Is acting casting?
Sat, 12 May 2001, 01:53 amWalter Plinge44 posts in thread
Is acting casting?
Sat, 12 May 2001, 01:53 amI have a theory: that acting is casting.
If a character in a play is urbane and sophisticated, then you cast an urbane and sophisticated actor. If the character is neurotic, you cast a neurotic actor. That kind of thing.
If, instead of asking a loose-hipped type to play a starched collar, or an intellectual to play an ignorant, uneducated type, a director were to cast actors who are as close as possible to type, how different do you think it would make the process of working and playing the piece?
How many actors can actually play anything? And how many are only good within a limited range of roles? And can a director justify casting their play entirely with "types", who match -- IRL -- some or all of the characteristics of the people they're playing?
I had thought of making this a poll, but I think it's better served in this forum, where lengthy dissertations -- in either direction -- can be offered.
I look forward to a substantial, thought-provoking debate,
peace,
David M.
If a character in a play is urbane and sophisticated, then you cast an urbane and sophisticated actor. If the character is neurotic, you cast a neurotic actor. That kind of thing.
If, instead of asking a loose-hipped type to play a starched collar, or an intellectual to play an ignorant, uneducated type, a director were to cast actors who are as close as possible to type, how different do you think it would make the process of working and playing the piece?
How many actors can actually play anything? And how many are only good within a limited range of roles? And can a director justify casting their play entirely with "types", who match -- IRL -- some or all of the characteristics of the people they're playing?
I had thought of making this a poll, but I think it's better served in this forum, where lengthy dissertations -- in either direction -- can be offered.
I look forward to a substantial, thought-provoking debate,
peace,
David M.
RE: Is acting casting?
Sun, 13 May 2001, 10:08 amWalter Plinge
There is a big difference between acting and playing yourself. The character is not you, and should you have any of your own characteristics in it, then it is not a character. Look at any brilliant actor, and you will see that no two characters of theirs are the same, and yet every character is nothing like that.
Typecasting is done becuase it is easier and cheaper in the industry. but I'd rather a good actor any day as opposed to some one playing themselves reading lines.
Look at any great actor, such as Laurence Olivier or even Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump was a brilliant CHARACTER, and was nothing like Tom Hanks.Or even take Rowan Aitkenson. A brilliant physical comic, yet you see an interview with him, and he is like a Rhodes scholar.
Then look at someone like Arnold Schwartznigger (?) and tell me in the same breath that he is as good as Tom Hanks, and I'm talking ACTING, not box office!
It is comments like that that reinforce the difference between amateur productions, with a bunch of untrained PERSONALITIES, and professionals who are constanly in CHARACTER.
There is a difference between an ACTOR playing a CHARACTER, and a CHARACTER playing an ACTOR. Community theatre is where you'll find more of the latter. Support professional theatre and keep these "proper" actors employed. Leave it to the ones that know what they are doing, not the one who THINK they know what they are doing (and that they are brilliant at it)
Typecasting is done becuase it is easier and cheaper in the industry. but I'd rather a good actor any day as opposed to some one playing themselves reading lines.
Look at any great actor, such as Laurence Olivier or even Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump was a brilliant CHARACTER, and was nothing like Tom Hanks.Or even take Rowan Aitkenson. A brilliant physical comic, yet you see an interview with him, and he is like a Rhodes scholar.
Then look at someone like Arnold Schwartznigger (?) and tell me in the same breath that he is as good as Tom Hanks, and I'm talking ACTING, not box office!
It is comments like that that reinforce the difference between amateur productions, with a bunch of untrained PERSONALITIES, and professionals who are constanly in CHARACTER.
There is a difference between an ACTOR playing a CHARACTER, and a CHARACTER playing an ACTOR. Community theatre is where you'll find more of the latter. Support professional theatre and keep these "proper" actors employed. Leave it to the ones that know what they are doing, not the one who THINK they know what they are doing (and that they are brilliant at it)
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