Horror Acting Tips from a Pro - How to Act Alongside the Hideous Creatures of the Underworld

I personally feel that one of the most difficult aspects of acting in a horror film is working alongside horrific creatures - whether these creatures be from an imaginary world, or truly insane humans. One of the most important things you must remember when you're working on a horror movie, is this imaginary world must become real to you in order for it to become real to the audience. While there are many different techniques and steps you must take to accomplish this, one of the most important tips in horror film acting is knowing who to act alongside outlandish and horrifying creatures.

Studying the Character

One of the most important tips when acting alongside unrealistic creatures, is to study the character. While this doesn't require as much insight as studying your own character, you must have an understanding of this person or creature. However, once you have a solid grasp on the emotional state of this other character - forget it. Don't bring it with you on set. The information you cultivated throughout your studies will work with your subconscious as your mind will feel as if this character is real as you know about it.

How Would Your CHARACTER React?

There are many acting coaches and books that recommend meditating on the scene, and on the characters involved within it; however, this can be counterproductive as when you're on set you must be thinking as your character, not as yourself. When you're outlining your script and working on your character development, write out how your character reacts when he or she comes face-to-face with the monster or source of horror. Study this document, but when you arrive on set, try and push this information to the back of your mind. Just like the aforementioned tip, by introducing this information into your subconscious, the emotions and reactions will surface at the perfect moment as you will be thinking like your character - not like you, trying to think like your character.