Pretend To Be Someone Who...

[darkemeralds]

Who knows something about acting?

It's part of a mental exercise I'm doing: "Pretend To Be Someone Who [fill in the blank]". This week's selection: "Is A Good Actor."

I've done some performing, mostly musical, but acting--real acting, the art and craft of it--is an unknown. More or less completely opaque.

So, have you ever done it? Do you understand it? What's the most important thing about it? How would you define it for someone who has no concept of it? Any good books, articles, videos on the subject that you'd recommend?

Comments

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Yes! I get it absolutely now, and specifically because of what I'm reading in Lewis's book. I've always known that a multi-sensory description will bring the reader right into the heart of the moment, but I don't think I was conscious before of the interaction of the actors with their props, their costumes, the set, and their fellow actors. I might have touched on it, but never with conscious intent.

And in the realm of kinaesthetic sensory information, I'm pretty sure I've always preferenced texture over weight and temperature. MUCH food for thought there. Great stuff!

Velveteen Fanfics

[executrix.livejournal.com]

To switch metaphors, I think that one reason there are some very enjoyable fanfics (even if the writer doesn't have a lot of formal education or standard literary technique) is that the writer really believes in the story and has visualized it in detail. (And that's one reason why fans can read a number of superficially very similar stories and continue to enjoy them--of course, other things are at play too.)

Whereas if the writer essentially doesn't really believe in the story, it can be all blahblah blow stuff up blahblah jail cell blahblah alien sex pollen blahblah buttsecks blah blah soulbond.

Re: Velveteen Fanfics

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Ha!

You are so right--it's one of the mysteries of fanfic unraveled, right there. As some prolific author in some popular fandom said, "Where would we be if we didn't re-use the good plots? Come to that, where would the show be?"

It's not that plot doesn't matter. It's not as if originality doesn't matter. They do, but a good plot is a good plot--ask any Shakespeare--and originality lies in the details. Nihil novum sub sole and all that, but show it to me vividly, and I will experience it as new.

You are such a genius.

Re: Velveteen Fanfics

[executrix.livejournal.com]

Gosh! Thanks--but I'm a demon for quoting and must here mention the shoulders of the giants I'm standing on.

Re: Velveteen Fanfics

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Well, they're taller giants than mine, is all I'm sayin'.