Is it all just an ILLUSION?
Tue, 27 May 2003, 03:30 pmWalter Plinge16 posts in thread
Is it all just an ILLUSION?
Tue, 27 May 2003, 03:30 pmI have been studying acting on and off for about 3 years and have come across a number of interpretations of teachers and actors about the whole process. It is all just an illusion, if it looks real its good enough ..... after all its a "craft".
While other actors and teachers believed that it is an art and it is possible to live the part and become the character. The actor is the creator under the guidence of the director.
Are we all just a bunch of crafty illusionists or are we cabable of creating and living the part?
To me Art has more meaning than craft, and I have seen the attitudes in fellow actors, directors and teachers the difference of those who "fake" it convincingly and those who mean it with all their heart.
It has to have meaning otherwise whats the point of doing it? After all the purpose of the actor ultimately is to move the audience?
We can't do that by faking it?
If we do who does that make us, to cheat the audience like that.
While other actors and teachers believed that it is an art and it is possible to live the part and become the character. The actor is the creator under the guidence of the director.
Are we all just a bunch of crafty illusionists or are we cabable of creating and living the part?
To me Art has more meaning than craft, and I have seen the attitudes in fellow actors, directors and teachers the difference of those who "fake" it convincingly and those who mean it with all their heart.
It has to have meaning otherwise whats the point of doing it? After all the purpose of the actor ultimately is to move the audience?
We can't do that by faking it?
If we do who does that make us, to cheat the audience like that.
Re: Is it all just an ILLUSION?
Wed, 28 May 2003, 02:26 pmJust reading through this interesting dicsussion (there's been a few lately). Paul, I get what you're saying (I think).
Everything in life has two 'sides' (at least) and the irony is that without both sides, there is no whole.
Does an actor deceive? Well, technically he does. An actor is presupposed to be creating a character that is not necessarily the actor. However, the way in which they do this can vary. Some may move closer to "Art" while others hover around "Craft" to use the terms you guys have been tossing. However, I do not believe that one can be completely "Art" or "Craft". There must be aspects of both.
Daz, do you feel that in learning you form of method acting that you are developing Skills or Technique in creating an internal Truth? While your goal is the Art of the thing, it sounds to me like you're using a Craft to assist.
Certainly some actors rely heavily on tricks and pre-programmed type moves and inflections in order to create their performance, but doesn't there have to be some level of internal truth in order to pull it off successfully? And equally the same for the depth of passion without technique.
I believe that I have seen actting performed at both extremes (and have even done so myself) and I am certain that those performances that are done at either extreme are extremely transparent and unbelievable.
An actor deceives his audience by definition. However, actors can deceive themselves at times. A good actor is able to walk the fine line between the two to achieve a convincing performance.
Maybe that's what it comes down to. Acting is the harmonious balance between deceiving your audience, and deceiving yourself.
Jeff "In denile" Watkins
Everything in life has two 'sides' (at least) and the irony is that without both sides, there is no whole.
Does an actor deceive? Well, technically he does. An actor is presupposed to be creating a character that is not necessarily the actor. However, the way in which they do this can vary. Some may move closer to "Art" while others hover around "Craft" to use the terms you guys have been tossing. However, I do not believe that one can be completely "Art" or "Craft". There must be aspects of both.
Daz, do you feel that in learning you form of method acting that you are developing Skills or Technique in creating an internal Truth? While your goal is the Art of the thing, it sounds to me like you're using a Craft to assist.
Certainly some actors rely heavily on tricks and pre-programmed type moves and inflections in order to create their performance, but doesn't there have to be some level of internal truth in order to pull it off successfully? And equally the same for the depth of passion without technique.
I believe that I have seen actting performed at both extremes (and have even done so myself) and I am certain that those performances that are done at either extreme are extremely transparent and unbelievable.
An actor deceives his audience by definition. However, actors can deceive themselves at times. A good actor is able to walk the fine line between the two to achieve a convincing performance.
Maybe that's what it comes down to. Acting is the harmonious balance between deceiving your audience, and deceiving yourself.
Jeff "In denile" Watkins
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