Many actors are terrified at the very thought of a cold-read. Before I go any further, let me also address the very name: cold-read. That drives me crazy. Please never read me anything as an actor. Act it! And it shouldn’t be cold. It should be hot.
It is not a cold-read. It is hot acting! Good. I feel better already. A cold-read is not a reading at all. It’s an audition. Therefore, you need to make it as real and spontaneous as you would a prepared audition. Breathe life and energy into the character and have fun.
First, read over the scene like you would a good book. As soon as you look at the script, begin to use your imagination about where you are and what you are doing. Don’t panic. You will usually be given a short time to look at the script for a cold-read. Don’t just glance through your own lines in the scene. It won’t make sense. Take a extra few seconds to look at the whole scene and its meaning. You’ll be surprised how much you can understand just by really imagining the scene the first time you read it.
Make a fast character choice. To quickly choose a hook for your character and make him specific and real, try thinking of a famous actor that might play the part.
Map out your
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