David Thomson, Steve Wasserman: On Acting (BABF 2015)

Summary

In a conversation between writer David Thompson and his friend, publisher and former literary agent Steve Wasserman, the two discuss the art and craft of acting. They delve into why humans are fascinated by actors, the interplay between a performer's real self and their character, and actors' insecurities. They trace acting's evolution, argue it reveals truth about human nature, and debate whether actors are born or made. The discussion encompasses acting's power, the role of luck, what constitutes great acting, and more, while emphasizing that the audience is essential for the actor's work to have meaning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acting fascinates us because actors are pretending to be someone else, allowing us to watch both the character and the real person
• 😮 Actors have an urge to pretend and try to present an idealized version of themselves, just as we all do in everyday life
• 🤔 Many great actors are not happy people - their insecurity and unhappiness drives their talent
• 👀 Film and photography changed our relationship with acting by making actors recognizable celebrities
• 😠 The acting profession is filled with rejection and unemployment even for dedicated actors
• 🎭 Acting requires skill in modulation and adjustment to become different people for different audiences
• 🎬 Movies today rarely have the creative freedom that allowed superb 1970s films like Taxi Driver
• 🎤 Great acting often requires doing very little - just being powerfully present
• 🍀 Luck plays a huge role in acting success - getting the right part at the right time
• 🎓 While acting education exists, life experience is the most important teacher for actors

Q & A

What does David Thompson believe is at the core of why people are fascinated by actors?

He believes people are fascinated by actors because they are pretending to be someone else. We are watching both the character they are playing and the real person we think we know.

How does David Thompson explain why people have an urge to pretend or try to be someone else?

He believes it's because in life, we are always trying to present the best version of ourselves to other people. We adjust how we act depending on who we are interacting with.

What point does David Thompson make about why acting can be difficult for some actors?

He explains that the unhappiness or nervous energy that makes someone a great actor can also make them unhappy in their personal lives. Some actors struggle with the fact that what drives their great performances causes them pain.

How did film change people's relationship with acting, according to David Thompson?

He explains that early film stars like Charlie Chaplin were seen as larger than life on the big screen. This let people identify with and fantasize about being actors themselves more than ever before.

What does David see as one of the hardest tests of great acting?

He believes one of the greatest tests is having nothing to do but still being utterly compelling. Simply sitting still on stage and being impossible to ignore showcases truly masterful acting.

What point does Steve make about how acting has impacted history?

He discusses how John Wilkes Booth leaping onto the stage to assassinate Lincoln shows in an extreme way how acting can dramatically shape events. Booth made the theater of history much larger.

What does David say helps explain Robert De Niro's decline in later roles?

He speculates that as De Niro became more interested in business and money, he started taking projects he wouldn't have earlier in his career. His attitude became duller as he likely became disillusioned.

What does David highlight as a key element of great acting?

He emphasizes a refined sensitivity that lets an actor translate the urge to pretend into believable speech and movement. An inner emotional intelligence guides the performance.

What role does David think luck plays in acting success?

He believes luck is crucial, as getting the right part at the right time with the right co-stars and director can make all the difference. Missed chances shape careers significantly.

How does David think people could benefit from acting exercises?

He suggests bringing strangers together, having them create fictional situations, cast roles, and think through acting choices. This creative collaboration would provide life insights.