Monique recently asked this interesting question:

Here’s my answer:

Without seeing you work it’s hard to know where the feedback you’re getting is coming from.  Nevertheless, your choices are not limited to “stop gesturing” or “being yourself.”

In theory, doing what feels natural to you is fine.  What feels natural to you, however, may not be what the script calls for.  Listening more closely to the text (what you say, what’s said about you,the time, place, etc.) will lead you to physical choices that are appropriate.  Knowing what your emotional condition in the scene is and what’s at stake will also help you zero in on what’s not stated in the text and guide you to a better understanding of the physical life it needs.  Being authentic and passionate doesn’t necessarily result in expressive hand motions. If asked to simplify your gestures, even if they ‘feel natural” it may be they are distracting from what you are saying.  You must adjust by translating the direction into different action that also feels natural to you.  I suggest the answer lies in your approach to your character’s need. You still must passionately pursue what you want. Just go about getting it some other, less demonstrative, way.

If you’re a trained stage actor making the transition to working on camera it’s possible you may still be acting for an audience.  What feels natural to you in this case is simply inappropriate for the camera.  That’s a technique issue.  There is no audience.  Try simply talking to just one person, beside you, instead.  If you “Train yourself to stop gesturing,” you risk deadening your performance. Telling an interesting story with an expressionless body will always lack interest and look “fake.” 

The feedback you’ve been getting could also just be a matter of taste on the part of the person watching.  There’s no such thing as too much or too little gesture as long as what you do is necessary to the telling of the story.  If it is, keep it.  If it’s not, cut it.  The line from the excellent 1984 film “Amadeus” comes to mind.  After hearing a new Mozart piece the king comments that, at times, there were “Too many notes,” to which Mozart replies “I don’t understand.  There are just as many notes as I required, your majesty, neither more, nor less.”

You could simply be playing more notes than you need. 

Too much gesture could also be related to self-control.  To be effective we must be aware and in control of our thoughts and how they are expressed in our bodies.  We have all had our thoughts betrayed by our bodies.  During conversation, our nervousness is revealed by our tapping fingers, our deceit by our shifting eye movements and our discomfort or inattention by small shifts in body posture. These unconscious gestures diminish our strength and muddy the story we tell.  It’s not enough to train yourself to do this in your work.  The training must also take place in your life if it is to truly take hold.

Try this exercise. 

All day, try not to make any unnecessary gestures.  Hold yourself accountable.  Throughout the day notice when you move unnecessarily and why.  Be purposeful in everything you do.  Apply this concept to speaking as well.  Think before you speak.  Stay connected to your thoughts and words. Only do what is necessary to convey your intent.

Power and strength are revealed through economy of gesture.   Be guided by the principle of economy.  This deceptively simple exercise, if you stick with it, has the potential to enhance your self-awareness, improve your work and your life tremendously. Use only as many “notes” as you need.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and your experiences trying this new tool.  Leave me a comment below or drop me a note to tell me how it goes!

All my best, 

Philip

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Philip Hernandez is a respected acting teacher and singing coach in NYC. He is also the only actor in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. He created principal roles in Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Paul Simon’s The Capeman. You may also know him from his many television appearances: The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Path, Bull, Nurse Jackie, Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, Hostages and Damages to name a few. For information about acting lessons CLICK HERE or singing lessons CLICK HERE. 

Follow him on twitter @philip24601, on Instagram @philip24601 and on Facebook at @philip24601.