#jeffseymour

[the-expanse-fashion]

Korshunov, The Expanse, Season 2, Episode 9

[theactingsolution-blog]

[theactingsolution-blog]

Does the actor actually become the character?

Gosh, I hope not.

The last thing we need on a set is an actor who actually thinks he’s Blackbeard the pirate. Wouldn’t it stand to reason the actor would look out at the camera crew and wonder what the blarney they’re doing on his ship? Wouldn’t he be completely confused by the camera crew? Blackbeard doesn’t know what a 35 mm camera is -- he might think it’s a cannon. 

The director is going to need the pirate to hit a mark. Is the pirate going to be comfortable hitting a mark with his peg leg? How’s he going to feel when he discovers that he in fact doesn’t have a peg leg? What’s he going to do when he realizes he has his leg tied up behind him? Isn’t he going to want to straighten his leg out, and get some circulation back into his calf again? Of course he is.

The technical requirements in film can sometimes be a handful to deal with.  Actors will not only have to be aware of hitting a mark, but maybe multiple marks during the course of a long take. They may also have to worry about putting a shadow on their co-star’s face when they go in for a hug, or not rustling their jacket because they’re wearing a body microphone.  Actors must remain lucid as technicians, as well as convincing as their character. There is no need to wrestle with this concept. It’s a fact. It’s how it has to be.