The Wonders of Film
July 31st 2009 06:55
The wonderful thing about film is that no-one can actually see whether the actor is trying too hard. There is no sweat, no nervousness to sense, only the two dimensional protective coating of celluloid. This is the very reason that I know that theatre won't fade away. It's like a live storytelling circus! We will always enjoy seeing an actor inthe flesh working really hard to entertain, and when an actor makes it look really easy, that's when we have witnessed true 'magic' which can change lives. Can film do this? Absolutely not in the same electrifying way. Film is it's own special medium with a whole new realm of 'magic'. Take the new Harry Potter film, and Daniel Radcliffe's performance. Would it have been as effective without all the 'smoke, mirrors and magic tricks'? Yet his performance in Equus at the Gielgud in London was exactly an example of the hard working actor trying hard to affect an audience. Unfortunately, next to the work of Richard Griffiths who, for a man his size, makes walking look easy, far upstaged and controlled the story with a highly evolved intpretation of character that 'magically' embodied the complexity and frustration of the psychologist. Radcliffe was successful as a two dimensional Alan Strang. Yet, I felt him working terribly hard and in parts found true character essence. Alas! I have now struck upon whether this could be an age factor?
Although, the scene in Harry Potter 6 where the student is launched by the curse into the sky, screaming in a crucifix position, is unmistakenly unnerving. Would this have been as affective on stage? It would need careful direction and some fantastic flying equipment. Or would it make for an entirely different approach to create the same audience reaction or a more impactual one?
SM pontificates again and thinks about a new keyboard for the laptop in view of the now absent ink and quill.....
Although, the scene in Harry Potter 6 where the student is launched by the curse into the sky, screaming in a crucifix position, is unmistakenly unnerving. Would this have been as affective on stage? It would need careful direction and some fantastic flying equipment. Or would it make for an entirely different approach to create the same audience reaction or a more impactual one?
SM pontificates again and thinks about a new keyboard for the laptop in view of the now absent ink and quill.....
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