Imagination

A smart bit on a small group of actors who not only make a living Acting, but completely understands what the word means.

 PART ONE

The English Dictionary defines Imagination as the (Ability to visualize)-the ability to form images and ideas in the mind, especially of things never seen or experienced directly. 

Is it not the job of the screen writer to take the above definition in all its glory and place it in a well thought out narrative? The never ending story that has us repeating its clever content line by line, so entangled we have become with the theory or foundation one cannot help but connect to its physical existence.

Searching not only our memoires for clues to the past, but knowing that we must have once resided with these characters that somehow they have always been a part of our lives.

 Just then our Imagination becomes tangible, it is capable of being given a physical existence, the story is given life, a hand we can hold as we move through the traffic, the touch of another’s flesh warm and secure, no longer is it just a voice in a darkened movie theater.

The written word moves through us like a bolt of lightning, we are struck, singed from the heat, its audio version has the power to transport ones essential nature far beyond the reaches of one’s own reality, the daily life takes on a new realm of pleasure, such scenarios may be formulated carefully and in detail to communicate the mind’s eye of the writer.

 

PART TWO

Is it not the job of the actor to perform the written script with such clarity and intensity, that we may carry within us every last word spoken? A casual conversation not given by an actor on a fifty foot screen, cold and distant, but simply between two trusted friends, no longer a script to be practiced and played on a stage in front of an adoring audience, each emotion the actor presents is a transformation of their being, melting away layers of the character until we can see into the center of the artistic performances.

Paid for their efforts, is their job only to entertain us through film, stage and radio? One may think not with all the free performances given in open air theaters of the public streets. True acting is indeed rare.

To take the same human, time after time, simply changing the character’s name and profession without true transformation of said performer is a darling comedy at best and serves its purpose, two hours lost with a bag of buttery popcorn.

Hard earned currency is lost, when an actor is drawn into the business by the success of family member’s skills, not always inherited are the talents, the true natural ability. To be present in the moment, to strip away one’s own mannerisms and discover a new dimension to one’s own self by becoming unrecognizable in practical applications, such as speech and movement is an art in its self.

Lost are the terms Actor and Actress, grouped into a bundle they become equals in action and praise, does a sitcom television star with their multi-million dollar contracts and legions of Thursday night’s fans truly belong among the ranks of well groomed thespians?

Trained in the lost art of acting the theater player’s occupation is to live the performance, making no difference in the story line they emerge not as themselves dressed up in costume, but complete in story, words and movement. To become indifferent to the rows of seats eagerly waiting entertainment, they must unite qualities within the company of players to perform as one.   

 Live, night after night, “take two” does not convene itself for the comfort of the patronage, we are brilliantly lost in the actor’s narrative, factual or fictional we care not, only the production, players and the plot of the story we are here to witness.

PART THREE

There are many well trained actors who are able to move seamlessly between the actor’s stage and the silver screen.  Only a handful has been given the recognition they deserve, not all are Hollywood legends living in the compound accessible only through iron gates. Some of the best actors have yet to be raised through the ranks of popular American culture; steadfast in their own countries, we are missing out on their pure talents along with cultivate a dying art. (Acting)

Here is my top 5 list along with a handful of some of the most amazing works ever to be produced.

5. Kevin Spacey Fowler: Born July 26, 1959- South Orange, New Jersey

Heartburn (1986) Mr. Spacey first motion picture

Stage work: The Iceman Cometh (1998)

Almeida theatre in London

(London Critics Circle theatre award-Drama)

My favorite performance:

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

(Society of Texas critics awards for best Actor)

Personal Quote: “The movies are not my first priority-the theater is.”

 

 

4. Hilary Ann Swank: Born July 30, 1974- Bellingham, Washington

 

 

3rd youngest women in history to win two Academy Awards for best performance by an actress:

 Boys Don’t Cry-(1999)

Million Dollar baby (2004)

My favorite performance:

(Holly Kennedy)-P.S. I love you (2007)

(Irish film and Television Audience award for best International Actress)

 Amelia (2009)

Hollywood Film Festival Best Actress.

Personal Quote: You can change your fate. You can sit back, or you can go after your life and all that you want it to be.

 

 

3. Gary Leonard Oldman: Born March 28, 1958-London England

 Known for his ability to change his appearance and voice making each character played superbly unique, along with never being nominated for an Academy Award, despite a number of critically acclaimed roles.

Mr. Oldman has many great works.  Here are a few.

Sid and Nancy-1986

JFK-1991

Dracula-1992

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-2004

Harry Potter- and the Order of the Phoenix-2007

My favorite performance:

Air force One-1997

Personal Quote: “I don’t think Hollywood knows what to do with me. I would imagine that when it comes to romantic comedies, my name would be pretty low down on the list.”

 

 

2. Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch: Born July 19, 1976-London England

Mr. Cumberbatch’s talents have been presented in many forms, radio, stage, Television and Movies. Mr. Cumberbatch is a gifted performer with the abilities to make the audience laugh or cry at all the proper moments. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Drama, and these are a few of his best works.

Amazing Grace (2006)

Nominated: for a London Film Critics award- for British Breakthrough.

Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007)

Nominated: Satellite Award- Best actor in a Miniseries or Television Film

Radio: Cabin Pressure-Capt. Martin Crieff, for the BBC (2008- Present.)

Stage:  Mr. Cumberbatch has played at each of these Theatres

Almeida, Royal Court Theatre, the National Theatre and the Open air Theatre Regent’s park.  A few plays.

Love’s Labour’s Lost (2001)

After the Dance (2010)

Frankenstein (2011)

My favorite Characters:

Stephen Hawking, in Hawking (2004)

Golden Nymph for Television film best performance by an actor

Best Television Award BAFTA-nominated

Sherlock: Sherlock Holmes (2010)

 Crime Thriller Award Best Actor (Won)

Broadcasting Press Guild Award Best Actor (Won)

Personal Quote: “Live a life less ordinary.”

 

 

1. Katharine Houghton Hepburn: born May 12, 1907.  Hartford Connecticut (First Lady of Cinema)

She was one of the few great stars in Hollywood who made no attempt to sugar coat her true personality for anyone. Ms. Hepburn reigns as the only 4-time Oscar recipient for acting.

Movies: Morning Glory (1933) 1^st Academy award

Guess who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) tenth Oscar nomination and her second win

The Lion in winter (1968) her third Oscar win

On Golden Pond (1981) twelfth Oscar nomination and fourth win

Broadway: Art and Mrs. Bottle (1931)

The Lake (1934)

The Philadelphia Story (1938)

Nomination for two Tonys:

CoCo Chanel- Musical

The West Side Waltz-Play

Television:

The Glass Menagerie (1973)

Love Among the Ruins (1975)

One Christmas (1994)

Best movie ever: Bringing up Baby (1938)

Personal Quote: “Acting is a nice childish profession-pretending you’re someone else and at the same time selling yourself.”

Ms. Hepburn pass at age 96 in her home in old Saybrook Connecticut.

 

The above writing is of personal opinion and is not meant to offend or do harm to anyone mentioned above.

Sources:

IMDb-(The Internet Movie Database) and Wikipedia:

 for information on Biographies, Movies and Quotes for Ms. Hepburn, Mr. Cumberbatch, Ms. Swank, Mr. Spacey and Mr. Oldman.

Quote for Mr. Cumberbatch came from-Benedictcumberbatch/online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

These are brilliant glimpses into the stage and screen... I've always loved live theater, watching and acting.. and been writing screenplays for years. Excellent write here!

[L]

interesting piece