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?
Mon, 14 May 2001, 11:46 amAmanda's comments that she is always cast as the bitch/whore I found interesting....
Before my doctor put the nix on my directing Oleanna, Amanda had enquired about auditioning. Immediately I could see potential because I see in her a fragility and vulnerability (as well as internal strength).
Interesting how different directors see the same person.
When I am casting I look for aspects of the character within the actor....BUT often they are aspects of their personality that perhaps are rarely accessed or difficult to see. I think you do need to draw the character from within and then develop from there.
If there is nothing of the character in the actor at all, then I don't think you are going to get a good performance, no matter how talented they are.
There is such a thing as being simply wrong for a role.
Kim
Before my doctor put the nix on my directing Oleanna, Amanda had enquired about auditioning. Immediately I could see potential because I see in her a fragility and vulnerability (as well as internal strength).
Interesting how different directors see the same person.
When I am casting I look for aspects of the character within the actor....BUT often they are aspects of their personality that perhaps are rarely accessed or difficult to see. I think you do need to draw the character from within and then develop from there.
If there is nothing of the character in the actor at all, then I don't think you are going to get a good performance, no matter how talented they are.
There is such a thing as being simply wrong for a role.
Kim
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···
- ···