What Does Holding Mean in Acting?
In the world of acting, there are numerous techniques and concepts that help an actor bring authenticity, depth, and emotion to their performance. One such concept that may not be immediately familiar to those outside of the industry is the idea of “holding.” While the term might seem simple, its use and significance in an actor’s craft are vast. Holding in acting can refer to various aspects of performance, including timing, emotional restraint, character development, and even physicality.
In this article, we will explore what holding means in acting, its importance, and how it can be used effectively. By examining its various applications, from physical gestures to emotional restraint, we can understand how holding enhances an actor’s performance and contributes to the overall impact of a scene. We will also include examples from famous performances to illustrate the power of holding and how it can be a tool in the actor’s toolbox.
1. The Definition of Holding in Acting
At its core, “holding” refers to a deliberate pause or moment of stillness that an actor creates within their performance. This pause can occur in different forms:
-
Physical Holding: The deliberate stillness of an actor’s body during a scene, allowing their presence to resonate.
-
Emotional Holding: The restraint or delayed release of emotion, allowing an actor to build tension or convey depth.
-
Timing and Pacing: Holding a moment within the scene, whether it’s through silence or timing, to create suspense, heighten emotion, or add nuance to the performance.
-
Holding the Gaze: An actor’s ability to hold eye contact or break it at the right moment, adding a layer of meaning to the interaction.
These elements of holding are used to communicate subtext, deepen character relationships, and enhance the emotional weight of a moment.
2. Physical Holding: Stillness and Presence
One of the most noticeable ways in which holding is employed in acting is through physical stillness. In a scene filled with rapid action or dialogue, an actor’s ability to hold their body in a single position can amplify the emotional weight of a moment. This stillness often conveys more than movement, capturing the attention of the audience and drawing them into the emotional landscape of the character.
For example, in the film The Godfather, there is a memorable moment when Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) sits silently during a family meeting. Michael’s physical stillness—his calm, controlled posture—conveys his growing power and internal conflict. In this case, his body remains motionless, but his emotional journey is anything but still. The use of holding his body in this scene allows for the audience to feel the tension building in the character, even without words.
Similarly, in a play, the use of physical holding can serve to heighten the dramatic tension. In the play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, the characters Vladimir and Estragon spend much of their time in stillness and silence, waiting for the mysterious Godot. The act of holding the space with their motionless bodies accentuates the futility and existential questioning present in the work. By not fidgeting, the actors invite the audience to engage with the silence, making it just as important as the dialogue.
3. Emotional Holding: Restraint and Build-Up
Emotional holding refers to the restraint or delay in the release of emotion. Rather than immediately reacting to a situation or an event, an actor may “hold” their emotional response, allowing for a gradual build-up. This can create a more powerful emotional release when it finally comes.
For example, in Les Misérables, Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Jean Valjean is marked by moments of intense emotional holding. In the scene where Valjean is confronted by the law, he is faced with the choice to reveal his true identity and endanger himself or maintain his facade. His internal struggle is palpable, but it’s his restraint and holding of the emotion that heightens the eventual outburst. When he finally releases his pent-up emotion, it’s all the more impactful because of the tension that has been built over time.
Similarly, in the film The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith portrays Chris Gardner with emotional holding, especially in the scene where he is struggling to make ends meet while caring for his son. Instead of immediately showing frustration or sadness, Smith’s character holds his emotions in check. The moment he finally breaks down is devastating and earned, as the audience has been allowed to witness the slow build-up of his inner turmoil.
Emotional holding can also be a tool for subtext. In an argument between two characters, for example, an actor might choose to “hold” their response—remaining silent or controlled—while their emotions boil underneath the surface. This restraint can communicate the tension between the characters and the complexity of the situation. The act of holding can suggest that the character is on the verge of an emotional eruption, thus keeping the audience on edge and invested in the outcome.
4. Timing and Pacing: Holding Moments for Impact
Another way holding is employed in acting is through the manipulation of timing and pacing. In many scenes, there is a moment when a character’s reaction or line delivery is held for a brief moment of suspense, allowing the audience to absorb the tension. This can be done through silence, holding a look, or pausing before responding to a situation.
In Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, the scene where Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) enters the shower is a prime example of holding. The scene is built around the suspense of the unknown—when will the killer strike? Hitchcock holds the suspense by drawing out the moment before the attack, making the audience wait in agonizing anticipation. The actual moment of the attack is quick, but the time leading up to it is carefully paced and held, allowing the shock and horror to be even more impactful.
Similarly, in many of Quentin Tarantino’s films, such as Pulp Fiction, the dialogue is often paced in a way that allows moments of silence to speak volumes. Characters hold pauses in their conversations, building suspense or allowing for dramatic effect. In these moments, Tarantino holds the rhythm of the scene, using silence as a tool to accentuate the eventual release of tension.
The key to effective holding in timing is knowing when to stop. Pauses should never feel awkward or forced. They must feel earned and reflective of the character’s journey, allowing the audience to be drawn deeper into the scene.
5. Holding the Gaze: Eye Contact and Subtext
One of the simplest yet most powerful tools in acting is the gaze. Holding eye contact—or deliberately breaking it—can carry significant subtext. Eye contact can communicate everything from love and trust to power dynamics and conflict. By holding the gaze of another character, an actor can assert dominance or intimacy, or conversely, avoid confrontation by breaking the gaze.
In the film The Social Network, the character of Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) uses eye contact to convey his social discomfort and emotional distance from others. In key moments, Zuckerberg avoids eye contact, signaling his lack of connection to those around him. The deliberate holding or avoidance of eye contact in this case helps to build the character’s isolation and the tension in his relationships.
Similarly, in romantic scenes, holding the gaze between two characters can signal attraction, desire, or emotional connection. The slow build-up of eye contact in a scene can suggest growing intimacy, and the eventual release of that gaze can reflect vulnerability or the culmination of a relationship.
In contrast, a character who holds eye contact in an intense moment of confrontation might be displaying dominance or asserting control. The gaze becomes a weapon in itself, conveying power dynamics without a single word being spoken.
6. The Use of Holding in Famous Performances
To better understand the power of holding in acting, let’s examine a few iconic performances where this technique played a key role in the actor’s portrayal of the character.
-
Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951): Brando’s portrayal of Stanley Kowalski is known for its emotional restraint and physical holding. In numerous scenes, Stanley’s emotions simmer just below the surface, and Brando masterfully uses pauses and stillness to build the character’s internal conflict. His intense gaze and deliberate pacing create tension, making his emotional outbursts all the more explosive.
-
Natalie Portman in Black Swan (2010): Portman’s portrayal of Nina Sayers is filled with moments of emotional holding. The character’s fear and obsession with perfection are conveyed through subtle pauses and silences, creating a sense of inner turmoil. Portman’s ability to hold moments of silence and stillness intensifies the psychological drama, and the eventual breakdown is all the more powerful due to the restraint leading up to it.
-
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood (2007): Day-Lewis’s performance as Daniel Plainview is a masterclass in holding. His character’s calm demeanor is often contrasted with moments of sudden, violent outbursts. Throughout the film, Day-Lewis uses physical stillness and emotional restraint to build the character’s sense of power and growing madness, creating a performance that is both haunting and mesmerizing.
7. Conclusion: The Power of Holding
Holding in acting is a powerful technique that can be used in a variety of ways—whether it’s through physical stillness, emotional restraint, careful timing, or eye contact. The ability to hold a moment or emotion allows an actor to create tension, build anticipation, and deliver a more impactful performance. Whether used to convey a character’s internal struggle, heighten suspense, or enhance the subtext of a scene, holding is an invaluable tool in the actor’s craft.
By understanding and practicing the art of holding, actors can elevate their performances, drawing the audience deeper into the emotional landscape of the story. From the smallest pause to the most intense emotional restraint, holding can be the key to creating a memorable and compelling performance.
Acting Magazine Newsletters
Never miss out on the best from Acting Magazine.