Acting JUST WHAT IS IT!!!

Question

Every one can act and pretend to be some one, BUT WHAT IS IT that makes actor award winners.

What qualities do they have that make them not just actors but gods on film.

For instance The Joker played by Heath Ledger tell me what is it as an actor (qualities) that make him better for the part than any one else!?

Answer 1

it's when they can actually live the part. they can separate themselves from their body completely and become a whole new person...they become that character they are to play the role of. None of their normal expressions, tone, actions show and they can suppress it all b/c they are no longer themselves but someone totally different.

Answer 2

I think it's part charisma, but mainly the ability to really PROJECT your feelings. Body language and gestures are larger than life as well. That's why it's considered an art form. It's partly something you're born with, which is the natural charisma, plus a lot of hard work perfecting a set of skills.

Answer 3

Acting is, an art, like playing a musical instrument, writing a book, or even painting the Mona Lisa.  ALL arts require practice and training in one way or another (books, teachers, etc.).

You are right in your statement that EVERYONE can ''act''. But what separates those who can ''act'' and those who can BECOME a character is lots of hard work.

In order to become an ''acting god'' you need to literally become the character you are to play. This is known to many as method acting. It includes a various number of exercises ranging from character motivation to objects and obstacles.

If you are wanting to become a god on film, I'd sugest that you find yourself a couple of good books on acting for film, and a good teacher. =]  

Answer 4

Acting is being. The greatest actors of all time are not known acting (pretending) well, but for actually becoming the character. They are the character and share all the ups, downs, and memories with them to make their role believable.

Answer 5

Ledger wasn't necessarily better, he was more popular than other actors, which is what ultimately led to his being cast.  His subsequent suicide was an unexpected coup for the film.

Answer 6

some of it is just plain luck. Some with everrything else in life is just plain politics. I'm 60 now with the people I know if could start all over again I'd like to give it a chance just see what happens I think I could make it.I believe now it comes down to your first words every one can act. I believe malon brando said the same thing.

Answer 7

ACTORS ARE JUST CLOWNS. Pay no never minds to them.

Answer 8

Honestly, if anyone knew they would make a fortune squared.

A couple of minutes ago I looked up the casting director Michelle Guish on google, because 'Bridget Jones' Diary' had just started to run on TV and Ms. Guish was the casting director.

She cast me in the most suitable part (a character rather than 'bit' role)  I have ever played on film - in which I was very happy and pretty good, and has never cast me again.

That is the way it goes.

I watched "The African Queen' again a couple of weeks ago - I find it impossible to imagine anyone other than Bogart in that role.

I was lucky enough to see Paul Scofield and John Gielgud on stage in parts that required them to dominate the stage alone. They did it by doing hardly anything. (It's the 'hardly' bit that is difficult.)

By the way - I sneak this anecdote in anywhere I can - at a post screening party for 'Chinatown', Faye Dunnaway fell into cocktail conversation with Barbara Stanwyk (star of many 'noir' films including possibly the greatest - 'Double Indemnity').

Miss Stanwyk:

                          You were good. You were very good. In fact ... well ..

Miss Dunnaway:

                          Yes ...

Miss Stanwyk:  

                           I can only think of one actress who would have       been better. They used to call her Barbara Stanwyk.

Answer 9

its being able to be someone else, mabye even have to go completly against your beliefs, and be someone completly new

not EVERYONE can act, somepeople cant slip into someone elses shoes, if you can let everything you believe, everyhting you are, go, then you can be a perfect actor.

its alot harder to explain then it seems....

Answer 10

It is a talent that needs experience and constant training.  

Answer 11

Acting is NOT just pretending to be someone that you are not.  It is the skill of bringing a believable, and interesting performance to a prewritten text.  

Just the process of making another persons words, sound believable coming out of your mouth is incredibly difficult, then to add in the element of depth and character beyond the the text that makes your character interesting is where the true genius comes in.

Take Heath Ledger in Batman.  He played a character that is over the top, manic and crazy.  The tough part, was grounding that character so he would seem like a believable human being.  

There might be other actors that could have played the part as well, but a great performance comes when it would be hard to find anyone to do a BETTER job at it.  The actor gets the most out of the role that he possibly could.