How to Act Sad... REALISTICALLY

Anyone can spot a bad performance from a mile away, "bad acting" you might say. In this video, Pro Acting Coach and Studio 24 owner, Cody Dorkin, is going to give you his top tips on how to ensure your next performance is realistic and believable!



Studio 24 has been open for over a decade and has helped thousands of actors pursue acting professionally. Over time, the Studio has grown into one of the largest tv/film acting studios in the state of California.

[drizzydre.]

Can u guys please make a vid on the basics on acting on camera because I heard acting on camera is entirely different then acting in theatre

[ThatSpadeGirl]

It happened for me in class at Studio 24. I couldn't relate to the actual scene, but I personalized it with a real situation where I did have that worry and fear that allowed me to sort of let my guard down and act with real emotion. Studio 24 acting coach, Kevin, asked what it was I used to personalize it. Before I could answer, it hit me. I was able to get through the scene without losing it. Pretty surreal, actually. And therapeutic. Btw, Kevin intuitively called camera and action.

[WatcherXel]

Amazing. Too bad sad is mostly all I can do. Now the question is how to be confident enough to radiate energy and allow yourself to act happy and aloof.

Thank you for your videos. In less than five minutes I learn more and more, and you’ve helped me with some of my works.

[filmswithus]

I have this thing that when I have to act sad, I just start to feel sad immediately, I think it is something inbetween the real acting and the ''acting''

[iberiasciacca]

Thank you for making this video and explaining the differences on performing. Opened my mind to more possibilities. I’m so happy I found your YouTube.

[Proximity]

Anthony Starr's performance in The Boys, the way he can express the whole array of emotions at once, inspired me to get deeper into the topic. You did a great job explaining it!

[epo]

I came from theater, I was directing (and will do again). To move out my comfort zone I applied to a short film casting. Nothing big, it will be directed by a movie director student, and she will bring it to festivals. I have been on sets before, as an extra many times.
So she asked me to talk about myself, then we had an improvisation dialogue, and then she asked me to express different feelings, and sad was one of them :) I just did what I thought was good by common sense. Before that I never imagined I am going to go to a movie casting. And I got the part. We start next week. I am TERRIFIED. :D

[MallettMotion]

Good advice...but some people just have a natural talent at being able to cry, especially if they've had a hard past. But me, I haven't had a hard past, plus, it's waaay different when there's people watching and you're on camera. But keep it up! These videos are fantastic!

[tresorkuh]

as soon as you said act sad I just fell right into it and was present. the word ‘sad’ itself made me feel a kind of way I can’t really put into words 🤷‍♀️

[ChanelFuller]

Can you do one for anger? That’s the emotion I really struggle with because I don’t even really get that angry in real life, ever.

[chrisfit_]

pls keep posting these video man, best one <3

[patrickxjfbdxj]

In order to "act" you need to feel

[ToppaHat]

this basically goes for all acting, im making a film this really helped

[ChaoticDish]

Thanks! I have a play later today; encanto, and i’m mirabel and there’s 3 quick scenes and in the 3rd scene i have to be sad but the scene before that i’m in is an action scene. It goes from the ending of “what else can i do” with like 3 lines, then the house breaking then the scene to dos orguitas and i pretty much have to be sad in the time of a blackout
Not sure if this changes anything but im 11 and i have a lot of family members coming to watch 😅

[kingfarathor]

When act sad don't try to act sad just do it there is different types of being sad. Mr Dorken is right. It can't be faked

[jimjamjon]

Will this method ever wear off? For example, if I think the same sad thoughts over and over again, won't my mind get used to them thoughts and I’ll no longer get sad about them? I guess this is a personal question but I wanted to know if you ever faced this barrier. Thanks

[rollotomasi]

Why is so few reactions and viewers on that channel? Did I miss something, like Tony Hopkins's master class channel where everybody's hanging? 🤔😟

[philly]

Thank you for this video, much appreciated!

[ahoy]

Was watching this video and my mum asked if I was ok so it must be working

[corsairdonald]

Very well explained..your all yhe videos are super..great..*I would really appreciate if you help me in characterization..Can you make video on How To Get Into CHARACTER, ...😅❤😊 ...I hope you will