Off-beat or Unconventional Acting Roles

Actors usually take on unconventional roles in an effort to break out of the traditional Hollywood mold. These roles range from drug addicts and criminals to mentally ill patients and even animals. While some may argue that these types of roles are nothing more than typecasting, others believe that they offer a unique challenge for actors who are looking to push themselves both creatively and emotionally. Whatever the role may be, it’s important for the actor to be able to step outside of their comfort zone and truly become the character they’re portraying.

As an actor, pushing your limits is something you should explore. Not only is it a challenge, but it can also be an opportunity to stretch and grow.

A most notable example of this is when actor James Franco took on the role of a gay man in the film Milk. This was a departure from the usual type of roles that Franco takes on, and he received a great deal of praise for his performance. However, there were also those who felt that he was not the right choice for the role because he is not gay himself (a story for another time).

Taking on an off-beat acting role can also mean physically changing, as was the case with Margot Robbie in Mary Queen of Scots. Robbie sat in the hair and make-up chair hours upon hours having a red wig, facial scars and chalk-white skin color applied, as the character was smallpox-stricken – a very uncomfortable situation.

So the question is, how far are you willing to go to play an unconventional character? Ask yourself these questions:

Are you willing to take on a daring role?

It’s not uncommon for actors to take on daring roles, including roles that involve nudity. While some may see this as a way to get ahead in their career, others view it as a way to push the envelope and challenge themselves artistically.

Whether you see it as an opportunity or a challenge, there are some things you should keep in mind:

• Be sure that you’re comfortable with your own body and sexuality. If you’re not comfortable with your body, it’ll be difficult to portray confidence on screen. Unless, of course, your character has no confidence.
• Although you may be nude on screen, you’re still in control of your own body and what happens to it.

Are you willing to take on a controversial role?

As an actor, it’s your job to portray a character. But what happens when you are asked to play a controversial role?

You may be asked to play a character who is racist, sexist or homophobic. This can be difficult for some actors, as they don’t want to perpetuate these negative stereotypes.

However, it’s important to remember that you’re just playing a role. You’re not actually endorsing the views of your character.

If you’re uncomfortable with a particular role, talk to your agent or the director. They may be able to make some changes to the script or give you more information about the character.

Are you willing to take on a brutal and violent role?

Actors are often cast in brutal and violent roles, but they don’t always have to be willing to take on those parts. Sometimes, an actor will read a script and decide that the character is too violent for their taste, or they simply don’t feel comfortable with the amount of violence required. This could be due to personal beliefs, or it could simply be a case of not wanting to put themselves through the emotional turmoil that comes with playing such a character. Other times, an actor may be willing to take on a role that’s outside of their comfort zone in order to challenge themselves or broaden their range.

Are you willing to go to dark places?

Acting roles that are in a dark emotional state are often the most challenging and rewarding. They require a deep understanding of the character’s inner turmoil and the ability to convey that anguish on screen.

The best performances in these roles come from actors who are able to access their own personal darkness and use it to inform their portrayal of the character. This can be a difficult and emotionally draining process, but the results can be truly amazing.

Some of the greatest acting performances in recent memory have come from roles that were in a dark emotional state. Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight is one of the most memorable and chilling examples. His performance was so intense and believable because he was able to tap into something very real and dark inside himself.

Below are some examples of actors who’ve played off-beat and unconventional characters:

• Monster: Serial Killer (Charlize Theron)
• Dick Tracy: Mumbles (Dustin Hoffman)
• Mary Queen of Scots: Queen Elizabeth the First (Margot Robbie)

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Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things.