Great insight from a great actor, Robert De Niro. "Good directors can bring certain things out of you, with their intensity or gentleness or sensitivity or understanding. They can make an actor feel he can do no wrong." "I’ll work with a director if I think I’m going to get into a comfortable situation, and if it’s someone I respect and who respects me, even if they’re not so well known. Movies are hard to make, and you have to work toward a common ethic and do your best." For more, check out http://bit.ly/14lU6LW
Acting : Robert De Niro on Acting by Edwin Adrian Nieves
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Nice find Edwin. How are things?
Thanks, Thomas. I'm excited for the summer since I have a couple of films cooking, plus other video treats to share. How are things going with you?
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I videotaped DeNiro at a school I went to years ago. He told me he didn't want to trip walking up the stairs to the stage. He tripped walking up the stairs. Was it an act?
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@MaxKeanu That's awesome! I got to see him in my hometown when he was filming. He did not trip that time.
Well said.
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As a director myself, I totally agree with the quotes above. As an actor, I've worked with some directors that just don't get this. I've seen directors belittle actors when they should put them on a pedestal.
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I agree with you, Mark. Some directors assume that an actor can change into a role at command. It's important to keep in mind that the actor has a difficult task to accomplish, to embody a persona in a believable/truthful/honest way. So to not treat your actors with that understanding De Niro mentions is to be counter productive. To me, the image is essential, and the actor plays the most important part in that image. It's like what Orson Welles says, "The most important thing in a movie is the actor, and everything which is in front of the camera."
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Great Robert!
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So important these insights.
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I had read this early, worthy post 2 read again!
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"It’s important not to indicate. People don’t try to show their feelings, they try to hide them." Very helpful advice! I am studying with Straeon (formerly Carter Thor East) and the focus of the workshops is storytelling through a very intuitive, natural approach.
I'm intrigued, Lori. Is there a place on the net where I can read and learn more about the approach?
Straeon's Stage 32 profile is located at http://www.stage32.com/profile/71822/straeon-acting-studios-straeon-film... and their facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/carterthorstudioseast They have workshops/classes in NYC, Boston and Canada. Are you located in NYC or Boston? I can get you a direct contact in Boston where I study.
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Hi Edwin, I just looked at your profile and realized you are in NYC. You can contact the local city manager at Straeon in NYC at newyork@thoreast.com. Let me know how it goes...
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Thank you very much, Lori! Greatly appreciate your quick response and help.