In class, we discussed the production that goes into telenovelas. While there were some interesting dynamics going on, there was that I was thinking about: the intimacy that happens between characters and how that influences the actors.
I haven't done any acting per say, but I would imagine getting so immersed into my character in order to deliver said character. Most of the times, when I see actors, I don't recognize them as a person. I recognize the character that they play, and how skillful they have to be in order to pull off something that is not them. For example, in my telenovela, La Mujer Perfecta, the main character has Asperger syndrome. The show was made in 2010, but how much research did the actress have to do in order to do an accurate portrayal of Asperger Syndrome? Especially at a time when mental health advocacy or awareness was rather low. Just to be able to pull that off without having much experience, is a powerful tool actors have.
This goes back to my main question I have: how do actors not get caught up in the emotions and fall in love? After all, there is so much intimacy that can happen between the characters. Earlier today, when we were watching the scene between the two lovers having their first sexual encounter, it's impressive how they must not have felt something. At least in my mind, something like that would end up confusing me. Furthermore, how does this impact the dynamics between the actors if something were to follow through? How do you manage to build and capture sexual tension, romantic tension, or just any form of tension without getting it blurred with the actual person?
I also wonder if certain actors get tired of continuously playing a similar role. I recall in an earlier lecture that certain actors continue to play the main lead, or the evil mother. Which is why I'm glad that we have moved towards de Ruptura, because I feel that there is only so much you can do with Rosas. For example, how many Cinderella stories can someone continue to act in and not get bored of it? Sure, maybe the pay is well, but I applaud Cinderella stories that have an interesting take on the genre.
On another note, it was really nice looking at the photos of the actors hanging out in groups. To be able to work on a such a huge project, with so many hours put into it, it must be nice to have a supportive group. The bonds that must come from working on a production must be strong, afterall, telenovelas can run for a really long time.
I was wondering the same about the interrelations between the actors. Specifically in the telenovela I am watching, Ingobernable, I pondered if tension in the plot between the characters can fall into real life as well. For example, when two characters despise each other in the show and are constantly arguing and not getting along, I wonder if this can carry off television and progress their inside angers towards one another.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, on your point of Cinderellas, I also believe it can be a level of "comfort" for actors and actresses. If he or she has mastered the art of the cinderella story and are great at acting it, maybe they choose to continue in this path since they are both comfortable and great at it! I definitely see how that could get redundant, but at the same time I see the comfort aspect of it.
Finally, it is great to see the actors outside of just acting and their relationships. Sometimes I forget that actors too are real people with real lives! I personally love it when I see actors friends outside of just work. Especially when they are in a relationship. One of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill, has upheld this with their actors still doing podcasts together, reunions, and more. I am sure this occurs in the telenovela world as they film more than any other factor, and the level of intimacy is so much greater!
I find it fascinating that actors can play such intense roles, that require to become a whole different person without getting personally effected by their character. When two actors play lovers, I would find it crazy that they didn't develop any feelings for each other. However, in class when we discussed the behind the scenes production aspects in telenovela's, I quickly realized that those love scenes are not romantic at all! Those scenes are constantly being rehearsed and every move is choreographed. With all the production cast looking at the actors and judging their every move, the romantic aspects of the love scenes would surely fade quickly.
ReplyDeleteWhen actors also have to play more intense characters, I would imagine that it would effect them in their personal lives as well. Heath Legder famously said that to prepare for his role as joker, he locked himself in a hotel room for a month and wrote in his diary. I have such respect for actors because of the commitment they constantly pour out into their work.