Character Traits and Actions
From I Don't Need an Acting Class by Milton Justice
April 21, 2026 · 16 min
About this episode
The episode discusses how understanding character traits can enhance an actor's performance by allowing them to play more authentic actions.
Directors give performance or effect directions. It forces actors to play cliches. Figuring out the nature of a character trait or spine or personality frees an actor to play an action ... or an impulse ... that makes behavior more actable.
People in this episode
Host: Milton Justice
Topics covered
- character traits
- acting
- performance direction
- actor impulses
- behavior
- cliches
Keywords
- acting
- character traits
- performance
- directors
- impulses
- behavior
- cliches
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- Empathy and Sympathy · May 5, 2026 · 13 min
- Believe Your Choices · April 29, 2026 · 14 min
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