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.
I can see you playing this role...
Sun, 20 May 2001, 11:13 pmI gotta say I disagree with you on this one bud. I've only been doing this for a couple of years, and to be honest I TEND to get cast as the wimpy snag types (read: Laurie Laurence - Little Women). However, I recently had a would-be director say to me "I can see you playing (censored-because-I-don't-want-to-let-the-cat-out-of-the-bag-about-the-production) in (and again),". I have never played a role like this one.
When someone says "I can see you playing this character," I take it to mean that they think I might be capable of doing this, despite what they've seen me in, and would like me to audition so they can test the theory out. The director in question has seen me play an Orang-utan and a Queen's toy-boy, so if they're using that as some sort of benchmark then quite frankly I'm disturbed at their vision for the production.
No aggro, it's just that I feel that these comments are what you make of them.
When someone says "I can see you playing this character," I take it to mean that they think I might be capable of doing this, despite what they've seen me in, and would like me to audition so they can test the theory out. The director in question has seen me play an Orang-utan and a Queen's toy-boy, so if they're using that as some sort of benchmark then quite frankly I'm disturbed at their vision for the production.
No aggro, it's just that I feel that these comments are what you make of them.
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