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, 01:29 pm>I stand by my original statement that casting on the basis of >personality is a raw deal for all concerned. And add, that if a >director casts /against/ personality type he may well reveal a >new and fascinating interpretation of the character, which we >>(as AUDIENCES) may otherwise have been denied.
Once again Amanda, as far as I am concerned you've hit it right on the head.
This may be a tangent but, my usual practice when I get a part is to sit down and try to find the character in myself, try to find that little bit of soldier, whore or school girl that is inside me and examine it. Then blow it up into a whole personality. If I can't find it, I try to find someone i know and understand who has the important elements and I borrow them. Almost every character you play is an extension of yourself, it's ACTING but it comes from somewhere.
I'm one of these unlucky people who defy type and as a result I'm hard to cast. Not pretty enough for romantic lead, not ugly enough for kooky best friend. If everyone was going to cast to type, I'd never set foot on a stage. It should be part of a directors job to have some imagination and see past the past interpretations of the character or the inital physical limitations of the actor, as long as they arn't insurmountable. However, many directors do not have that kind of imagination, and as I result I think David is right, most directors will cast to type. The best ones won't.
Once again Amanda, as far as I am concerned you've hit it right on the head.
This may be a tangent but, my usual practice when I get a part is to sit down and try to find the character in myself, try to find that little bit of soldier, whore or school girl that is inside me and examine it. Then blow it up into a whole personality. If I can't find it, I try to find someone i know and understand who has the important elements and I borrow them. Almost every character you play is an extension of yourself, it's ACTING but it comes from somewhere.
I'm one of these unlucky people who defy type and as a result I'm hard to cast. Not pretty enough for romantic lead, not ugly enough for kooky best friend. If everyone was going to cast to type, I'd never set foot on a stage. It should be part of a directors job to have some imagination and see past the past interpretations of the character or the inital physical limitations of the actor, as long as they arn't insurmountable. However, many directors do not have that kind of imagination, and as I result I think David is right, most directors will cast to type. The best ones won't.
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