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Insult or Complement (you decide)
(click on the names to see responses)
Fri, 28 Apr 2006 18:31:02 -0600
rec.arts.tv
previous
needles...
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Is it an insult or is a complement to say of any actor or actress, that they
are only playing themselves ?
Brandy Alexandre...
David Johnston...
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Neither. The real issue is whether the self they are playing is
someone you want to see in a show.
David Johnston...
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"I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!"
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Steven L....
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But not quite as bad as when we say an actor is miscast for the role;
i.e., playing someone he really isn't suited for at all.
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Think about for a moment, be it Cinema,Stage,TV or Radio, is it really a
complement to say that no matter the medium, or the role, that the actor or
actress is really only playing themselves.
The same could be argued that no matter the genre, the actor or actress is
still playing themselves.
So is it really a complement or is it really an insult ?
The kicker is that many (star) actor's and actress's type cast themselves by
choice, just look at some the roles they play over and over again
Ken from Chicago...
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It depends on INTENTION. Are THEY *trying* to play themselves in that
position OR play someone else entirely?
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Zombie Elvis...
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If it's Bruce Campbell -- compliment.
If it's Paul Rubens -- insult.
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Russell Watson...
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It's a dual-edged sword.
On the one hand it can be construed as an insult because it implies
that the person really doesn't (possibly can't) "act" so much as are
simply able to learn lines, hit marks, look good, and keep their
composure in front of a camera.
On the other hand, to have reached a point of stardom such that parts
are written for you (or as they usually state it "for an X- type", X
being the name of the actor they would ideally cast in the role if
they can get them) has to pretty damned flattering because it means
that no matter what you do there is a certain number of people out
there who are believed to be shoo-ins to come see a film in which you
have been cast.
It could be that depending on how an actor feels about his/her self on
any given day the same one can be down in the dumps about the former
or elated about the latter.
It is also interesting how the treatments of some screenplays morph to
fit the people who are attached to the project at different times.
Stories are legion of films that were meant to be dramatic with so and
so in the lead but became comedic (to use one example) due to who
ended up with the parts due to lack of availablilty of the actor they
originally wanted, inability to come to terms on a contract, whatever,
so the actors cast can change the complexion of an entire film or
series based on what those actors are believed capable of doing.
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