The actor is the prism through which society can re-imagine itself. The role of representation and storytelling is a very heavy responsibility. The actor must be aware and actively interested in the story and depiction and be willing to tell everyone’s story.
It is impossible for me to separate my politics from my acting. I simply will never do it and I find morally reprehensible that anyone ever would. I don’t care how ‘annoying’ that makes me, I don’t care that Fox News will call me a left wing lunatic, and that I potentially will be alienating part of my audience. Frankly, I don’t care because if they feel alienated by the stories I plan to tell, then they deserve it. Actors have an equal right to voice their opinions as every other tax paying citizen in the country. As an actor, I do not view my craft as a form of escapism. I spit on the notion that my only contribution to our society is to ‘entertain’ or be just an object for the male gaze. Certainly, I want people to enjoy my work but I refuse to buy in to stories or images I believe to be wretched or inaccurate depictions. I want my audience to be steamrolled with stories they need to hear and characters they need to meet.
By politics I'm inferring I’m very aware of the characters I am portraying, what they mean to a audience, and that my first goal is social change. If actors are not striving to open up public conversation in topics through story that may make some uncomfortable…Then what is the point of being an actor? Without social progressive and giving voices to people that have none, and being a vessel for storytelling, then actors are diminished to little aesthetic play things for everyone else in the theatre/film community. I am no one’s play thing.
Writers, directors, visual artists, all have the power and I would stress the LUXURY to be able to forget about all issues and just focus on THEIR story. Not actors. We represent the people and it is our duty to pose difficult questions. A writer may create a question but it is the ACTOR that brings it to life and makes the audience want to listen to the words in the first place. When an audience sits in a theatre, cinema or stage, they only stay because they find the acting compelling. Everyone is drawn to the simple communication and active conflict between actors. They don’t stay in their seat thinking about the magic of lighting, sound, or the writing.
Actors are by far the biggest drawn to a film. With that power an actor must make responsible choices.
I’m not interested in empty blockbusters with even emptier eyed female accessories. For too long the constrictive patriarchal nature of our society has been seeping into cinema and furthering the negative and entirely one viewed perception of what it means to be female. The female actor is currently the most under appreciated and socially constructed element in entertainment.
I am interested in the messy areas of human life. I am drawn to female characters that are complex, strong, but ultimately human and entirely woman.
Your artist’s statement really compels me to look more deeply into different artistic genres, especially acting. Perhaps because I’ve grown up in LA and Hollywood, it seems rare that anyone would aspire to be an actor for any reason other than “to become famous”. While I’m sure there are thousands of actors who would prove me wrong, the majority of people I’ve met who dare come to Hollywood and take their chances are just looking for their big break, and the chance to become one of the paparazzi’s most wanted. It’s interesting for me to see acting in a different light.
ReplyDeleteI find it rare that an actor conveys anything other than what the director tells them to convey, but perhaps it’s because I’m not looking hard enough. Not knowing anything about acting itself, I just assume that, while an actor can become one with the part and add things to a character that a director could never dream of, the story was the director’s to tell. Your post has caused me to reevaluate many of the assumptions I’ve had about acting in general. I find your ability to insert your own views and politics into your roles extremely interesting, and I think it probably makes you a far better actor than most.
I think we are such good friends because our views on acting are very similar; it grounds us as people and as human beings. Like the comment before me says, most people are just looking to become famous. You and me, on the other hand, know that acting is so much more than being the next star in all the tabloids and gossip sites. We know that roles such have substance, should be meaty, and should present something more than entertainment or someone good to look at. I appreciate your view on actors, acting, and anything theatre related because I feel as though you get it. We are on the same page. We love acting for the art of it, and not for the glamour of it. Hey, what glamour? We are going to be starving actresses who will be broke because we love to keep on acting.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas about expressing our political opinions just like everyone else. It is so brillantly stated but so very true. I feel that actors are so afraid to say how they feel for fear of alienating their potential income from audience members. However, why would anyone that wasn't in this situation compromise their politics for someone else's sake? NEVER! AHHH! Let's go out into the world and ACT!
I think it's interesting that one of the first things you talk about, after storytelling, is politics. Personally, I don't think politics have a lot to do with either theatre or cinema, unless they are the subject matter. I find that politics get mixed in with Hollywood because actors, who know the spotlight is shining brightly on their faces, feel compelled to tell the general public what their political beliefs are. There is a distinction between these people who think I care who they voted for, and those actors who simply dedicate themselves to movements or causes quietly and because they believe in them. I think there's a fine line between using your popularity to help get recognition for a cause, and using your popularity to broadcast your own opinions on an audience who isn't interested.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the role of females in cinema today. They're there to fill the purpose of sex, innocence, love, or sex. I'm not a fan, and I want to write roles for women who are real and admirable not because they fight crime or wear skimpy clothes, but because they deal with and overcome things we don't want to think about. I'll write them, you act them, how bout it?
Alright, I must first be honest - I saw Barbara Kruger's work and instantly thought, "Ugh, here we go." I've never been a big fan of hers, perhaps because she's so on the nose - she lacks the nuance that I love so much in art...
ReplyDeleteI should also state that the average feminist drives me a little nuts. I agree that women should be portrayed in a far more well rounded light than they are today, but a lot of times, women who preach about their place in society hurt my heart a little bit. It's almost as if they spend so much time fighting the injustice that exists against them that they forget to actually exist as a HUMAN and not soley a woman.
But I digress.
Despite my inherent judgmental thoughts towards those two issues, I really enjoyed your artist statement. I agree with you, it is extremely difficult, and even unnecessary, to separate your politics from your work. You're a human being with individual thoughts that you should never have to sacrifice, and I really respect that you hold this idea so highly. Seriously, kudos.
Also, what I loved about your statement was that you spoke about both your inherent need to stick to your beliefs, as well as your thoughts on women's rights and portrayals seamlessly. I didn't feel as if I was being preached to. In fact, I feel that I can guarantee that you are not the type of feminist that I mentioned before - you live life, exist as a human, and therefore, cherish your natural womanhood... and that, I can dig.
So thank you, very much, for killing my initial, unfair expectations of the post.