions through her paintings was truly remarkable.

adjective describing someone or something that shows no emotion or facial expression

• The witness remained expressionless throughout the entire court proceedings.
• She gave me an expressionless look when I told her the news.
• He just stood there, all expressionless and creepy.
• His face was like a stone, completely expressionless.

verb to speak or perform without preparation; to improvise

• The speaker had to extemporize a speech when the teleprompter malfunctioned.
• I had to extemporize a story to cover up my mistake.
• He's so good at extemporizing, he could talk his way out of anything.
• Sometimes in life, you have to extemporize and go with the flow.

noun an external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, typically concealing the true nature of something

• The suspect was arrested for impersonating a police officer under the guise of authority.
• She always wears sunglasses as a guise to hide her tired eyes.
• He put on a tough guy guise to impress his friends.
• The politician's promises were just a guise to gain votes.

adjective exaggerated or overacted in a theatrical way

• The actor's hammy performance in the play received mixed reviews from the critics.
• I can't believe how hammy that actor was in the movie, it was so over the top!
• She always hams it up whenever she's on stage, it's so entertaining to watch.
• His hammy attempts at flirting were not well received by the girl at the bar.

noun the act of pretending to be someone else, usually for entertainment or deceitful purposes

• The act of impersonation is considered a serious offense in many jurisdictions.
• I can't believe he tried to pull off an impersonation of the boss at the meeting.
• He's really good at doing impersonations of celebrities, it's hilarious!
• Her impersonation of a confident businesswoman is really convincing.

noun a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'improvisation' is a noun that refers to the act of improvising or creating something without preparation or planning.

• The musician's improvisation during the concert was truly impressive.
• I love watching comedians do improvisation on stage.
• The actor totally nailed the improvisation in that scene.
• Life is like a constant improvisation, you never know what's coming next.

verb to utter or recite in a singing tone or with musical inflections

• The singer was able to intonate each note perfectly during the performance.
• She always intonates her words with such passion when she talks about her favorite topic.
• I can't believe how well he can intonate his jokes to make them even funnier.
• The author's words seemed to intonate a sense of urgency and importance in the reader's mind.

noun the rise and fall of the voice in speaking

adjective related to the manner in which intonation is used in speech

• His intonation during the presentation was clear and authoritative.
• I could tell by her intonation that she was not happy with the situation.
• The way he changed his intonation made it seem like he was being sarcastic.
• The intonation of the music rose and fell like waves crashing on the shore.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The salesperson tried to lay it on thick with exaggerated claims about the product's benefits.
• He always lays it on thick when telling stories to make them more interesting.
• She really laid it on thick when trying to get out of doing her chores.
• The actor laid it on thick with his emotional performance, bringing the audience to tears.

noun a male actor who is especially popular as a romantic or heroic leading man in movies shown in the afternoon or early evening

• The matinee idol received critical acclaim for his performance in the latest Shakespearean play.
• The matinee idol is so dreamy, all the girls have a crush on him.
• That matinee idol is a total heartthrob, I can't get enough of him.
• In the world of politics, he was seen as the matinee idol of the party, always charming and charismatic on stage.

noun a dramatic or theatrical behavior or style that is exaggerated or overly emotional

• The actor's melodramatics on stage were met with mixed reviews from the critics.
• Stop with the melodramatics, we all know you're just trying to get attention.
• She's always so extra with her melodramatics, it's exhausting to be around her.
• His melodramatics were like a soap opera playing out in real life.

noun a long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The actor delivered a powerful monologue in the final act of the play.
• She went on a long monologue about her vacation plans.
• I can't stand when he goes on his monologue about politics.
• His constant complaining was like a never-ending monologue.

noun a low, indistinct, or inarticulate sound

verb to speak in a low, indistinct manner, often with the mouth partly closed

• The speaker began to mumble as he struggled to remember his speech.
• I couldn't hear what she was saying because she was mumbling.
• Stop mumbling and speak clearly so I can understand you.
• The wind mumbled through the trees, creating a soothing sound.

noun a low or indistinct sound

verb speaking in a low or indistinct manner

adjective characterized by speaking in a low or indistinct manner

adverb in a low or indistinct manner

• The professor was mumbling throughout the entire lecture, making it difficult for the students to understand.
• I could hear my dad mumbling to himself while he was fixing the car in the garage.
• Stop mumbling and speak up, I can't hear what you're saying!
• The sound of the wind was like a gentle murmur, almost like nature was softly mumbling to itself.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to indicate whether a noun is specific or unspecific

• His behavior at the meeting was completely out of character for him.
• I don't know why she said that, it's so out of character for her.
• Dude, that outfit is so out of character for you.
• The peaceful protest turning violent was out of character for the group.

verb to act in an exaggerated or overly dramatic manner

• The actor was criticized for his tendency to overact in dramatic scenes.
• She always overacts when telling a story, making it more entertaining.
• Don't overact when you see your crush, just be yourself.
• His exaggerated gestures made it seem like he was overacting in real life.

noun a dramatic entertainment, originating in Roman mime, in which performers express meaning through gestures accompanied by music

verb to express or represent something through pantomime

• The actors performed a traditional pantomime at the theater last night.
• We always have a good laugh watching the silly pantomime at the school talent show.
• I can't believe he's still doing that pantomime, it's so cringey.
• Her fake smile was like a pantomime, hiding her true feelings.

verb to be accepted or considered as; to be mistaken for

preposition a word or phrase that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The counterfeit bill did not pass for genuine currency.
• I don't think that excuse will pass for being valid.
• That old car can't pass for a luxury vehicle.
• Her actions do not pass for someone who is trustworthy.

noun the act of impersonating someone else

• Personation is the act of pretending to be someone else, often for fraudulent purposes.
• I heard that personation is a serious crime that can lead to legal consequences.
• Dude, don't even think about personation, it's not worth getting in trouble for.
• In the world of acting, personation is a skill that requires a deep understanding of the character being portrayed.

noun a performance or action intended to please or impress someone

preposition to behave in a way that is intended to please or impress someone

• The politician tried to play up to the wealthy donors in order to secure more campaign funding.
• She always plays up to the boss to get ahead in her career.
• He's constantly playing up to the popular kids at school to fit in.
• The actor knows how to play up to the audience to keep them engaged during the performance.

noun a person who participates in a role-playing game

• The professional basketball player scored 30 points in last night's game.
• That player is really good at soccer.
• Check out that player's killer moves on the dance floor!
• She's a key player in the success of the project.

adjective showing no emotion or expression on one's face, especially in a poker game

adverb in a poker-faced manner, without showing emotions or expressions

• She remained poker faced throughout the entire negotiation, revealing nothing of her true feelings.
• Even though he was nervous, he managed to stay poker faced during the job interview.
• I tried to keep a poker faced expression when my friend told a funny joke, but I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
• Despite the chaos around her, she stayed poker faced, showing no sign of fear or panic.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.

adverb A word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

conjunction A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

• The impostor tried to pose as a doctor to gain access to sensitive information.
• She likes to pose as a celebrity when she goes out to fancy restaurants.
• Don't pose as someone you're not just to impress others.
• His confident demeanor can sometimes pose as arrogance to those who don't know him well.

verb to form one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed

• The professor entered the room, smiling warmly at his students.
• I saw my friend across the street, smiling and waving at me.
• She walked into the party, smiling like she owned the place.
• The sun set over the horizon, smiling down on the world below.

noun the action of crying noisily, making loud, convulsive gasps

verb present participle of the verb 'sob', which means to cry noisily

• The witness was sobbing uncontrollably on the stand during the trial.
• I walked in on my little sister sobbing after she lost her favorite toy.
• She was sobbing her heart out after watching that sad movie.
• The violin's mournful melody seemed to be sobbing through the concert hall.

noun a whisper that is loud enough to be heard by the audience but soft enough not to be heard by other actors on stage

• During the play, the actor delivered his lines in a stage whisper to convey a sense of secrecy.
• I heard my name being mentioned in a stage whisper at the party last night.
• She leaned over and gave me the details in a stage whisper so no one else could hear.
• The wind whispered through the trees like a stage whisper, creating an eerie atmosphere.

adjective showing no emotion or amusement; serious

adverb in a serious or unemotional manner

• Despite the shocking news, the diplomat remained straight faced during the press conference.
• Even after the embarrassing joke, he managed to stay straight faced.
• I can't believe she kept a straight face when he told that ridiculous story.
• She delivered the bad news with a straight face, hiding her true emotions.

noun a place or region where something is prevalent or abundant.

• The theater is hosting a production of Shakespeare's Hamlet this weekend.
• Hey, want to catch a movie at the theater later?
• Let's hit up the theater for some popcorn and a flick.
• Life is like a theater, with each person playing their own role on the stage.

noun A person who performs in tragedies or tragic plays, typically a professional actor specializing in tragic roles.

• The tragedian delivered a powerful performance in the Shakespearean play.
• The tragedian really brought the drama in that play.
• That tragedian is a real pro at making people cry on stage.
• She was a tragedian in her own right, always attracting drama wherever she went.

verb to present or perform (something) in a restrained or subtle way, often to downplay its significance or importance

• The actor decided to underplay his role in the play to convey a sense of subtlety.
• She tends to underplay her achievements, but we all know how talented she is.
• Don't underplay your skills - you're actually really good at it!
• His humble demeanor underplays the fact that he is actually a successful entrepreneur.

verb to present or perform (a role or piece of music) with less emphasis or restraint than is usual or appropriate

adjective not given the importance or emphasis it deserves

adverb in a restrained or unemphatic manner

• The importance of mental health is often underplayed in the workplace.
• People tend to underplay the impact of stress on their health.
• Don't underplay how cool that concert was last night!
• His talent as a musician is often underplayed by his modesty.

noun a period of exercise or practice to prepare for a more intense activity

verb to prepare for a physical activity by exercising or practicing

• It is important to warm up before engaging in any physical activity to prevent injuries.
• Let's make sure to warm up before we start playing basketball.
• I always feel better after I warm up before going for a run.
• I like to warm up my brain by doing some crossword puzzles before starting work.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

article a word that is used to indicate whether a noun is specific or nonspecific

• As an actor, it is important to fully embody and live the part you are portraying on stage.
• When you're in character, just relax and have fun with it - really live the part!
• Dude, you gotta totally live the part if you want to impress the casting director.
• To succeed in sales, you have to truly believe in the product and live the part of a confident salesperson.

noun camera - a device used to capture images or record videos

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

article a word that is used to specify a noun, such as 'the' or 'a'

• The actor was instructed to spike the camera during the intense scene.
• Hey, did you see that actor spike the camera in the last shot?
• That actor really knows how to spike the camera, it's impressive.
• She always finds a way to spike the camera and steal the spotlight.

noun a dramatic performance or stage presentation

verb to pretend to be dead or lifeless, especially as a defense mechanism

• The dog was trained to play dead when commanded by its owner.
• When the teacher caught him cheating, he tried to play dead and pretend he wasn't there.
• I told my little brother to play dead so we could scare our friends.
• During the meeting, I just wanted to play dead and avoid all the drama.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

• The actor's performance in the drama was a departure from his usual roles, as he played a comedic character against type.
• I was surprised to see her cast as the villain in the movie, it's totally against type for her.
• He really went out of his comfort zone by taking on that role, it's so against type for him.
• The politician's decision to support the controversial policy was seen as going against type for him.

verb to assume or display a particular attitude or pose in order to impress or deceive others

• The politician was criticized for attitudinizing during the debate instead of addressing the issues at hand.
• Stop attitudinizing and just be yourself around your friends.
• She's always attitudinizing like she's better than everyone else.
• His constant attitudinizing was like a shield, protecting him from revealing his true emotions.

adverb in a sassy manner

• She responded sassily to the interviewer's questions, maintaining her composure throughout.
• He sassily flipped his hair and winked at the cute barista as he ordered his coffee.
• She snapped her fingers and sassed the guy at the bar, showing off her confidence.
• The cat walked sassily across the room, its tail held high in the air.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'accentless' describes something that lacks an accent.

• The linguist was impressed by the student's accentless pronunciation of the foreign language.
• She spoke with such an accentless tone that it was hard to tell where she was from.
• He raps with an accentless flow that sets him apart from other artists.
• Her writing style is so clear and concise, it's almost accentless in its delivery.

noun a device or substance that brings out or enhances certain qualities or characteristics

• The accentuator in this audio system enhances the clarity of speech.
• I love how the accentuator makes the music sound so much better.
• That accentuator really kicks up the volume on my speakers.
• Her smile was like an accentuator that brightened up the whole room.

adjective resembling or characteristic of an actor; theatrical or dramatic in behavior or appearance

• His actorish mannerisms made him stand out in the audition.
• She always acts so actorish whenever she's around a camera.
• I can't stand his overly actorish behavior on set.
• Her smile had an actorish quality to it, as if she was always putting on a performance.

noun the profession or activity of acting in plays, movies, or television shows

• The actory delivered a powerful monologue in the final scene of the play.
• I heard that new actory is really talented.
• That actory is totally killing it on stage!
• Her emotions were like an actory's, always changing and unpredictable.

noun a form of improvisation where someone speaks or performs without preparation

verb to improvise or speak or perform without preparation

• The actor impressed the audience with his ad-libbing skills during the live performance.
• She was so good at ad-libbing that she had everyone laughing at the party.
• I love when comedians start ad-libbing on stage, it's always so funny.
• In a crisis situation, sometimes you have to ad-lib your way through and make quick decisions.

noun a Latin phrase meaning 'at one's pleasure' or 'at will'

adverb used to indicate that a piece of music may be played or sung freely, without strict adherence to the tempo or rhythm

• The participants were allowed to eat ad libitum during the study.
• You can snack ad libitum while watching TV.
• I just grabbed some chips and ate them ad libitum.
• He approached the task with an ad libitum attitude, doing things his own way.