What is right and what is wrong
Thu, 12 Apr 2001, 11:20 amdEAN9 posts in thread
What is right and what is wrong
Thu, 12 Apr 2001, 11:20 amI am writing this, i guess, simply just to see who else has been in a situation similar to mine, who can relate and perhaps, what certain directors may have to say on the subject.
I was cast in a play not long ago. A great play. A play of which i have always been fond of, and, passionate about.
I get cast in a supporting role, and just feel privlliged enough that i have the chance of being in this play. Until i meet the person who is to play one of the leading roles.
I was shoked at his dreadful reading ability, his inability to express the true meaning of the character and his obvious lack of preparation, all of which, i am hoping will improve.
Has anyone ever been in that situation. I'm sure you have.
Directors - have you ever cast someone for a particular role, a leading role, and then wished you hadn't. Realised that this perhaps wasn't the right person for the part, and that perhaps someone else in the cast had the "right goods" for the part?
What did you do about it? Have you ever changed things around? Or are there any of you out there who would admit to not changing for whatever reason, and perhaps even regretting it?. If so - why?. Why did you do it?
Who can relate to this?. Who has ever felt that the casting in the play they were in was unjustifiable?.
Now, i know this is amateur theatre, but we all strive to be professional in our work.
I have worked with some outstanding talent, and talent fitting for the role. But sometimes, just sometimes......it all looks a bit miffed.
I was cast in a play not long ago. A great play. A play of which i have always been fond of, and, passionate about.
I get cast in a supporting role, and just feel privlliged enough that i have the chance of being in this play. Until i meet the person who is to play one of the leading roles.
I was shoked at his dreadful reading ability, his inability to express the true meaning of the character and his obvious lack of preparation, all of which, i am hoping will improve.
Has anyone ever been in that situation. I'm sure you have.
Directors - have you ever cast someone for a particular role, a leading role, and then wished you hadn't. Realised that this perhaps wasn't the right person for the part, and that perhaps someone else in the cast had the "right goods" for the part?
What did you do about it? Have you ever changed things around? Or are there any of you out there who would admit to not changing for whatever reason, and perhaps even regretting it?. If so - why?. Why did you do it?
Who can relate to this?. Who has ever felt that the casting in the play they were in was unjustifiable?.
Now, i know this is amateur theatre, but we all strive to be professional in our work.
I have worked with some outstanding talent, and talent fitting for the role. But sometimes, just sometimes......it all looks a bit miffed.
RE: What is right and what is wrong
Thu, 12 Apr 2001, 12:27 pmDean, I have seen the other side of this as both a Director and an Actor.
You roll up at an Audition and there is someone who reads beautifuly, and six weeks into the rehersal process they are still reading beautifuly!
No character development or input of their own, script still in hand, sounding lovely, but getting nowhere. Also they manage to hold everyone back as they stumble around the stage with their head buried in their script.
As a Director I have seen many people at an Audition who read terribly, possibly from nerves,once I found out after I cast someone who read badly that they were Dsylexic but desperatly wanted to "have a go" that individual will never be a great actor but is now one of the more dedicated club members.
If it's a young cool surfer dude you need for the part it doesnt matter if the thirtyfive year old reads well, they just won't work in the part.
Some of the worst readers I have cast have been the first to get the script out of their hands and have generaly been some of the most daring in experimenting with their character.
I suppose what I am saying that a good reader doesn't necassarily mean they will be a good actor or will "look right"
When I was at High School ( early seventies) I was not allowed to join the drama club because I wasn't in Advanced English! Consequently it was full of good students , but lousy actors!
You roll up at an Audition and there is someone who reads beautifuly, and six weeks into the rehersal process they are still reading beautifuly!
No character development or input of their own, script still in hand, sounding lovely, but getting nowhere. Also they manage to hold everyone back as they stumble around the stage with their head buried in their script.
As a Director I have seen many people at an Audition who read terribly, possibly from nerves,once I found out after I cast someone who read badly that they were Dsylexic but desperatly wanted to "have a go" that individual will never be a great actor but is now one of the more dedicated club members.
If it's a young cool surfer dude you need for the part it doesnt matter if the thirtyfive year old reads well, they just won't work in the part.
Some of the worst readers I have cast have been the first to get the script out of their hands and have generaly been some of the most daring in experimenting with their character.
I suppose what I am saying that a good reader doesn't necassarily mean they will be a good actor or will "look right"
When I was at High School ( early seventies) I was not allowed to join the drama club because I wasn't in Advanced English! Consequently it was full of good students , but lousy actors!