Acting in period and historical pieces is a unique and rewarding challenge that requires more than just memorizing lines. It demands a deep understanding of the time period, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to convincingly embody the manners, speech, and attitudes of the era. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to “understand the era” and offer practical tips for actors preparing for a role in a period piece.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Era
Understanding the Importance of Historical Accuracy
In period pieces, historical accuracy plays a critical role in the believability of the story. Everything from the setting, costumes, and dialogue to the characters’ attitudes and actions must reflect the era accurately. While the script and director provide a foundation, it is the actor’s responsibility to bring authenticity to their performance. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, cultural nuances, and societal norms of the time.
Researching the Time Period
The first step in preparing for a role in a period piece is conducting thorough research. This involves studying the broad historical context, including the political, economic, and social landscape of the time. It’s important to understand the significant events and cultural shifts that shaped the era.
Next, dive into the specifics that are relevant to your character. If you’re playing a historical figure, read biographies and firsthand accounts to get a sense of their personality, mannerisms, and motivations. For fictional characters, focus on understanding their societal role and personal circumstances.
Mastering the Manners and Etiquette
Each historical era has its own set of social norms, manners, and etiquette. Understanding and mastering these details can significantly enhance the authenticity of your performance. For instance, the formalities and social conventions of Victorian England are starkly different from the more relaxed manners of the 1960s.
Research common practices, social mores, and etiquette rules of the era. This includes everything from table manners and social greetings to courtship customs and dress codes. Incorporating these elements into your performance can add depth and authenticity to your character.
Embracing the Language and Dialect
Language is a powerful tool for conveying time and place. Speech patterns, accents, and vocabulary change significantly over time, so it’s crucial to understand and accurately portray the language of the era. This may involve learning a new dialect, mastering archaic vocabulary, or adopting older speech patterns.
Working with a dialect coach can be incredibly helpful in this regard. They can help you understand the phonetic changes, intonation, and rhythm of the dialect, enabling you to speak convincingly in the language of the era.
Understanding the Mindset and Attitudes
To convincingly portray a character from a different era, you need to understand the mindset, beliefs, and attitudes of the time. Historical eras are shaped by unique perspectives and values that differ significantly from modern attitudes.
For instance, the rigid gender roles and class distinctions of the Victorian era, the optimistic futurism of the post-war 1950s, or the rebellious spirit of the 1960s counter-culture each require a different mindset.
Immersing yourself in the literature, music, art, and philosophy of the era can help you understand these perspectives. It’s also important to acknowledge the prejudices and biases of the era, even when they clash with modern sensibilities.
Physicality and Movement
The physicality and movement styles of an era also contribute to a believable performance. Posture, gait, and gestures are all influenced by cultural norms, fashion, and societal roles. For example, corseted women of the Victorian era moved very differently than the flappers of the 1920s.
Understanding the physical restrictions or freedoms of the era, influenced by clothing, societal norms, and even the physical environment, will allow you to move in a way that is true to the time period.
Acting in period and historical pieces is about more than donning a costume and delivering lines in an old-fashioned way. It requires a deep dive into the era, understanding the mindset, social norms, and physicality of the time.
By doing thorough research, mastering the language and etiquette, embracing the attitudes, and adopting the physicality of the era, you can bring authenticity and depth to your performance.
Understanding the era is about respecting the past and the people who lived in it. It’s about capturing the essence of a time gone by and bringing it to life for modern audiences. With dedication, meticulous preparation, and a genuine passion for history, you can excel in specialized acting for period and historical pieces. It’s a challenging but immensely rewarding field that allows you to educate, entertain, and transport audiences to a different time.