IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA SELF-PERFORMANCE ON PROFESSIONAL ACTING SKILLS: A STUDY OF DIGITAL SELF-PRESENTATION AND ACTOR DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The rise of social media platforms has transformed the way individuals perform, communicate, and construct identities in the digital age. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook encourage users to present curated versions of themselves through videos, photographs, livestreams, and short-form content. This phenomenon, often referred to as self-performance, has become particularly relevant to actors, who increasingly use social media as a space for self-promotion, audience engagement, and creative expression. This research paper examines the impact of social media self-performance on professional acting skills. By analyzing concepts from performance studies, media theory, psychology, and actor training, the study investigates both the positive and negative influences of digital self-presentation on acting abilities. The findings suggest that while social media can enhance confidence, camera awareness, improvisation, and audience engagement, excessive reliance on self-performance may encourage superficial characterization, reduced emotional depth, and the prioritization of personal branding over artistic development.

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