What Makes A Great Actor? by Ted Kotcheff

WAKE IN FRIGHT opens on October 19, 2012, at Landmark's Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles for a one-week engagement. Filmmaker Ted Kotcheff will appear in person on Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, at the 8:15pm shows each night. The film also is opening in select U.S. engagements throughout Fall 2012.

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[cyren_]

I'm just going to put this out there and say: Good luck to everyone on this video that wants to become an actor. Don't ever stop because someone didn't believe in you. Keep striving to achieve your goal, and you will.

[nekishamichelle]

Don't deliver lines be the character! Amazing acting advice. I have an audition Monday I'm preparing for. This journey is challenging yet deeply mystical, enjoyable and creates bliss.

[AurumGolds]

I think people with depression would be amazing actors because many can fool everyone they know

[MrBrokentowels]

I love actors that can tell the story. Sometimes actors can make a meal out of a scene but I forget what the movie was about. If someone concerns themselves with only their character and not the story regardless if the performance is great, the movie won’t be great. I think truly great actors can do both, tell the story and focus on there character

[babyface]

Charlton Heston said actors need to have loads of ENERGY and great HEALTH . Talent only takes you so far

[noodlez]

The phrase “Emotional temperature” is one that will really stick with me. This interview is brilliant.

[kwixotic]

Yes, even in one of his lesser known films("Class Action") Gene Hackman shines brilliantly.  The one thing I like about him and you see it also in "the Unforgiven", is this kind of mischievous grin of somone who delights in playing whatever role he does.  It wasn't so present early on as in "The French Connection" but moreso later on.

[TuanRyuJin]

Don't act, be the character! Thanks for this great Interview. Ted so experienced director!

[brandonclark]

Truthfully, I believe a great actor is made on the side of his light.
When he isn't being seen is how he will be made good in front of others.
An actor who trains consistently and prominently to ever enhance his craft is going to go far in a world of those who go home to work the next day.
As opposed to doing their homework that night.
Take care

[nithindominickoshy]

I grew up on Sylvester Stallone's action movies. My parents were watching 'First Blood'. I was just a kid back then, but I found Stallone's performance compelling and spellbinding. Kudos!

[JulietteVeronica]

Acting has been one of the few things that I have ever been truly passionate about and strive to get better everyday. I'm trying to get as much experience as I can through drama club and acting classes during the summer.

[poolboyinla]

I would have liked to have seen him talk about Stallone and First Blood. Sly deserved an oscar nom for that.

[greatday]

Great Insight. He seems to be an educator as well as a director. I like how he directs according to the actor's needs. 

[GjpgrD]

This guy directed Richard Dreyfuss in a Canadian indie called The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz (between American Graffiti & Jaws). Still one of his best performances!

[shaneog]

So basically you have to incorporate how you would react in certain situations but change it up a bit to fit your character so you can become that character

[specializedtm]

I’m an aspiring actor, I’ve got a few auditions lined up, hopefully I’ve got a chance

[kwixotic]

The rehearsal policy is very advisable AND can even incorporate improvisation to explore the character and what kind of discoveries are to be unearthed.

[randallpaul]

Such an important statement For me acting is your job title and it is not what you do.  When I see an actor acting it kills it for everyone.   Acting is the ability to believe in what ever the circumstance is.  So many young people have a strange idea because of destructive coaching the old cliche "Being there is so true"      How do you get there?  A large topic. .

[obilight]

i pray i be able to practice this advice

[Bloom]

04:02-04:08 as someone who wants to go into acting that laughter and his words scared me more then they should have