Acting : Thoughts on Method Acting? by James Drago

No method actors? No one who has experienced something similar?

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

What a contribution!

I would (not) work with that person! :D

I've seen method actors stay in character when the cameras aren't rolling, but that's really over the top. Fine to be method, not fine to keep other people waiting.

On a related note, here's an article I posted on the Weekend Blog regarding method acting some time ago. Digest, discuss.

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/is-method-acting-destroyi...

Who's in charge? The Producer and Director or?? Was this: a short; a feature; episodic; commercial; something else?

If he is a paid actor then he should have respected others and be punctual. If he was an incredible actor doing it as a favour with lunch and car expenses as only pay-back, then it's OK to be a bit patient...I did few no budget shorts and some people were not being very professional, but it was a relaxed set as I didn't think it was fair to ask too much when people were already doing me a favour...but if you get paid, then you are expected to be professional, in or out of your part.

It depends on the role. It's a matter of concentration! whey I was filming "Off Hollywood" I had to keep a lot to myself just so I could keep the character very near me.

It was a short JD Hartman Expensive shoot for a short.

Martina Cook he was getting paid to be there. I agree with your take.

Stephen, but didn't hold things up by doing so, right?

I have to agree with C Harris Lynn, they wasted everybody time including the crew. Nobody on a short is irreplaceable, had I been you, they would have been fired.

Overall, the consensus was that he was selfish and wasted everyone's time. I think down deep, the director felt the same way. This was the actor he wanted though. Plus, everything had been set up, all schedules had been rearranged (weekend shoot) and the money was tight. So he tolerated it.

I was actually just being silly - as in working with said actor would mean I would not be working with him - but of course that's ridiculous. He probably had a hangover or something.

An ego hangover.

He is correct in his execution but not in his professionalism. I would compare this to stock traders shorting a stock based on an earthquake in some major city. This may be legal but it's not ethical. I love method acting, I enjoy the insanity and grittiness of it but we aren't in the 1970's and 80's anymore where Method was becoming mainstream and people were doing off the wall stuff to get noticed. This is 2017, if the actor is unable to convey his character's personality within the confines of the time that's given then maybe he should rethink his career.

Thanks for adding your thoughts Kahlid Elijah Tapia Everyone has their process. Everyone. That includes the actors down to the gaffers. There should be a mutual respect.

I didnt mean to sound overly harsh.

I don't think you were harsh at all.

The point of method acting is of course to get into the characters skin. This allows the actor a unattainable path to 20/20 vision through the characters eyes. The practice has some merit as a tool but it should never be the only tool or the overly accessed tool.

When is a deep method actor unified, as that is the ultimate goal of a method actor? Are the physical ramifications debilitating to the body of the actor as opposed to the body image of the characters physiology which is genetically unique. Over exuberance for the method may not be the choice of the character.

Actors and Directors seek a perfection and hence the paths to that perfection. The most revered artist have to find a point of rest and recognize when the canvas is as best as it is going to get.

Therefore yes, the method actor is free to explore the intricacies of each character they portray but there is always only one place, just one place to apply the practice and that is in the scene. The life of the character begins and ends with the scene.

Hello Peter. Thanks for contributing to my thread. A valuable entry to say the least. Your last sentence really brings your point home.

There's a great story (no idea if it's true) about Dustin Hoffman staying up for 24 hours, smoking and drinking coffee, to film a scene in Marathon Man. He was bragging about his dedication to I guess Roy Scheider (for some reason, I thought it was Gene Hackman), and whoever it was turned to him and said, "Jesus, Dustin - you ever tried acting?" :D

I've heard this one too...Great story.

I believe, and have always been taught, that being a "generous" actor is a thing to be desired and pursue. His behavior does not strike me as generous.

That was a class act like Lawrence Olivier who, tired of Hoffman trying to be a smart a^^ with him, told him to try acting...actors have their egos like we all have I guess, but if even Olivier can understand the difference between acting and real life, then nobody is justified to mix the two :)

Sounds like a good start for short dark comedy about the film business.

Not acceptable. Period.

I'm two weeks late with my comment. I'm a method writer. ... lol

In my opinion, making a movie is hard enough. If the actor is being inconsiderate or holding up the process they aren't worth working with again. There is no reason his "process" should inhibit the crew and the film as a whole. Plenty of other actors can get the job done and be on time.

Very funny Deanna Carlyle !

I call BS. And 'being talented' shouldn't be an excuse for acting badly. Be a METHOD producer and tell him that his PAY will be cut, but it shouldn't bother the CHARACTER, because it's not his money.

As an actor (and recently first time director), all I can say is I sense ego at play. Being in character is great, professionalism is just as important. Inconveniencing the whole cast and crew and then calling it method acting is more about ego than craft.

Your point about professionalism is what had the crew steaming Monique Amado. Everyone was there on time, working for the love of the project.

There is a difference between fantasy land and reality. Unfortunately, some actors don't know how to distinguish between the two. Sure maybe his character would be late, but that personality needs to be kept in his performance.