Technique? LaHibou...and other actors, should they materialize:
I know this is an exhaustive subject...in fact that's *all* I know about it...but do you know anything about various acting philosophies? Method acting, etc? (I know there are more than that but this is the only one that comes to mind at the moment). If so, could you educate this ignorant artist?
...and what the heck do they DO to actors at the Royal Shakespeare Company? Everyone who emerges alive from that place appears to be flawless no matter what they play.
I'm not really much of a student when it comes to acting, most of the acting ‘philosophies’ I have come across, or heard mentioned, have been abstract methods of ‘connecting’ the actor to their role – using as many wonderful terms as possible, and all useless…in my opinion.
I have always believed that you cannot teach anybody to act – it’s either there of it isn’t, it’s something you are born with and you can ‘try’ to teach or to acquire the skills – but without the talent within, you miss the point. Not that this stops anybody from enjoying great careers – three quarters of those on screen at least have no natural talent, so from that POV technique can play an important role.
There are many techniques concerning Vocal and physical methods, or emotional and kinetic response, and there are various styles such as Naturalism: Identifying with the whole character / existence of the role by the whole of the actor.
The Method, which you mentioned, which attempts to train actors to interpret roles via personal experience, and others like epic style,which teaches to play the part from a critical distance, or improvisation are all interesting angles, but all should be within the capabilities of the actor to begin with, but each actor is different and can benefit from a variety of approaches should they feel the need to look to them.
With film, and actor needs to develop more mental coordination and powers of concentration to keep up with non-sequential shooting schedules that make it difficult to maintain emotional intensity and pick up where you left off at a moments notice – but these are techniques that you gather naturally – if you don’t, you won’t succeed.
The RSC is just superb – a massive reputation built on huge successes. The training received there, such as verse-reading and classical style, is second to none, so great talents are honed further.
I feel a bit less in the dark now.
What is involved in the technique of acting using "critical distance"? I'm trying to picture how that would work with one's emotional output...but I just can't. :confused
If the bulk of the ability to act depends on talent, how does one *know* if one is talented or not? In this way, acting is somewhat at a disadvantage to the other arts: many kids pick up crayons or write in a diary and slowly begin to discover they enjoy/are good at it...but acting would require a child to have access to a stage, an audience and a whole set of accoutrements (not to mention a cast) before they could discover any sense of calling...
Am I wrong about this?
How would one who has never had access to these know if they were called or not?
It is a lot easier to know that you think you are talented, or to be told that you are than to know it for a fact yourself - I suppose it comes as a combination of enjoyment, feeling and feedback really....
I don't think anybody needs a stage or a play to realise that acting is within themselves. It follows you around, and you know that you are an actor long before any real desire to take the stage wells up from within - at least, this was the way with me...
I suppose it manifests itself in personality more than anything else. Anyone who 'acts up' in the pub, or tells great jokes with characterisations or is expressive with their body and face or is vocal and verbose etc could well find that they are suited to the stage or screen.
A lot of actors have the profession in the family so to speak, and inherit the love of the stage from parents, and there are those who walk into a studio to deliver pizzas and find themselves millionaire film stars a few years down the line.
There are people out there with Daddy putting them through RADA without so much as an inch of natural talent, and there are those who may never be 'called' - but have the makings of fantastic actors.
Still, in a profession in which 90% are unemployed at any one time, who needs more?
Thanks for the response...acting is the only art form I've never had ANY aptitude for at all and indeed, the ability to keep a crowd amused even in a casual setting is something I never felt comfortable doing...and therefore, am no good at.
I admire the level of confidence which is necassary to believe in what you're doing. Actors are under constant scrutiny from their audience for signs of doubt or disbelief which might ruin a performance. The more introverted arts have the luxury of affording one an unseen nervous breakdown in the middle of the work's making.
One more question for you...I seem to remember....a loooong time ago....*someone* said they were either going to mail me a copy of their film or let me know where it could be found in the states...
Quote: "I admire the level of confidence which is necassary to believe in what you're doing. Actors are under constant scrutiny from their audience for signs of doubt or disbelief which might ruin a performance. The more introverted arts have the luxury of affording one an unseen nervous breakdown in the middle of the work's making"
As an actor, I have never thought of acting like that. To me, the critiscm lies on the character you become.. not in the actor..
Basically, in other words, if I were to sing (something I have a huuuuuuge fear of doing in public) the audience would be judging me.. But if I were in character, it wouldn't be me.. but the character..
I don't know if that makes any sense..
Man, and I used to know about the different techniques.. But high school was a few years back, and I don't remember much of the techniques..
In on, there is a science to everything you do.. (ie: when sitting on stage, back up to the chair, and sit without looking down on a four beat count) and in the method acting, you become the character, and lose yourself while on stage.. so whatever you are doing, is actually the character.. most actors do a bit of both..
If I could change anything about my life right now, I would be doing some acting work.. I miss it terribly, and only wish I had a job that would allow me to perform more often.. -sighs- to live or to act....
Janny
In my experience, it is always the actor who is judged, seldom the character.
If the character is poor, people will wonder why the actor isn't making it a great one long before they discover that the script is written by a 5 year old...
Even if the script is a gem, your ability is scrutinised through the audition process before you are allowed your greasy mitts upon it, with anything up to a dozen people sat smugly behind desks and cameras as they put you through you paces.
Put it this way - if you were to sing in character, and you sang badly, people wouldn't be saying "That darned Heathcliff - never could maintain those high notes..."
No, they would be saying "That Janny can't sing for toffee" or "Oh God - somebody threw a chair onto the stage" That, or simply start hurling the rotten fruit as soon as you finish the first bar!
People do suspend belief when they watch actors perform, but they always know there's an actor on the stage.
They allllllways know.......
Nous'
Ya might have turned 30, but the memory's as sharp as ever
If mine serves, you are referring to Nine Tenths, and I shall indeed send you a copy - it's still not out on general release, but I might be able to dig up a DV copy - no DVDs as yet though - I shall keep you posted on that and my last project as well, which has just gone to 35mm...
I know the feeling LaHibou! I'm paid once a month...and it seems I end up "dining" upon the charity of friends for the last two weeks of each month.
You have, however, caught me at the beginning of this one.
Since I would most certainly pay to see your performance on stage or in a film, I would be more than happy to pay for DVD if one can be located. Just let me know what to send and where to send it...within reason, of course.
Re: Technique?
Alas, I know.. But that was how I got over stage fright.. Now because of your logical explanation I may never get on stage again. ( i jest of course)
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