What Are Acting Tactics?
In the world of acting, an actor’s ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth to a performance is essential. One of the fundamental ways actors achieve this is by employing acting tactics—strategies and methods designed to help them deliver a compelling, believable portrayal of their character. Acting tactics involve the nuanced choices an actor makes to shape their performance, influence their scene partner, and respond to the circumstances of the play or film.
This article explores the various acting tactics actors use, highlighting their purpose, application, and examples from notable performances. By understanding and mastering these tactics, an actor can create a multidimensional performance that resonates with the audience.
1. Understanding Acting Tactics
Acting tactics refer to the methods and strategies that actors use to achieve their character’s objectives and to respond to the given circumstances within the scene. These tactics are not one-size-fits-all but are chosen and adapted according to the character, the scene, the relationships between characters, and the overarching narrative.
A tactic in acting is essentially a tool an actor employs to pursue their character’s goal (or “objective”) and to overcome obstacles that arise during a scene. These tactics are used to bring life to a character’s actions and intentions, making them more dynamic, believable, and engaging for the audience.
Acting tactics are integral to how actors develop their performances. They can be influenced by a variety of acting techniques, such as Stanislavski’s system, Lee Strasberg’s method acting, Meisner technique, or Michael Chekhov’s psychological gesture theory.
2. The Objective and Tactics in Acting
At the core of an actor’s performance lies the objective—what the character wants in a scene or throughout the entire play. Every character’s actions are driven by the desire to achieve their goal. Tactics are the means by which an actor tries to attain that goal while dealing with the obstacles or conflicts posed by the circumstances and other characters.
Example:
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s objective is to avenge his father’s murder. The tactics he uses to achieve this objective vary across the play—sometimes he manipulates others through feigned madness, other times he uses soliloquies to work through his internal conflict. These tactics, driven by his overall goal of revenge, help Hamlet navigate the complex emotional and social terrain of the play.
3. Types of Acting Tactics
Different tactics are used depending on the character’s objectives, the relationships between characters, and the emotional dynamics of the scene. Some of the most commonly used acting tactics include:
1. Playing for Time
Sometimes, actors need to create tension or delay a character’s objective for dramatic effect. Playing for time involves stalling or distracting the other character(s) to either buy time or avoid a direct confrontation. This tactic is often used to build suspense or allow for a moment of reflection.
Example:
In A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche Dubois uses this tactic when she tries to avoid confronting the truth of her past. Her constant chatter and avoidance of direct confrontation with Stanley Kowalski are attempts to delay or distract from facing the reality of her situation.
2. Flattery
Flattery is a tactic used when a character attempts to manipulate another person by appealing to their ego. This tactic is often used by characters who want something from someone, so they praise or compliment them to gain favor or weaken their resistance.
Example:
In the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You, the character Patrick Verona uses flattery to manipulate Kat Stratford. He plays on her feelings of being misunderstood and isolated, complimenting her and feigning interest to win her over. Over time, Kat realizes the manipulation, but Patrick’s use of flattery initially achieves his goal of getting close to her.
3. Anger and Aggression
Anger and aggression are common tactics used by characters who feel threatened, trapped, or desperate. By raising their voice, being physically imposing, or becoming verbally aggressive, these characters attempt to either assert control over a situation or force others into submission.
Example:
In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Willy Loman frequently resorts to anger when his sense of self-worth and his familial relationships are threatened. In scenes with his son Biff, Willy’s aggression stems from his frustration with his inability to live up to his own expectations. His emotional outbursts reflect his internal struggle and his desire to regain control over a rapidly disintegrating life.
4. Guilt and Emotional Manipulation
Many characters use guilt as a tactic to influence others. By making someone feel responsible for their emotional state or behavior, they try to manipulate others into giving them what they want. This tactic is frequently seen in relationships, where one character pressures another by exploiting feelings of compassion or duty.
Example:
In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, Amanda Wingfield uses emotional manipulation to pressure her son Tom into staying at home and supporting the family. She plays on his guilt, often reminding him of the sacrifices she made for him and the responsibility he has for his sister, Laura. This manipulation is a tactic that perpetuates Tom’s inner conflict.
5. Subtlety and Suggestion
Some characters may employ subtlety, hinting at their objectives without directly stating them. This tactic can be used to create intrigue, ambiguity, or even misdirection. Instead of pushing directly for their goal, the character might use gestures, silences, or innuendo to manipulate others into doing their bidding.
Example:
In The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, the character of Lady Bracknell often uses subtlety to assert control over the situation, particularly in her interrogation of Jack Worthing’s eligibility to marry her daughter, Gwendolen. Her polite, but pointed questions are tactically designed to manipulate Jack and reveal his social status.
6. Empathy and Compassion
Empathy and compassion are often used by characters to create emotional connections with others, in the hopes of gaining their trust or sympathy. This tactic might be employed when a character wants to soften another’s defenses or reach a vulnerable point where they can achieve their goal.
Example:
In the film Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams’ character, Sean Maguire, uses empathy and compassion to connect with Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon. Through their therapy sessions, Sean recognizes Will’s emotional trauma and uses kindness, rather than confrontation, to help Will confront his past and unlock his potential.
7. Humor and Charm
Humor can be an effective tactic for diffusing tension, winning others over, or disarming a potential adversary. A character using humor can make themselves more approachable or gain a sense of control in an awkward or difficult situation.
Example:
In The Devil Wears Prada, the character of Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, frequently uses humor and charm to navigate the tough and often oppressive world of high fashion. In her interactions with her boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), Andy’s wit and lightheartedness become her defense mechanism in a high-pressure environment.
4. How Acting Tactics Shape Character Development
The use of tactics is integral to an actor’s process of creating a multifaceted, dynamic character. A character’s tactics evolve throughout the play or film, based on their changing circumstances, objectives, and relationships. As a result, the tactics chosen at different points in a story can significantly alter the character’s arc and emotional journey.
For instance, a character may begin a story using manipulative tactics to get ahead, but as they experience personal growth, they may shift to using more empathetic or honest tactics. These shifts in tactics help the audience track the character’s development and create a more engaging narrative.
Example:
In Breaking Bad, the character of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) starts off using his intellect and subtlety as tactics to navigate the drug world. However, as his character progresses, he becomes more aggressive and manipulative, eventually embracing his darker side and using fear as a primary tactic. This shift in tactics underscores his transformation from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug kingpin.
5. Examples of Iconic Actors and Their Tactics
Some of the most iconic performances in film and theater showcase the use of various acting tactics to create unforgettable characters.
Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada
Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly is a masterclass in using subtlety, manipulation, and charm as tactics. Miranda’s icy demeanor and cutting remarks are carefully calibrated tactics that assert her authority and create a sense of control over her employees. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s vulnerability—revealed only in a few rare moments of humanity—which adds complexity to her character.
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Daniel Plainview is a prime example of using anger and aggression as tactics. Plainview’s fierce determination to succeed in the oil industry often leads him to manipulate and intimidate others. However, as the film progresses, his tactics shift, showing a character who becomes consumed by his ambition and ultimately loses his humanity in the process.
Viola Davis in Fences
Viola Davis’s portrayal of Rose Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful example of using empathy and emotional manipulation. Rose’s deep love for her husband, Troy, is reflected in her willingness to make sacrifices for her family. However, when she learns of Troy’s infidelity, her use of empathy shifts to a more emotionally manipulative tactic as she confronts him, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions.
Acting tactics are the tools that actors use to bring depth and authenticity to their performances. Whether through subtle manipulation, emotional connection, or aggression, tactics help actors navigate the complex terrain of human relationships and objectives within a scene. The tactics chosen by a character are essential to understanding their psychological makeup and the emotional stakes of the story. By employing the right tactics at the right time, actors can craft performances that are not only compelling but also deeply resonant with audiences.
Through careful study and practice, actors can refine their understanding of acting tactics, which in turn allows them to create multidimensional characters that engage and inspire. Tactics are not merely about achieving an objective but about making the journey to that objective compelling, real, and memorable.
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