Being in the Moment

The very best kind of acting always means being in the moment, but what exactly is that and how do you achieve it?

To begin, let’s talk about what being in the moment actually means. 

Quite simply it’s paying attention only to what is happening in the scene and then responding in a completely natural way.

So you ignore the cameras, the lights, the crew and in that moment it is just you and your scene partner and nothing else. And you react to them completely as if it were a  moment from real life.

For example, if your scene involves a heated argument with another actor who plays your lover, being in the moment means reacting to their actions, emotions, and words exactly as if it were a real situation.

When you do it right, it’s not you and another actor arguing, it’s you and your real-life partner arguing. It’s not you trying to remember your cues and your lines, it’s you speaking exactly as you would if this were real life.

Professional actors strive to be in the moment. By why?

Because being in the moment is essential for delivering a performance that is authentic and emotionally charged, one that audiences will remember.

If you are in the moment, the audience will believe they are watching a moment from real life; almost as though they’re watching a fly-on-the-wall documentary perhaps.

If you are not in the moment, the audience will feel that something is off, that you are just performing without truth. That you are pretending.

We’ve all watched a film where an actor seems wooden or false. And we’ve all watched a film where we believe a character is really crying because of the situation.

That’s why it’s important.

Perhaps the most important aid to being in the moment is learning how to focus.

This means that in the scene you focus solely on what is happening in the scene and you tune out everything around you. You don’t see the camera out of the corner of your eye; you don’t notice the camera operator scratching or the assistant director polishing their glasses.

No. The only thing you see is your scene partner.

And one way to do this – perhaps the most important way – is to get into the habit of mindfulness and concentration. There are a lot of exercises you can do to improve your mindfulness (and improve your acting at the same time!) but here are a few links to some good ideas you might want to try:

• Mindfulness from Psychology Today
• Mindfulness from the NHS
• Mindfulness Exercises from Mayo Clinic

So practice mindfulness outside acting and when you come to act, you will naturally be more focussed and give a better result.

By using this technique, you can improve your ability to stay in the moment and enhance your acting skills.

Another important way to be in the moment is to listen actively to your scene partner. By actively listening and being present, you can react in real-time to what they say and do, creating a more natural and authentic scene.

So don’t just wait for your cue to speak, but instead listen to what your acting partner is actually saying instead. 

It’s also important to understand your character’s backstory, motivations, and emotions, so you can react accordingly. As you become more familiar with your character, you will find it easier to stay in the moment and deliver an authentic performance.

Finally, here are a few additional tips to help you be in the moment:

• Avoid overthinking your performance; don’t go into the scene with a detailed plan of action on exactly how you’re going to move but let it happen naturally
• Before you get on set, take time to prepare mentally before a scene, so you can enter it with a clear mind; relax, breathe…
• When you get on set, before the camera begins to roll, close your eyes and pay attention to the sounds and smells around you; open your eyes and immerse yourself in the set ready for the moment: you are in a kitchen, your kitchen; the person opposite you is your lover who has just cheated on you; you close your eyes and feel the anger build inside you…

Remember, being in the moment is a crucial aspect of acting. By staying present, responding naturally, and being attentive to your scene partner, you can create a performance that is emotionally charged and authentic. Using the tips and techniques mentioned in this article can help you stay in the moment and enhance your acting skills.