Published On: Mar 8, 2025
7 Minutes Reading Time
The Ultimate Guide to Actor Actions: Mastering Your Performance One Choice at a Time
(Side note: Our approach is influenced by the methods of renowned acting coaches like Ivana Chubbuck, but we’ve expanded the scope to provide a comprehensive toolkit for actors.)
At CinemaLab, we believe that choosing the right action for every line of dialogue is what separates good actors from great ones. This guide presents a list of 101 actor actions, categorized by emotion, to help you make dynamic and purposeful choices in every scene.
The Goal: When you receive a script, assign a specific action to each line. For example, if your character is teasing or mocking, focus on the action itself rather than how to deliver the line. This approach not only enriches your performance but also ensures you're adaptable during auditions—a key skill directors look for.
Pro Tip: Try to never, or almost never, repeat an action twice in the same scene. Repetition makes a character one-dimensional. By varying your actions, your performance will have a spectrum of colors without overshadowing any single hue. Even if your choices differ from what the director envisioned, they’ll see you can adapt—a skill that separates good actors from great ones.
1. Positive Emotions: Building Connection and Trust (25 Actions)
A. Affection and Warmth
Praises: Recognizes qualities with warmth.
Encourages: Lifts spirits and boosts confidence.
Comforts: Offers reassurance in tough moments.
Flirts: Playfully suggests interest.
Reassures: Eases fears or doubts.
Compliments: Highlights strengths.
Embraces: Accepts fully, emotionally or physically.
B. Admiration and Respect
Admires: Expresses genuine awe.
Hero-Worships: Holds in high esteem with enthusiasm.
Glorifies: Elevates with grand language.
Appreciates: Acknowledges value sincerely.
Bows: Shows deference or respect.
C. Playfulness and Lightness
Teases: Provokes gently to build rapport.
Mocks (Lightly): Jokes with affection.
Challenges: Invites a playful contest.
Provokes: Stirs emotions with intention.
Dares: Tests courage playfully.
Amuses: Seeks to entertain.
D. Generosity and Kindness
Gives: Offers freely without expectation.
Forgives: Releases resentment.
Protects: Shields from harm or pain.
Shares: Opens up with vulnerability.
Supports: Provides backing in words or action.
Blesses: Offers good wishes.
Consoles: Eases sorrow gently.
2. Negative Emotions: Creating Tension and Conflict (25 Actions)
A. Anger and Resentment
Accuses: Directly assigns blame.
Commands: Issues orders forcefully.
Condemns: Judges harshly.
Threatens: Suggests consequences with menace.
Rebukes: Criticizes sharply.
Resents: Holds a grudge subtly.
Explodes: Loses control suddenly.
B. Contempt and Disdain
Mocks: Ridicules with disdain.
Belittles: Minimizes another's worth.
Scoffs: Dismisses with scorn.
Taunts: Provokes to trigger anger.
Insults: Attacks verbally.
Dismisses: Shrugs off significance.
C. Jealousy and Envy
Covets: Desires what others possess.
Undermines: Subtly diminishes confidence.
Questions: Probes with suspicion.
Exposes: Reveals flaws strategically.
Sabotages: Actively obstructs.
Challenges: Tests out of spite.
D. Manipulation and Deception
Misleads: Diverts from the truth.
Feigns: Pretends feelings or intentions.
Evades: Avoids direct answers.
Manipulates: Coaxes subtly for advantage.
Lies: Fabricates stories.
Gaslights: Alters perception of reality.
3. Vulnerability: Exposing Truths and Desires (25 Actions)
A. Fear and Insecurity
Beg: Pleads with desperation.
Appeals: Seeks sympathy or rescue.
Evades: Avoids the core issue.
Dreads: Expresses foreboding or anxiety.
Cowers: Shrinks back.
Trembles: Shows physical fear.
B. Sadness and Loss
Mourns: Grieves with sincerity.
Broods: Dwells on pain or loss.
Concedes: Accepts defeat with resignation.
Confesses: Admits truth with heaviness.
Surrenders: Gives up entirely.
Regrets: Looks back with sorrow.
C. Shame and Guilt
Apologizes: Takes responsibility with regret.
Hides: Conceals feelings or actions.
Withdraws: Retreats emotionally.
Deflects: Redirects blame or attention.
Blushes: Shows embarrassment physically.
Flinches: Reacts instinctively to guilt.
4. Power Dynamics: Dominance vs. Submission (26 Actions)
A. Dominance
Commands: Takes charge authoritatively.
Intimidates: Uses presence to instill fear.
Challenges: Defies with confidence.
Declares: Makes bold, unflinching statements.
Controls: Manages others’ choices.
B. Submission
Yields: Backs down or surrenders.
Pleases: Seeks approval actively.
Obeys: Follows orders without question.
Placates: Calms hostility through compliance.
Begs: Asks with desperation.
C. Persuasion and Coercion
Convinces: Shifts opinions with logic.
Coaxes: Softly persuades.
Seduces: Entices emotionally or physically.
Bargains: Trades or negotiates.
Entices: Lures with promise.
5. Exploration and Curiosity (20 Actions)
Inquires: Asks to uncover truths.
Probes: Digs deeper with intent.
Speculates: Assumes scenarios to gain clarity.
Interrogates: Presses with intensity.
Observes: Watches silently.
Experiment: Transform a Single Line with Different Actions
Take a simple line like “I can’t believe you did that.” and try these actions:
Mocks: “I can’t believe you did that.” (Derisive)
Encourages: “I can’t believe you did that!” (Amazed)
Condemns: “I can’t believe you did that.” (Judgmental)
Conclusion: Master the Art of Action
Choosing a distinct action for each line prevents fixation and monotony. It prepares you to adapt, respond, and transform your performance dynamically—skills directors value highly. With this guide, you’ll find every scene bursting with life and complexity.
At CinemaLab, we help you apply these techniques in demo reels that showcase your range and depth with cinematic quality. Ready to elevate your craft?