Screen chemistry is that magical connection that actors create on camera that makes us want to keep watching. We see it on daytime soaps, shows like Empire and almost every movie ever made. Chemistry between actors include Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in Barbie, and Only Murders in the Building‘s comedy trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.

Some acting chemistry is good, some is bad and some is scorching, so how and when do you create it?

Tips for Creating Acting Chemistry

The first place you may need to create a sense of chemistry is before or during your audition. It is also one of the hardest places to do this because you are creating chemistry with a reader or a casting director, who are often not actors. Come in with strong choices for the relationships between your character and the other characters in your sides. 

That means you must create different relationships that your character will have with each additional character. This will give you the best chance at strong chemistry. It isn’t enough to just think about your character, you have to consider the other characters and the psychological interactions they may have as well. 

To be clear, it is up to you to create chemistry. You may be paired up with an actor we are not going to cast. You still must give a strong read and try to develop a rapport with someone less talented. 

Your attitude will be crucial as well. Don’t get frustrated. Take lemons and make lemonade. 

Chemistry is not reserved for love interests or intimate scenes. There’s comedic chemistry, which works in comedy acts and scene partners. Family members should also have onscreen chemistry to convey believable relationships between each character. Think about the specific relationship and create your part of that whether it’s at the audition or on the set.

How Create Acting Chemistry for Self Tapes

Is it possible to create chemistry for a self-tape? Yes. 

Any time you tape an audition, you have a scene partner. The camera, which by extension, is the casting director. It’s a lot tougher to quantify chemistry with casting directors via camera than it is when they watch you with a scene partner. That acting chemistry can still be seen and felt through the lens.

Chemistry is that emotional connection that casting directors feel as they watch your performance on your self tape. Actors don’t typically look into camera in films and movies (except Phoebe Waller-Bridge, of course). However, in a self tape audition, you’re looking right into the camera so that you can create that real connection.

If it helps, ask a friend or family member to stand directly behind the camera as you do your self tape audition. Casting won’t even know they’re there, plus you have a human being to connect to, which might make it easier for you to create that chemistry.

What are Acting Chemistry Tests?

Most screen chemistry tests occur during one of the callbacks or on a sound stage at the very last stage of casting. In many cases, it all comes down to the chemistry when casting decides which actor gets the role. Casting directors want to see how you look and act together. They also want to see how you get along. 

Even if all actors from one group aren’t cast, the casting director gets to see how you collaborate with your fellow artists. This will be important on the set if you have a lead or series regular role. In the worst-case scenario, it can be very expensive if you’re hired for a lead or contract player gig on a soap only for everyone to learn a month later that you do not play well with others.

Of course, the ultimate acting chemistry test occurs on the first day you report for work on the set. Once you have the part, there’s no turning back, so that chemistry needs to show up, too. 

That being said, sometimes, you may have to force it. You won’t get along with every actor you work with, nor will will you have instant chemistry every time. However, you need to make the best of every situation because you and your fellow actors are all under contract and re-casting anyone is prohibitive.

We hope you get along well with your co-stars in every project and that you create incredible chemistry immediately. If it isn’t there, you’re going to want to work at creating it because that chemistry is imperative to a successful acting career.

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