Silence is a very effective tool on screen as it can draw the audience into your performance far greater than dialogue can. Prolonged periods of silence can have the opposite effect on stage though. Because of the distance between audience and stage performer, a prolonged silence can make the audience uncomfortable and their immediate reaction is, “Something has gone wrong” or “Someone’s forgotten their lines.”
This never happens on screen. The camera magnifies everything you do by a factor of ten, so even the slightest change of expression or the passing of a shadow behind your eyes is visible to the audience. Some actors think if they aren’t saying anything then nothing is happening, but nothing could be further from the truth as there is usually a lot happening behind your eyes and on your face – all of which on-screen is visible to the audience.
To test the power of silence and it’s affect on you, try this little exercise: Sit on the couch reading a magazine with the television on. I guarantee as soon as the screen falls silent you will glance at the TV. You’re immediate response will be, “No one is saying anything, so something must be happening.” Screen acting, as opposed to the theatre, is less about the words and far more about the actions. That’s why directors call Action at the commencement of every scene, as opposed to calling Dialogue!
On-screen the audience can see subtle emotional shifts and changes in your facial expression, your body language and your eyes. The eyes are virtually meaningless on stage but of prime importance on camera.
When responding to something that is said or done to you with a thought process, you will draw the audience into your thoughts and they will be expectant as to the outcome. Silence can create tension. Silence can create expectation. On-screen silence is equally as effective as good dialogue and a well delivered line.
As the highly regarded 20th Century film maker Orson Welles stated, “The camera is an amazing instrument, for the camera can pick up thought.”
Leave a Reply