This month's collection of acting-related thoughts and feelings:
"Let us endeavour so to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
Mark Twain - Writer of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Community - In Acting:
Why does community matter so much in our craft?
We can't be great actors all alone, can we?
Honestly, I have been sitting with this for a long time.
I got so stuck at some point, I asked the members of 2 important acting communities to me, firstly I got the opinions of my online Facebook community (which you can be a part of here) and also from the members of the lovely London based training Actors Coaching International.
The reflections they shared show that for actors, community is much more than just a group of people working together. It’s a source of strength, support, and shared experience. It’s where we find our "tribe," a place of mutual trust and understanding, where we can be our true selves and grow both personally and professionally. In the ever-evolving world of acting, community remains a necessity, offering actors a healthy feedback loop upon which to build our careers and our lives.
Community is at the heart of everything we do as actors.
Whether it's the cast and crew in a play or on a film set, our fellow actors in a class, or the audience we perform for, we are constantly interacting with others, sharing our most intimate and personal parts of ourselves, and creating something together for the sake of understanding the human experience.
According to the dictionary, community is:
Community (n.):
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Or
A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
There's an old proverb that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
So, let's ask ourselves and our fellow creatives:
How can we build stronger communities in our work?
How can we use our art to strengthen the communities we are part of?
The answers to these questions will guide us to richer, more authentic performances and a more meaningful career.
Stay Connected,
& Stay Playful People!
The ABC of Acting
Acting Book Club:
Alright, Alright, Alright! (had to)!
Actors, don't come to this book hoping for a solid acting technique to make you a Hollywood movie star but some really insightful mindset tips and tricks that can really help enjoy the ride in this whacky world of acting.
Again Matthew McConaughey's voice is amazing so if you are someone who learns better by listening get the audiobook.
Send me your favourite acting book recommendations.
Please email: Connect@tomsawyeractor.co.uk
What's my motivation?
This month we are going wild wild west as our scene is from “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” chosen by the brilliant Film maker and Podcaster Dom Lenoir.
Dom Lenoir is a British filmmaker known for his visually striking and emotionally driven films. He focuses on character-rich stories and has gained recognition at film festivals, establishing himself as a notable talent in independent cinema.
See Dom's IMDB profile here
Link to Dom and Giles Alderson's Podcast: https://thefilmmakerspodcast.com/
Dom says about the scene:
"This scene is a favourite of mine from one of my top films for acting and writing. Each of the actors intentions and goals are so interesting. Sam Rockwell plays a stripped back role with surprising weight throughout but Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck share the most depth on screen here.
Casey embodies so well a resentment that feels years in the making, and the laying out of a jealousy that will ultimately be Jesse James undoing - from being constantly slighted. Brad Pitt's characterisation feels really unique, from his behaviours and the way his character talks to the way he deflects away from Casey's character as well as showing his own deep disdain for him that is brought out when Casey challenges him.
The subtext is brilliant and is a brilliant example of the nuance and intensity that can be developed in scenes that feel like a direct lead to the stories conclusion, with the assassination scene being a perfect follow-up to this."
Some context on the film:
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) is a Western drama that explores the complex relationship between legendary outlaw Jesse James and his eventual betrayer, Robert Ford. The film delves into themes of hero worship, betrayal, and the elusive nature of fame, leading to James' tragic demise."
Click on the video link below and then check my short interpretation underneath:
Three acting super heavyweights here!
Individually they have turned in some mesmerising performances in many incredible films, many with Oscar nods.
This film often focuses on title character Jesse James, played by Brad Pitt. But in this scene, one could argue it’s Casey Affleck as Robert Ford who steals the show here.
I do have to say that Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford is also brilliant and somehow manages to play his part to a tee in this scene with very little actual screen time.
In the name of sheer shenanigans we will be renaming our Hollywood heroes thusly:
In the Blue corner we have Brad "Pitbull" Pitt!
And
In the red corner, Casey "Flick knife" Affleck!
Our referee in charge of proceedings will be Sam "Rocky" Rockwell.
Let's fight!!!
As with many fascinating scenes we have our main cast all in totally different states.
Rocky seems high as a kite on life.
Pitbull is calmly puffing his cigar.
Flick Knife is simmering with the rage of a thousand volcanoes.
Perfect!
We gather pretty quickly that Flick Knife has a grudge against old Pitbull, one that seems pretty intense.
He barely blinks as his gaze is firmly fixed on the man in the opposite seat.
With seemingly evil intent in his eyes the mood is cold as ice and suspiciously still.
Pitbull doesn't seem bothered by this stare at all, in fact he seems to enjoy it at times, toying with Flick Knife by changing the subject matter or plainly pretending not to hear him talk.
There's a moment here when Flick Knife decides that he is all in on this confrontation and plucks up the courage to speak up.
The micro muscle movement is fascinating as he half blinks before leaning in to address Pitbull which suggests there is a flicker of fear, but he does it anyway.
If this is an intense emotional chess match then Pitbull is well versed in the ways of the grand masters.
The subtext and games within games during this exchange are so well expressed with such effective and efficient behaviour.
In only his second second of screen time in this scene, Rocky's frozen and fearful face perfectly captures the tension in the room and also highlights what a damn fine actor and human being Sam Rockwell is.
Sam Rockwell, I love you! There, I said it!
The pressure cooker lid pops off as Flick Knife kicks back his chair and leaves the table,
1 - 0 Pitbull!
Note for all actors:
On paper this dialogue is fairly tame and one sided affair but the commitment and preparation on the part of these 3 excellent actors makes this 2 minute scene seem like a life changing encounter for all involved, which as the movie title suggests, it is.
Have a short scene you want to see analysed simply?
Click below to send link to scene:
Any acting related news or questions email me:
Thanks for your attention - stay playful people.
Tom
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