VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:28 am Post subject: British actors in the USA

Very interesting feature on BBC Radio 4.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pgls8

Bish · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:39 pm Post subject:

Loves me some Radio 4. Thanks for that Philip... it's obviously something that interests me quite a bit Smile

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Bish a.k.a. Bish
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

I would say Stephen Frears statement is highly inaccurate.. In this day and age, there are an awful lot of theatre bred, trained actors in America, not only in LA but in Chicago, and New York. Apparently Frears is stuck in the 80's and 90's and doesn't get out of London much.

Bish · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:43 pm Post subject:

Most of the problem (related to that particular point) is that there is far less crossover in American media. Now, this is a relative statement, and the problem is far less apparent now... but most actors in the UK are completely cross-media and not pidgeon-holed by doing stage, screen, movies, panto or whatever. It's only really during the last decade or so that American "movie stars" (who may have "graduated" from TV) found that a starring role in a TV series is a good move, and not viewed by the public as a step-backwards. There are, of course, many notable exceptions, and I have made a rather sweeping statement! Frears' statement may well have been rather dated, but not without some current validity. More telling were the statements that American actors are nervous about playing the bad guy, as they fear it may taint them as an actor because of the public's inability to separate an actor from the roles they play.

I did, however, laugh out loud at the comment that a lot of American actresses can't do reaction shots because their faces won't move properly anymore Smile

_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Its not really representative of the American Actor in 2012 when you start bringing up instances of what the "stars" might do, because really, that's a small percentage of the actual working body of performers in the US. I'm an actor with a theatrical background, in theatre since the 70's and I don't think I've rarely, if ever heard of an actor (except for the big box office types) shy away from playing bad guys..

Most accomplished American actors in this day and age have been born and bred on a steady diet of Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, David Mamet, Edward Albee, Sam Shepard, Eugene O'Neill, Neil Simon and others.. Not necessarily Shakespeare, but still not too shabby.

melissa eX · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

Bish · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:57 pm Post subject:

It's mainly interviews with Brits who have found success in the states and an exploration into why that may be. There are some interesting points brought up about the pressures of the American studio machine as compared to the British model. Also, some telling comments about the failures of the British casting system. But, I would agree that this is a collection of interviews and opinions that explore these successes based on personal opinion, and not necessarily on empirical data.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:04 am Post subject:

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Philip..

Included in my list of playwrights are Mamet and Shepard, whose work goes back no later than 30 yrs or so. Also, please note that I stated "and others" intended to refer to current playwrights, too many to list.

Which further reinforces my point that folks should try to reconsider when they make sweeping generalizations in reference to British bred actors vs US bred being more sought after because of their vastly superior theatrical tradition

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:08 am Post subject:

I know, my comment was never intended to be taken seriously, your point was well made.

The most telling comment was " ...........so I spent a year out of work" to which most actors in the US and UK would respond ...WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Most Voiceoverists walk along the same thin line as actors, one side is you never get a call because "they" have never heard of you and on the other side you never get a call be because "they" have definitely heard of you.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Funny... tons of US actors go across the water to get training in the UK and then return and find that there's still way to much supply and not enough demand.. go figure.

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject:

File under O for Occupational Hazard