Skill Scale Down 2021

This skill has been impacted by the Skill Scale Down. The impact of this for this skill is as follows:

• The skill remains
• You may transfer Acting knowledge to Deception, if appropriate. If you do this, your Deception skill must be at least at the same level as your Acting skills was.
• A paragraph has been added to this write up - please see "Acting vs Deception" below.
• For how to deal with XP, please see the page Skill Scale Down 2021 for links, information, and a player guide.
• The scope of this skill has not changed - it is the technical skill and art of acting. Please ensure that you take this into account going forward.

Overview

It is no great secret what acting is, in regards to the vocational term for those that perform dramatic roles for entertainment. But it extends much further into real life than it does on the stage. From the child pretending innocence while hiding a stolen cookie behind their back, to a soldier claiming to have no information for their interrogators, acting is an everyday part of life.

While a costume can be a major aspect of an acting performance, its purpose is very nearly the opposite of a disguise. A costume is intended to be noticed, whereas a disguise is used to prevent notice. It is not until the function of the disguise gets into the realm of impersonation that it becomes synonymous with acting. So, any amount of both skills that a person possesses are likely to benefit each other towards the success of the performance, whatever its purpose.

But the purpose of an actor's use of these skills is to bring an invented personality to believable life. Other abilities, like Cosmetology, Linguistics and even Storytelling add elements to a person's ability to play a role, being the benefits of make-up, language and accent improvisation, and the ability to remember lines. But these do not touch on one primary intangible that sets the great actor apart from the good one: stage presence.

Charisma, poise, voice control, resolve, sincerity and absolute, unshakable confidence all combine to create a memorability that surpasses the usual performer. Again, this memorability is one of the primary factors that sets acting apart from the more disguise-oriented aspects of these collective skills. A good actor will have several of these skills. A great actor will have all of them.

Acting vs Deception

Acting and Deception are different skills for a reason. A N/PC with the Acting skill is skilled in the acting profession. This involves technical aspects of performance, stage directions etc.

Skill Ranks

Novice (0-25)

This actor will most likely be given roles where more experienced members of the troupe will be on hand to cover for their mistakes with improvised corrections. Members of the audience who have seen the plays before will most likely notice these gaffes, but have seen similar quirks in other plays, and find them to be an amusing added element.

Competent (26-75)

This is now the person on hand to smooth out errors on stage committed by others in the troupe. The competent actor is familiar with most popular works and has a few favorites of which they know several parts. This individual is able to perform from scripts now, without any fear of forgetting lines.

Expert (76-150)

Employees in other aspects of theater work seek this person's advice on how they should do their jobs. Only political interference will be an obstacle to this person gaining the lead role in any theater production. Locally, this person is flaunted as the "best actor ever", and has probably been heard of in many other cities as well. They can even improvise on stage, appearing comfortable and acting well, even if the situation is mildly suspicious.

Master (151-250)

Even politics stay out of the way of this actor's presentations. There would be serious backlash from citizens if this person was prevented from taking the stage. But it is an understandable concern for city authorities because their performances evoke such reactions from the audience that threats of anger and grief over the unfolding of the plots onstage frequently spill into the streets as people unleash the passions the actor has generated within them. The actor also has to worry about overwrought fans reacting to the drama created on the stage.

Progressing Acting

• Capstones
• Grandmasters
• Tier 2 PCs

Acting Knowledge

The collapsible below has examples of Skill Knowledge for this skill. If you are unsure of what Knowledge is, please check the Knowledge Primer for details. Please remember that our Peer Reviewers will be checking to make sure that your Knowledge claim is appropriate to what you have learned in the thread and ensuring that you are not duplicating knowledge.

A guide to knowledge can be found here (this link takes you to the site) and the person reviewing your thread will do so following the steps laid out in the [Peer Reviewer Guide]. If you wish to use one of these knowledge in your request, please ensure that it is appropriate to your thread.