How safe is the acting profession? And I'm not talking about stunts or the dangers of the media. No, what I'm talking about is what can happen if they get to into a part. Is being a methodical actor dangerous?
I am starting to think it can. Well depending on the actor. I think more should be done, especially for those working on hhorror and physiological thrillers. I came to this thought watching Deadline. Its a good physiological thriller staring Brittney Murphy. I got to think about her death. I wonder if there is anyway the movie could have effected her. It was one. Of her last one, and the part would have been quite hard. Her character is REALLY messed up. It reminded me of Heath Legger and how I've heard he had been depressed after playing the joker. I know both are different, but at the same time it makes me wonder. Either way I think it could easily happen, especially if an actor is already depressed, or prone to depression. I think (and really hope they have) people available during a shoot if they need it. Every serious horror movie or the like should have a physiologist available. Even if its not needed, wouldn't it be better safe than sorry? But I don't know what they do, so maybe its already in effect. I hope so at least.
Wow, I've never really thought about that as far as adult actors go. One thing I have thought about though is the effect movies with disturbing themes can have on children that act in them. I've seen some pretty messed up films in my life that have children in them and I wonder how they deal with the subject matter. Right now the kid in "The Road" comes to mind, the stuff I saw in that movie is really depressing so I can only imagine how a child would be affected by it. Then there are things that are just really messed up like "Men Behind the Sun" that depicts unspeakable acts. It has children in it and messed up things happen to some of them. I wonder how those kids did psychologicaly after taking part in that film.
ReplyDeleteMethod acting is very dangerous. There is always a risk of a person falling to deeply into the role that it effects them deep down. It also comes with some very peculiar behavior. Max Shrek, the original Count Dracula in Nosferatu, actually spent three months in the castle where they shot, in full makeup, to get into the role before they started shooting. Heath Ledger was ALWAYS in character as the Joker, even on set. You can lose yourself in these character easily. Ever seen Tropic Thunder, with Robert Downy Jr.'s character going as far as dying his skin brown to play an African American character? A little extreme, but it was a parody.
ReplyDeleteI was once told a story by an acting coach about Lawrence Olivier, considered one of the great actors. He once worked with a method actor who wanted to know everything. What his character was like, what his motivation was, who what why where and all that. Then he spent twenty minutes trying to get into character. Finally, Olivier walked up to him, put his hand on his shoulder and said, "Look, have you ever tried just acting."
As for the movie, yeah, I'm more than certain that movies affect the actors. They can be a big deal, especially when you have to work with things like horror, romance and anything that takes a deep emotional tie. And I think you're right about needing therapist on staff. I wonder how they would react to that though...?