Acting and "On the Waterfront" Response Paper
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IntrotoActing.pptxIntro to acting
“Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”
--Sanford Meisner (one of the first group members, one of the founders of the actor’s studio, along with elia kazan)
ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
Elia Kazan (Director), Sam Spiegel (Producer), Bud Schulberg (Screenwriter), Leonard Bernstein (Composer)
Nominated for 12 Academy Awards, won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Supporting Actress (Eva Marie Saint), Best Screenplay
8th on AFI’s list of 100 best films in 100 years (1997)
19th on AFI’s list of 100 best films in 100 years (2007)
2 nd on Premier Magazine’s list of the 100 greatest film performances of all time
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Cultural, economic and political conditions
Kazan named names to HUAC in 1952.
Originally, Kazan collaborated with Arthur Miller. Producer Harry Cohn wanted union officials changed to Communists. Miller refused, Schulberg re-wrote, set up with Sam Spiegel.
Based on whistle-blowing real life longshoreman, “waterfront priest,” and mob bosses.
Originally cast Sinatra. Malden screen tests Newman/Woodward. Convinced Spiegel to cast Brando. Sinatra furious, wants priest role. Malden already cast.
Actors
Prepare for the role with research or changes to body
Say the lines and do the actions written in the script
Make choices based on what the characters are trying to get (objectives or motivations)
Make adjustments to the tactics (or beats) to achieve their wants
Feel or give illusion of emotion of the character
Sometimes improvise dialogue
What is Good acting?
Does it seem like acting?
Is it truthful?
Is it believable?
Is it surprising?
Does it move you?
Do you want to watch?
Is it different from the actor IRL?
Is it the same as the actor IRL?
SomE QUOTES ON ACTING
“The person you are is a thousand times more interesting than the best actor you could ever hope to be.” --Constantin Stanislavski
“Emotions aren't doable. Actions are doable, and if you do them correctly, they prompt the feelings.” --Stella Adler
“The reason great actors are so compelling is that they have the courage to bring their personalities to bear on everything they do... you have the right and responsibility to bring to the stage who you are.” –Practical Handbook for the Actor
