This is why James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano transcended the show itself. He was so interesting to watch. He seemed like a real person, not a character. He was compelling. He could have read the ingredients on a box of cereal and you would be transfixed. It's mysterious and magical. Bogart had the same thing. All the great ones do.
All actors utilyze the same amount of body language. However, only a few of them are in such control of their craft that their body language is used in full support of the character they are playing.
So good to hear this. The most compelling theater acting training is full mask. Neutral mask frees the body, and grants access to the wisdom of the body, This sense must help a writer write for the physical world, too.
Agreed - the hardest lesson for me to accept was that in 4th Wall Storytelling, Actors should have less to say and more to do in each Scene. Actions speak Louder than Words - and Behavior transends Language. 🎭
all of literature is just sort of a freakish interlude in a multimedia evolution. The only thing that makes literature special is that it’s the radical possibility for each, and every person who reads a literary manuscript to generate when they watch it a unique Hollywood picture in their head, in that Jungian onion, Hollywood is the king of dreaming, on the earth.
In face to face communication with real people those "scientifically proven facts" may apply. In a stage plays or movie production you are not communicating with people though, you are performing to them and the audience is just observing and suspending their disbelief. They know it's not real, they don't have to look for a deception. Camera direction on film or looking at a stage from across the room distorts that perception anyway. Body language is important obviously, but this is not transferable between a real world context between normal people and performers. Though I have no doubt that it fits very neatly into the self-image of the average actor to believe that this is true.
Thank you Robert, here is another clip from this interview where Jean-Louis explains the Alexander Technique - ruclips.net/video/n25vxw96e1c/видео.html
The script counting for 10% of what's being communicated sounds ludicrous. In a movie that's any good you have to follow what's being said first and foremost.
"that's any good" might be key here and actually a difference. Because it seems rather that anything that's ordinary and not particularly good relies primarily on the words themselves for communication. There are also rules of what counts the most in a first impression and so on...
What film or TV character exhibits the most compelling body language?
Barney Stinson
Michael Keaton in Batman 1989
Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad
Walter White
Daniel Plainview
Jim Carrey of course haha
This is why James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano transcended the show itself. He was so interesting to watch. He seemed like a real person, not a character. He was compelling. He could have read the ingredients on a box of cereal and you would be transfixed. It's mysterious and magical. Bogart had the same thing. All the great ones do.
this is a very touchy subject.
His response to “what’s been most difficult as a teacher recently” hits me where I live. Very empathic sensitive man.
All actors utilyze the same amount of body language. However, only a few of them are in such control of their craft that their body language is used in full support of the character they are playing.
Heck, 70% is scoring. 😄Music tells us how to feel.
This was very beautiful. Also very true....this made me think a lot in terms of physicality of a film. Thank you. Also about pacing and rhythm.
I suppose this follows the great rule of film, "Show, don't tell".
So good to hear this. The most compelling theater acting training is full mask. Neutral mask frees the body, and grants access to the wisdom of the body, This sense must help a writer write for the physical world, too.
Agreed - the hardest lesson for me to accept was that in 4th Wall Storytelling, Actors should have less to say and more to do in each Scene. Actions speak Louder than Words - and Behavior transends Language. 🎭
This is adequately reflected in the price point of actors versus screenwriters.
Fascinating
Explains silent films
all of literature is just sort of a freakish interlude in a multimedia evolution. The only thing that makes literature special is that it’s the radical possibility for each, and every person who reads a literary manuscript to generate when they watch it a unique Hollywood picture in their head, in that Jungian onion, Hollywood is the king of dreaming, on the earth.
Oh, please.
In face to face communication with real people those "scientifically proven facts" may apply. In a stage plays or movie production you are not communicating with people though, you are performing to them and the audience is just observing and suspending their disbelief. They know it's not real, they don't have to look for a deception. Camera direction on film or looking at a stage from across the room distorts that perception anyway. Body language is important obviously, but this is not transferable between a real world context between normal people and performers. Though I have no doubt that it fits very neatly into the self-image of the average actor to believe that this is true.
Exactly!
Studied Alexander with me. Thats the Alexander Technique. It's not clear in this short.
Thank you Robert, here is another clip from this interview where Jean-Louis explains the Alexander Technique - ruclips.net/video/n25vxw96e1c/видео.html
Those were actors in ape suits, not actual primates… I found that out today years old! ;)
The script counting for 10% of what's being communicated sounds ludicrous. In a movie that's any good you have to follow what's being said first and foremost.
"that's any good" might be key here and actually a difference. Because it seems rather that anything that's ordinary and not particularly good relies primarily on the words themselves for communication.
There are also rules of what counts the most in a first impression and so on...
90% of communication is non verbal
‘
A Therapist.
Thats exactly why Oppenheimer was so boring. Too much of the movie was talking heads.