A Borderless Acting Classroom: Unlocking Potential Through “Voice” and Cross-Platform Acting Arts in the NEXT FACE ROBLOX Season 2 Master Class
Who would have thought that a communication app like Discord could transform into a powerful “acting studio”? Today,in NEXT FACE ROBLOX Season 2, I (DJPleum) and the mentor team hosted a special Acting Master Class via the show’s Discord server. Our goal was to break down the barriers of cost and opportunity for our contestants — kids with big dreams but lacking the financial resources to access real-world acting classes.
Delving into the Differences: The Art of Acting Tuned by “Platform” Besides teaching voice projection, another key highlight of this class was laying the foundation for understanding the “space” of acting. I emphasized to the kids that, as a professional actor, “playing big” or “playing small” isn’t solely dependent on emotion. It requires analyzing which platform the work will be shown on:
- MOVIE: The art of realism. The giant cinema screen magnifies every detail, so the performance must focus on deep inner emotion. The eyes must tell the story without the need for overly grand body language.
- THEATER: The exact opposite of film. Actors must use immense energy, project a resonant voice, and use the broadest, clearest body language possible to ensure the emotion reaches the audience in the very back row.
- DRAMA: Focuses on clear communication. The rhythm of the dialogue must be engaging enough to keep viewers glued to the screen, amplifying feelings to resonate with a wide audience.
- MV: A performance often completely detached from the actor’s spoken voice. The core is using “eyes and gestures” to communicate emotion in harmony with the rhythm and meaning of the song.
- SHORT FORM: The battlefield of the digital age (e.g., TikTok, Reels). Acting must be concise, energetic, and able to “hook” the viewer’s eyes within the first 3 seconds. The inner emotion must be direct and instantly understandable.
- TVC ADS: Commercial acting requires precise timing. Actors must project their charm as quickly as possible to communicate the brand’s Key Message and sell the product within mere seconds.
Improv Workshop: When Discord Becomes a Roleplay Arena After grasping the theory, the ultimate fun was the Workshop session, where we created simulated scenarios for the kids to perform live improvisation. If any kid didn’t have a partner, an experienced mentor would jump in and roleplay as their scene partner.
Today’s acting prompts were incredibly diverse and challenged their imaginations:
- Ice and Badr: A thrilling “Necklace Theft” scenario that required wit and vocal survival instincts.
- Syrax and Salmon: A Boys’ Love (BL) series prompt featuring an “International School Boy and a Temple School Boy,” requiring them to communicate the contrast in social status through dialogue.
- Emilia and Mentor Anda: A sharp-edged drama about “Ruthless Best Friends,” where one is scheming to steal the other’s boyfriend.
- Rene and Mentor Yaya: An extreme character clash between a “Polite Girl and a Skoy (Rebellious Street Girl),” which brought out massive laughs and showcased their provocative inner attitudes.
- Milacle and DJPleum: A BL roleplay featuring a “Famous Singer and His Fanboy Boyfriend.” I personally stepped in to act alongside Miracle, helping to draw out the rhythm of his emotional exchange so he could fully showcase his skills.
Evaluation and Mutual Learning The results from today’s class left me and the mentor team incredibly impressed with the kids’ abilities. After each scene, the mentor team collectively evaluated the performances, pointing out each child’s “Strengths” and “Areas for Development” with straightforward honesty. Understanding the acting context for each platform allowed them to adjust their acting scale remarkably well.
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But the most beautiful aspect of this class was that after the campaign ended, it wasn’t just the kids who learned; the mentors “learned alongside the kids” as well. Witnessing the kids’ unexpected script interpretations, thought processes,and fresh acting rhythms helped polish and develop the skills of the mentors themselves, preparing us to guide them in the show’s upcoming Acting Campaign.
This small virtual stage on Discord and the Roblox game is, therefore, both a “Classroom” that provides opportunities for Thai youths dreaming of becoming actors or Acting Coaches to practice, and a “Growth Space” that teaches real-world professionals like us to evolve right alongside them.
