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Best Films to Study as an Actor: Enhance Your Craft

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned performer, studying films is a fantastic way to deepen your understanding of acting techniques and styles. By analyzing the performances of top actors and exploring a variety of genres, you can refine your craft and find inspiration for your own work. At Southside Performance Studio, our acting classes in Glasgow are designed to equip you with the tools to bring these lessons to life.

Here’s our curated list of the best films to study as an actor:

1. Films to Master Acting Techniques

  • There Will Be Blood (Daniel Day-Lewis): A masterclass in method acting. Observe how Day-Lewis embodies his character through voice, posture, and intense emotional shifts.

  • The Iron Lady (Meryl Streep): Dive into transformative acting with Meryl Streep's uncanny ability to become Margaret Thatcher.

  • Joker (Joaquin Phoenix): Study physical acting and how Phoenix uses movement to convey his character’s psychological state.

2. Films for Character Development

  • Fences (Viola Davis & Denzel Washington): Explore how nuanced performances bring complex relationships to life.

  • Dead Poets Society (Robin Williams): Learn how subtle choices can create a deeply empathetic and inspiring character.

3. Genres to Expand Your Range

  • Comedy: Mrs. Doubtfire (Robin Williams) showcases how actors can balance humor with heartfelt emotion.

  • Drama: A Streetcar Named Desire (Marlon Brando) highlights raw emotional intensity and method acting.

  • Historical: Schindler's List (Liam Neeson) is an example of restrained yet powerful acting in a historical context.

4. Lessons on Voice and Body Language

Some of the greatest acting performances aren’t just about words—they're about how the actor uses their body and voice to tell a story.

  • My Left Foot (Daniel Day-Lewis): Learn how to use physical limitations to define a character.

  • The King's Speech (Colin Firth): A brilliant example of voice work in building character identity.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Watching films is only the first step. To truly grow, actors need to put these techniques into practice. At Southside Performance Studio, our acting classes in Glasgow offer personalized training where you can experiment with styles, develop your emotional range, and fine-tune your performances.

Why Studying Films Matters

Studying these films can:

  • Teach you how to convey emotions authentically.

  • Improve your understanding of subtext and dialogue delivery.

  • Inspire creativity and innovation in your acting choices.

Ready to take the lessons from the screen to the stage? Join our acting classes in Glasgow today and bring the power of cinema into your performance toolkit. Learn more at Southside Performance Studio.