What is an On-screen Talent?

Written by 90 Seconds
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Last updated: October 4, 2023
What is an On-screen Talent?

The film industry is filled with hundreds of interesting and rewarding career paths, but none is as sought after or as idolized as that of the on-screen talent.

Known as “actors,” these positions can make or break any production, as even the most well written script will be doomed to mediocrity when not placed in the hands of a competent actor.

Having talented and competent actors available for a production helps ensure that the visions of the writer and director are transferred onto the silver screen.

However, being an actor isn’t simply about taking orders. The on-screen talents are able to inject their own artistry and interpretation into a scene, providing new insight into their character and helping to make the movie magic that keeps audiences entertained time and time again.

Actors are often considered to be the face of a production, which is why it is such a competitive and lucrative field.

Primary roles

Reading lines

The greatest actors are known for their ability to effectively read the lines of the script while bringing their own, unique take to their given role.

Acting is all about bringing characters to life, and few audiences would stick around beyond the opening credits if the on-screen talent couldn’t deliver their lines in a believable way.

Knowing the appropriate emotion and gravitas that a scene requires is what separates the great actors from the day players.

Appearing on screen

Apart from directors, actors are often the most well known participants in a production, and with good reason.

When an audience views a film, it’s the actors whom they’ll be viewing. While the director may choose where the actor stands or what the scene looks like,

it’s how the actor looks and behaves that will help sell the fantasy to the audience. This is also one of the primary reasons why becoming a world-famous actor is so competitive and so lucrative; the top on-screen talent in the world can draw viewers simply by their name alone.

Secondary roles

Promotion and marketing

Both big budget and independent productions rely heavily on marketing to get the public excited about their efforts. And while billboards or TV commercials are one way to get the word out, promotion from the on-screen talent is one of the most popular ways to create hype.

Lead actors and actresses are often tasked with conducting interviews with press and fans alike. They play an important role in ensuring that as many people as possible know not only about the production itself, but when and where it will be premiering.

Researching the character

Becoming an actor isn’t simply reading from a script. It involves thorough research into who and what the character involves.

It’s not unusual for actors to provide their roles with additional backstory in order to flesh out the character.