What Are the Qualities of Good Actors?

There’s a reason why the job outlook for actors is expected to grow by 8% over the next decade. When done right, this profession can transport us to a different world.

Unfortunately, for every good actor, there are typically dozens of mediocre ones. So, what are some of the qualities that make for good actors?

If you want to know the answer to this question, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll be going over some of the qualities of an actor that separate amateurs from professionals. Let’s get started!

Subtlety

Sure, we all love a dramatic outburst. But one thing that often separates good actors from bad ones is the subtlety of their performance. Bad actors tend to overexaggerate emotions, reactions, or lines.

This can take the audience out of the performance. Good actors, on the other hand, can act subtly. They know that sometimes a blank face and a hard stare can convey more than an outburst of emotion.

This also lends their character’s a more complex feel. We’re often left wondering what’s going on in their heads.

Collaboration

Actors never work alone. Not only do they have to interact with other actors, but they also need to deal with whole production crews and directors.

Actors that can’t work creatively with their fellow artists are doomed to always be bad. Remember that acting is a collaborative medium.

And beautiful performances can come when you listen to the advice of others.

Reverence For the Greats

Bad actors watch classic films while good actors study them. Specifically, they’ll pay close attention to powerful performances by famous actors. They’ll also do everything they can to learn more about their idols.

For example, if you were a huge fan of Westerns, you could visit now John Wayne: An American Experience. That way, you could learn more about the movies and performances that are important to you.

Remember to respect people that have been in the industry for a while. Veterans can be excellent mentors further down the path by giving you acting tips.

Voracious Reader

Being an actor requires a lot of reading. Not only are you reading scripts, but you also need to memorize them.

On top of that, you’ll likely also be expected to read any books that your movie might be based on. Being a voracious reader can give you a better understanding of how to bring the character on the page to life.

Appreciate Learning About the Qualities of Good Actors? Keep Exploring

We hope this article helped you answer the question, What are the qualities of good actors? As you can see, good qualities for actors aren’t necessarily innate.

At the end of the day, they can be learned through practice and work. So, if you think you have what it takes, get out there and start acting!

Appreciate learning about these subjects? If so, keep scrolling to find similar acting content on our site that you’ll love.