Which shows might you watch for the acting? I have comments, below this listing…
The TV shows premiering tonight:
7:00 PM ABC Extreme Makeover Home Edition
8:00 PM CBS The Amazing Race
Fox The Simpsons
8:30 Fox King Of The Hill
9:00 ABC Desperate Housewives
CBS Cold Case
Fox Family Guy
ST Dexter
9:30 Fox American Dad
10:00 ABC Brothers And Sisters
CBS The Unit
ST Californication
The Relevancy to Acting
Californication
Californication is a must. It’s theatre, on TV.
Not only is the acting (David Duchovny) seamless, effortless, and relaxed-as-you-can-get; but the scripts are original and it’s great with as far as acting “relationships” (fa-real relating, modern). It does jack up the uchh-Hollywood-sleaze-in-the-business..so if that already makes you creeped out, then don’t watch it…the show is so effectively done, the fear of being “Hollywood-slimed” could keep you from going after your career here!
Don’t worry…
Some people get H-slimed, others don’t. (… If you keep your integrity, and stick with my site + blog…you can learn some good boundaries to stay out of that ‘world’ here…) Generally, I find, some people are naive, and some people simply like sleaze and slime. They venture in, not just into Hollywood, but into the slime in Hollywood; they choose to walk right in. Do they unknowingly get sucked in?
Some who get sucked in
Some do know it, as it happens. Yet, it still happens, because they let it. There’s conflict and discovery… and that’s what this show is about.
Great drama often involves situations where the character is sinking into some lower state, and suddenly they find themselves immersed in an environment (external or internal) , that is different to what they know. Than what they’re familiar with.
So how do you act that?
Acting is active.
The most exciting roles, dramatically, are where the character is transitioning. In the midst of it. The discovery, where the character recognizes that he is not the moral or ethical person that he once was. How he sees himself, the level that he holds himself. The solidity, core of how he defines his identity, is transitioning. He discovers as when we do, the audience. We all discover it together; and then; we, as the audience, watch him struggle to try to get “himself” back.
In this show, he almost can’t help himself; and there is an ongoing inner struggle there, and a human weakness and lack of control.
I do love Californication, and don’t love to admit it… It really does a great job of portraying some (existing somewhere) ooh-yuk,slee-e-ezy perspective of H’wood. It’s a got a good lens on modern relationships, as well.
I give it a vote of very “real”. Even though it isn’t a pretty “real”, not easy to take. It’s art, like a David Raab play is: it’s “too much”, and that “too much” is part of what makes it art.
Can’t stand to watch it; and have to watch it…The tension is this: Is he going to pull himself up a little, or stay down; with his next step?
(I hate to use the word “character”, I just can’t think of a better way, right now. It isn’t apt, not precise. It distorts, describing acting. As soon as I hear “character”–that makes it “once-removed”… it takes the connection out. I do use “me” or “you” when speaking about acting; but when writing, that doesn’t “read” precisely, either–it doesn’t define…When I write or say “the character“; immediately, it seems like detached acting, like bad acting, phony….)
Sociopaths, Psychopaths, Auditions
Dexter
Dexter is popular, I know. From an acting standpoint, I think it’s good for research. Here’s a guy who actually is a sociopath. (Sociopath and psychopath have the same definition; the “S” one is more polite, nicer-sounding! …Just some psychology F.Y.I.!)
Actors often play those with mental disorders. Again, it makes great drama. Meaty roles to play, too.
Dexter’s duality is that he works for the police, and is murdering people; two extreme sides within the same person.
Personally, I find the premise to be too “gimmick-y”. However, it’s interesting to observe the acting choices, while watching the story; any sociopathic personality would be interesting to play, even without the “pushed” circumstances. And they are unique.
Basically, sociopaths feel no conscience pulling at them. They get their “thrills” in very different ways than most other people.
Statistics estimate that there is one sociopath for every 25 people.
Many don’t murder people, or even do other extreme, physically violent things. The pathology isn’t easy to detect, even by psychiatrists. But, they do have differences, and do act differently.
This kind of depth makes a role interesting to play, because the symptoms are not obvious; they are under the surface, difficult to detect and define. Characteristically, sociopaths are quite engaging, socially. These complexities can also make a role more difficult to play.
I always think it is a good idea, while watching performance, to keep one eye on how someone plays a role. What choices did they make? Especially, when they’ve make a success of it.
I also think it is good to give yourself exercises, while watching. You may do so, automatically; get in the habit, if not: of thinking how you might portray this specific sociopath, yourself…
I’m not suggesting you play these parts in your life.
In Dexter, his pathology is central to the theme.
When shows and roles become successful, that type of character becomes more prevalent in the “Breakdowns”. There’s a good chance you’ll audition for a role like this, in the future, or at least do a scene in a class…
Best,
;Dana
- Season 2 returns (CW) 
