Thespian love

[Quinn]

Just sort of out of interest... I understand a lot of people here write. And text RPGs always struck me as a conbination of writing and acting-devising. So I wondered, does anyone else here act? If so, commence actory gossip.

[Frug]

I think it's interesting that more actors dont RP. The only one I know who does is vin diesel. He supposedly loves to play D&D and is a big nerd. Which is awesome.

But no acting here.. and I know jess doesn't...

[Xyon_of_Calhoun]

No, although I have in the past. This kind of RP is similar to acting, imo.

And the Vin Diesel thing: yeah, that is fuckin awesome.

[Lylessa Uluki]

I used to act a lot. I was in my first play at the age of five-- I was one of the children in Carousel. Up through the end of university I was in community theater as well as the usual school plays, and I was in the plays the local college did when they needed younger actors.

I actually started university with a Drama major, but it didn't work out as well for me as I'd hoped, so I graduated with an International Affairs (Development) degree instead.

Over the years I've done a fair bit of tech-- I've dabbled in pretty much all of that-- and found I really enjoy stage managing. Which couldn't possibly be because I'm a control freak.

Being in grad school now I don't really have the opportunity to take part in any theater, which is unfortunate, but I'm in a Balkan folk song/dance ensemble, so I'm still getting my performing in. Plus my bellydance class, which is fun.

I hope to get back into acting again once my schedule is a little more predictable.

[Jenica Sabiny]

Fruggles is right, I don't act none. As for actual actors - perhaps playing in movies/TV shows is just the ultimate type of LARPing (getting paid to do it). I'd say that'd get MY fix in

[Pagusel]

Ohhh, LARPers . . . at the 2007 Seattle International Film Festival, there was a documentary on LARPers called Monster Camp. The saddest story was the middle-aged dad who, in addition to LARPing also played WoW endlessly. When his 8-year-old daughter complained that he didn't spend enough time with her because he was always playing WoW . . . he bought her a computer so she could play it with him. The documentary was filmed near Seattle, so I tend to keep an eye out in case I spot any of the stars on the street. Okay, so THAT was a tangent. I think it was Frug I was discussing this with--isn't it odd that the average LARPer is not so very skilled at acting?

[Frug]

I think it was Frug I was discussing this with--isn't it odd that the average LARPer is not so very skilled at acting?

Yeah we were talking about that last week. I do think it's strange. I'd probably be more willing to larp if I could act.

[Quinn]

Fruggles is right, I don't act none. As for actual actors - perhaps playing in movies/TV shows is just the ultimate type of LARPing (getting paid to do it). I'd say that'd get MY fix in

It's intersting because I'd say RPing (and LARPing, which I would do if there were any LARPs near me) is a good way for an actor to kick back because you get to cast yourself, direct yourself, come up with your own lines and just generally not get restricted in what you can do. In text RPs, you also aren't limited by your physical body - a weedy teenage girl can play a bold manly knight if she wants, and doesn't have to worry about being unconvincing or *wince* boob-binding.

I think it's maybe more that most actors don't really know much about LARPing. I heard recently that at East 15 (kick-ass London drama school), to really really get into the Stanislavski zone, the students dug trenches, get into uniform, and just basically lived breathed and slept a WW1 LARP for two weeks. Everyone was talking like it was something all innovative and new - not something geeks had been doing for ages.

Heh, maybe I shouldn't LARP - I'd probably get all method and scare my fellow geeks. Basically, in non-dramageek, the type of Stanislavski these guys were doing involves getting so deep into the thoughts of a character that you react as they would and think their thoughts. After two hours in a workshop I (my character) nearly got into a fight, one girl was crying and another had stormed out of the room in disgust. I can't imagine what these guys must have been like after two weeks. So it could be that the more pretentious actors don't deign to work with anyone who doesn't take it as seriously as they do, that's a possibility too.

[Julen]

I used to do a little acting when I was a teenager, appearing in a couple of school plays (The mother in "Cheaper By The Dozen" and a cop in "Arsenic And Old Lace"). But I never really pursued it after that.

My favorite English teacher, who also directed all the school plays, was quite a good actor. He appeared in a lot of community theater. He also had very strong feelings about the Stanislavski Method -- he thought it was a good way to end up going crazy. He told us a story about a guy he knew who completely lost it while doing that for a role, and the guy ended up chasing his wife around with a knife.

Also, Quinn, have you ever seen the movie "Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead"? It's based on a play by Tom Stoppard, and it has a lot of interesting things to say about actors -- I think you'd really like it.

[Quinn]

My favorite English teacher, who also directed all the school plays, was quite a good actor. He appeared in a lot of community theater. He also had very strong feelings about the Stanislavski Method -- he thought it was a good way to end up going crazy. He told us a story about a guy he knew who completely lost it while doing that for a role, and the guy ended up chasing his wife around with a knife.

I completely agree. And I still do it. An older actor I know maintains that, 'Acting is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.' He's a shining example of it. It's a job hazard. Luckily most of us aren't good enough to get so far into it that we go crazy.

Also, Quinn, have you ever seen the movie "Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead"? It's based on a play by Tom Stoppard, and it has a lot of interesting things to say about actors -- I think you'd really like it.

I've read the play, but never heard of anyone putting it on. Love it. I didn't know there was a movie, I should look that up. Thanks!

[Julen]

I've read the play, but never heard of anyone putting it on. Love it. I didn't know there was a movie, I should look that up. Thanks!

It's a great movie -- very loyal to the play, with the addition of a wonderful ongoing gag (which I won't spoil for you). Tim Roth and Gary Oldman play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (not necessarily in that order) and Richard Dreyfuss is fantastic as The Player. It's one of my all-time favorites.

[Frug]

It is indeed an excellent movie.

[Drake]

Well...does acting in a play put on by your eighth grade class count? Cause that's the only kind I've done. I played an ugly drag-queen trying to when a beauty pageant. Yeah....ok, let's not count that.

[Lylessa Uluki]

The mother in "Cheaper By The Dozen"...

I played her too! We have something in common!

I've read the play, but never heard of anyone putting it on.

I've never seen the movie version (though I'd like to,) but I've seen it on stage. Very enjoyable.