Every piece of equipment has its own personality. Sometimes it will work well for you and at other times it just wants to play around. Some people will even have an affinity for electronics, the ability to bring out the best in any given cord, card or motherboard. But the video camera is in a league of its own. Not only do they have their individual quirks, they have a collective consciousness. As actors, we have to know whether cameras love us, hate us or can be fooled into changing their minds.

Think it crazy if you will, but magic does happen somewhere between the actor and the screen, and it's entirely independent of all post production procedures. The nature of this magic and the degree to which it has an impact will determine how much of our work ends up on the cutting room floor, how well we portray our characters and ultimately, our employability.

Understanding this magic is half the battle won for the actor. Camera Magic falls into one of four categories: Woefully Unlucky, Indifference, Lucky Devil and Chameleon.

Those in the Woefully Unlucky group will always appear worse on camera than they do in real life. This may be on the audio side of things but this curse is usually apparent visually. Excluding the actor's ego, this is not necessarily a bad thing - provided that actor is aware of it. If the camera makes an otherwise normal feature stand out like a pimple on a pumpkin, the actor can go from good looking to average or average to ugly. Given that all types of people are needed to portray life, these people simply need to find their niche.

Indifference is the 'limbo' group. The people in this group are either yet to define their Camera Magic or have none either way. They appear on camera just as they would in their day-to-day lives. Working on the assumption that every actor has an accurate self image (flawed logic, I know, but we have to start somewhere) then those in this group know just how to pitch themselves for roles that suit them.

The Lucky Devils are an infuriating bunch. They are the Cinderellas of the acting world. Normally nondescript or just on the sunny side of good looking, they turn into the most beautiful swans on camera. It's as though the camera dons a special pair of rose coloured glasses just for them. They look amazing no matter what they do. Not only is their Camera Magic maddening just in the fact they possess it, but Lucky Devils get more roles. Talent can get pushed aside for these people and the unfairness stings those in the lower ranks. Almost without exception, Lucky Devils know that they're in this blessed group.

The Chameleons are those that hop through the levels of Camera Magic regularly and never quite know where they stand. They will undoubtedly have spent a lot of time in Indifference, but will also experience times of both the Woefully Unlucky and the Lucky Devil.

Generally speaking, the majority of people are in Indifference. Whether or not they know they are, is a whole other story. Likewise, there aren't many people in either of the extremes. From memory, I've only come across one of the Woefully Unlucky but if I was in this category, I would seriously consider a career change.

It's for life

From what I can gather, any one person's Camera Magic doesn't change and nor can they in any way influence or sway the direction of it. Chameleons may have a little control on any given day with the help of make-up or caffeine, but this theory is still untested.

While any given actor may not be sure of the condition of their own Camera Magic, they will certainly be able to pick what everyone else is and the dynamics of a group of actors will change accordingly. The group will flock to the Lucky Devils in the hope of shining in their reflected glory and the Woefully Unlucky spiral downwards. In other words, it can be high school all over again.

But the good news is that there's a rare breed of people well versed in the lore of Camera Magic: Casting Directors. They usually know, upon meeting, the status of any given actor. Sometimes it might not be seen on the small display screen of the camera, but once it's on a bigger screen, the audience can be blown away.

No matter what side of the camera you're on, Camera Magic does exist - forewarned is forearmed - and if you find a way to appease the Camera Magic Gods, patent your formula before you share it.

By Juanita Grayson

Juanita Grayson has been acting from the age seven and while she is working towards her Academy Awards she can be found on set of movies, television shows, documentaries and commercials. No stranger to theatre, she enjoys the thrill of a live audience but is secure with the proximity of screen. Having been bitten by the film bug in her teens, she includes mountain tops, pool bottoms and beaches as her favourite location shoots.

Often sporting a rather feisty attitude, Juanita comes with a passion for travel, food (both cooking and eating), glass painting, a good argument and cycling on flat ground. She completed her first crossword about two years ago and has a rather large pool of useless, miscellaneous facts. Taking up Squash on a challenge, she is yet to win a game but surprisingly adept at returning tricky shots. Juanita has an obsession for hammocks and is the creator of what may be the worlds first Cherry Daiquiri.

For more information on Juanita, please visit www.at2.com.au/Juanita.Grayson