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So you are an actor and you gotta play a cop?

auditions casting cops genre Mar 08, 2019

Things to think through when playing a cop

All kinds of authority figures exist on stage, TV and film these days right? Is there nothing actors can't play? or get asked to play?

An easy challenge right?

Wrong.

3 things to consider

Honesty

1.  All kinds of performances by men and women in authority need down to earth honest and truthful performances, that goes without saying...

BUT...

Check the given circumstances.

Are they normal or unusual. Are they a "fish out of water?" Is this a regular old day or the start of a potential nightmare?

Example.

  • Has this particular cop been into this particular basement before?
  • Has her training covered this specific situation before?
  • Has she gone inside here with THAT man looking at her before?
  • Is this her first tour or her 40th?
  • Even people who have been through rigorous intense on the job police training can feel scared, wary, terrified or afraid...

2. Status

Always consider the status of your specific cop. Sometimes the individual is NOT happy with the normal and formal command structure.

What does the cop DO to raise, elevate or lower the status of the others in the scene. Being aware of status always makes for more interesting work.

Is your intention to :

  • Challenge
  • To motivate
  • To denigrate
  • To belittle
  • To praise
  • To soften
  • To soothe

the other person. Be aware. Make choices. Serve.

3. Tech Stuff

Weird names and terminology (legal, technical, medical) should roll off your tongue AS IF your character is well used to saying them. AS IF she has been saying them for a long time and is super comfortable with them.

Do look up correct pronunciations (or ask the experts!) before memorising lines. It’s a dead giveaway to CD's, directors and producers you’ve never seen their show when you can’t pronounce terms that appear all the time in their scripts. Be smart - get ahead of the posse.

Do your homework and you will succeed!

How to be confident in an acting audition

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