Film4 - Actors on Acting (Advice)

Summary

The actor discusses the thrill of embracing complex characters and the importance of grounding them in reality despite their larger-than-life nature. He emphasizes the need for deep preparation and the freedom to explore during filming. The passion for acting since a young age and the desire to create multifaceted characters that resonate with audiences is highlighted, along with the joy of portraying a wide range of emotions and the value of acting as a tool for personal growth and understanding diverse human experiences.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The actor thrives on challenges and is drawn to complex characters that push their boundaries.
• 🤹‍♂️ They find excitement in the 'tightrope walk' of playing roles that are not easily achievable, which keeps them and the audience engaged.
• 🎬 The actor believes that all emotions, from love to laughter, need to be grounded in a form of reality to be convincing on screen.
• 🧩 They feel fortunate to play characters that are flawed yet real, which makes them relatable and loveable.
• 🎭 The actor's job is to embody a character so fully that the audience believes they are that person.
• 📚 Preparation is crucial for the actor, regardless of the film's budget, involving extensive homework and being equipped with ideas.
• 🎭 They value the freedom to explore different avenues during filming, which contributes to their enjoyment and creativity.
• 🌐 Incorporating real-life experiences into their work is important, as it adds depth and relevance to their performances.
• 🎬 The actor has a lifelong passion for acting, inspired by classic films and great performers, and strives to achieve similar excellence.
• 💪 They are drawn to characters with strong backgrounds and appreciate the opportunity to play roles that challenge stereotypes.
• 🤝 The actor sees acting as a form of '3D anthropology', where they dig into the collective emotions of humanity to bring characters to life on screen.

Q & A

What does the actor find exciting about taking on challenging roles?

The actor finds the feeling of walking on a tightrope and the excitement of playing characters they're unsure if they can do to be really exciting.

How does the actor describe the process of getting into an emotional reality for a role?

The actor describes it as going through all the emotions required for the role, whether it's loving a girl or laughing outrageously, and grounding it in some sort of reality that is contrary to the actual setting.

Why does the actor feel lucky to play complex characters?

The actor feels lucky because they love the complex characters for their flaws, not in spite of them, and these characters feel real to them.

What is the actor's approach to understanding a character's motivations?

The actor believes it's important to understand where the character is coming from and what their motivations are, such as jealousy or insecurity, and then to explore these motivations in a real way.

How does the actor prepare for a role, regardless of the film's budget?

The actor's preparation involves doing a lot of homework, being well-equipped, and coming onto the set with ideas and the freedom to explore any avenue on the day.

Why does the actor believe it's helpful to incorporate life experiences into their work?

The actor believes it's helpful because it adds a layer of authenticity and relevance to their performance, as long as it makes sense within the context of the character and the story.

What inspired the actor to pursue a career in acting?

The actor was inspired by watching classic films and great performers from the past, which motivated them to achieve something as good as those heroes.

How does the actor view the process of creating a character?

The actor views it as creating a real, breathing, full, rich, multifaceted, and complex person, which requires caring about the character and treating them as if they were real.

What does the actor find cathartic about portraying emotional characters on screen?

The actor finds it cathartic to express emotions that are not typically shown in real life, such as intense anger or deep sadness.

How does the actor approach the difference between making action movies and watching them?

The actor finds making action movies more fun because of the involvement in learning and doing incredible stunts, which they could never do in real life.

What does the actor mean by calling acting '3D anthropology'?

The actor means that acting involves exploring and expressing the collective emotions of human beings across time, bringing these findings to life in the form of a motion picture.

What are the two main things the actor looks for when reading a script?

The actor looks for whether the character could exist outside of the script and if they can bring something unique to the role that would be entertaining to perform.

How does the actor feel about the control they have over a project once it starts?

The actor feels that they have the least amount of control once a project starts, as the final outcome may be different after the director and editor work on it for months.

Why does the actor believe working in theater is beneficial for their craft?

The actor believes working in theater exercises their acting muscles, helping them to be quick and direct in finding out what characters are like.

How does the actor's love for travel and storytelling influence their work?

The actor's love for travel and storytelling allows them to understand and learn about different aspects of life and people, giving them a broader perspective that enriches their performances.