Rowan Atkinson Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters

Summary

The video explores Rowan Atkinson's iconic characters, delving into the creative process behind roles like Mr. Bean, Johnny English, Blackadder, and Trevor Bingley from Man vs Bee. Atkinson reflects on how he develops characters, balancing realism with comedy, and the challenges of filming, from CGI bees to physically demanding stunts. He contrasts the anarchic humor of Mr. Bean with the clever cynicism of Blackadder and the ambitious yet inept Johnny English. Through anecdotes about location shoots, character evolution, and comedic philosophy, the video offers an insightful and entertaining look at Atkinson's approach to making memorable, enduring comedic performances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rowan Atkinson discusses creating the character Trevor Bingley in 'Man vs Bee', highlighting his niceness and relatability compared to his other roles.
• 😀 'Man vs Bee' involved complex filming logistics due to COVID, requiring multiple locations and a constructed studio house with no garden.
• 😀 Atkinson prefers wide shots in comedy, citing Charlie Chaplin's idea that comedy works better from a distance.
• 😀 The humor in Mr Bean arises from his selfishness and anarchic, childlike behavior, unlike more three-dimensional characters like Trevor.
• 😀 CGI was used to bring the bee in 'Man vs Bee' to life, though many scenes relied on puppetry and Atkinson's imagination.
• 😀 Mr Bean was first developed on stage in 1979, with early sketches being silent and later given a name for television.
• 😀 'Mr Bean's Holiday' involved physically demanding scenes, emphasizing real stunts over CGI whenever possible at the time.
• 😀 Blackadder is a recurring historical character showing progression from prince to butler, with humor stemming from hierarchy and cynicism.
• 😀 Atkinson often collaborated with writers like Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, adapting styles to fit the production budget and comedic needs.
• 😀 Johnny English is a comedic spy character whose humor comes from overreaching ambition versus actual skill, evolving from a Barclaycard commercial character.

Q & A

Who is Trevor Bingley in 'Man vs Bee' and what are his defining characteristics?

Trevor Bingley is the protagonist of 'Man vs Bee'. He is depicted as a very nice, decent family man who has recently gone through a divorce and is short on money. Unlike Mr Bean, he is more three-dimensional and realistic.

What challenges did the production of 'Man vs Bee' face during filming?

The production struggled to find a suitable house for filming due to COVID-19 restrictions, so they had to create a house set in the studio. This required multiple locations for interiors and gardens to achieve the desired visuals.

How does the humor in 'Man vs Bee' differ from Mr Bean's style?

While Mr Bean's humor arises from his selfishness and anarchic nature, Trevor's humor comes from him being a generally nice man who becomes obsessed and self-centered in specific situations. Making Trevor more three-dimensional does not automatically make him funny; it is his behavioral shifts that create comedy.

How was the bee represented in 'Man vs Bee'?

The bee was represented using a combination of a plastic bee on a rod, professional puppeteers, and CGI. Some scenes required the actor to mime interactions with an imaginary bee.

Why did Rowan Atkinson enjoy playing Mr Bean the most?

Rowan Atkinson enjoyed Mr Bean because the character is very different from his own personality, allowing him a sense of escape and freedom. Mr Bean's odd, selfish, and anarchic traits made playing the character a fun and unique experience.

What were the origins of the Mr Bean character?

Mr Bean was first developed in 1979 on stage through two silent sketches: one on the beach and one in a church. The character initially had no name since the sketches were wordless. The name 'Mr Bean' was later chosen for the television adaptation because it was short, sharp, and memorable.

What challenges did Rowan Atkinson face while filming 'Mr Bean's Holiday'?

He faced extreme physical exhaustion during a scene where Mr Bean overtakes a peloton of cyclists. Despite the cyclists moving slowly, the effort required was significant because the stunts were performed for real rather than relying on CGI or safety modifications.

How is the character of Blackadder structured across the series?

Blackadder appears in four series, each set in a different era of British history. Rowan Atkinson plays a descendant of the previous series' character. The character is generally middle-management, clever but stuck in a hierarchy, and exhibits cynical humor.

What is the concept behind the Johnny English character?

Johnny English is a British spy whose ambition always exceeds his skill, creating humor through the discrepancy between his perception of himself and reality. The character originated from Richard Latham in Barclaycard commercials before evolving into a feature film role.

How did practical effects influence Rowan Atkinson's performances?

Atkinson often performed stunts and interacted with props or imagined objects for real, enhancing the authenticity and comedic impact of the scenes. This included driving stunts, rope-swinging, and miming interactions with CGI or puppet characters.

How does Rowan Atkinson describe the process of shooting early Mr Bean sketches?

He preferred the simplicity and low cost of early sketches, often shot with wide camera angles. He believed, echoing Charlie Chaplin, that comedy is enhanced in long shots and that visual space can naturally make a situation funnier.

What role did historical accuracy play in Blackadder?

While Blackadder was set in historical periods, the focus was on humor rather than strict historical accuracy. The series was crafted around social hierarchies and status dynamics rather than precise historical events.