An interesting thing that actors will do in order to recreate emotional responses is to recall specifics in their personal memory that summon the required emotion. I feel this is as false as a poorly executed stage punch. We are attempting to suspend the disbelief of our audience- why would we move so far away from the circumstances of the play in order to execute something as self-serving as sense memory of one's own experiences? I believe the actor should always endeavor to live within the circumstances as the play as thoroughly as possible. The way "in" to the role might be served initally by recalling events of abuse or passionate love, but ultimately the character's circumstances need to be served, not the actor's. There is an air of selfishness that I cannot seem to ignore when I see a performer dredging their heart on stage, slopping down muck before the audience's feet that does not honor the circumstances of the play. It makes for a more truthful recreation to be fighting for the problems of the character, versus regurgitating things that should be addressed in the actor's personal life with a therapist.
We must be giving.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Night Time Musings
So another Superbowl has gone by, and the New Orleans Saints now have their first ever franchise victory. It was a fun game to watch- knocked back a couple of margaritas, but sat at my table all alone.. It kind of got to me on some deeper level.
I don't really make friends that easy- really good ones anyway. I meet a whole bunch of people, but tend to judge them too quickly with a surgical analysis, usually resulting in me thinking they are a waste of time. Now, admittedly, I know that every single person out there has something to bring to the table of life. My shortsightedness, or rather my over developed forethought/paranoia(?), seems to rob them of any chance of an interaction with me... Or my chance of interacting with them.
But what is it that I am gunning for? If they are wastes of time, who are the ones I consider valuable? I find that people who do not address major problems in their lives rub me the wrong way. I adhere to the adage: "of the first flaw you see in others, this is usually the one you yourself possess." I have been turning it over in my head what this problem of mine might be. I recall at one point in my life, while I was still in sales, I was very cordial and polite with everyone I met. Not just to support my customer base, but because my level of human interaction was so high that I was in the "groove," so-to-speak. I liked talking to people, and for the most part, people liked talking to me. I find in recent times a sort of dread that overtakes me- it happens as I size up how a new person breathes and moves, and after the first word out of their mouth I can tell if my assertions about them were correct. The scary thing is I am usually right.
I know that living life in the binary is silly; that trying to encapsulate someone into one category or boxed definition just isn't enough so compass the richness of one human soul. However, when anticipating a persons action or word through the means of close analysis, it is hard to ignore the patterns of human behavior that shed light to a situation, very often making it advantageous for me. I have been consciously trying to keep my innate skills at bay, not employing them.. And I fear they grow rusty..
A woman smiled at me- I met her gaze, then quickly avoided eye contact. Why? Why run away? Why always so ready to flee? I do love people. I don't very much like to be alone. Why then do I make such a strong effort to avoid? Perhaps it is some character weakness/facet that I have yet to articulate in myself.
I don't really make friends that easy- really good ones anyway. I meet a whole bunch of people, but tend to judge them too quickly with a surgical analysis, usually resulting in me thinking they are a waste of time. Now, admittedly, I know that every single person out there has something to bring to the table of life. My shortsightedness, or rather my over developed forethought/paranoia(?), seems to rob them of any chance of an interaction with me... Or my chance of interacting with them.
But what is it that I am gunning for? If they are wastes of time, who are the ones I consider valuable? I find that people who do not address major problems in their lives rub me the wrong way. I adhere to the adage: "of the first flaw you see in others, this is usually the one you yourself possess." I have been turning it over in my head what this problem of mine might be. I recall at one point in my life, while I was still in sales, I was very cordial and polite with everyone I met. Not just to support my customer base, but because my level of human interaction was so high that I was in the "groove," so-to-speak. I liked talking to people, and for the most part, people liked talking to me. I find in recent times a sort of dread that overtakes me- it happens as I size up how a new person breathes and moves, and after the first word out of their mouth I can tell if my assertions about them were correct. The scary thing is I am usually right.
I know that living life in the binary is silly; that trying to encapsulate someone into one category or boxed definition just isn't enough so compass the richness of one human soul. However, when anticipating a persons action or word through the means of close analysis, it is hard to ignore the patterns of human behavior that shed light to a situation, very often making it advantageous for me. I have been consciously trying to keep my innate skills at bay, not employing them.. And I fear they grow rusty..
A woman smiled at me- I met her gaze, then quickly avoided eye contact. Why? Why run away? Why always so ready to flee? I do love people. I don't very much like to be alone. Why then do I make such a strong effort to avoid? Perhaps it is some character weakness/facet that I have yet to articulate in myself.
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