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| Forums > Write a Review > Acting |
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abigail hollick
at 08:36, 17 Aug 2005
Posts: 1
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Acting
Dear Sally,
I saw YES last night and I cannot stop thinking about it; particularly the car park scene and the dinner scene between Sam Neil and Joan Allen. Many congratulations it was breathtaking, so beautiful and made me truly realise how ignorant the West is of Eastern traditions, culture, religions etc. I am an actor so I am also interested in hearing a bit about you rehearsal process. I haven't seen such truthful and honest performances in a long time. I like to think I could deliver such a performance but I think I would have to have such a close working relationship with the director. I imagined that the actors all felt very safe with you so could truly expose themselves, as the acting was not remotely 'put on'. What is your take on rehearsals and directing actors, I would love to know as I don't think many actors achieve that kind of sincerity on screen. Thank you so so much for a wonderful film. All the best, Abby x
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sally potter
at 10:36, 23 Aug 2005
Posts: 193
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Rehearsals
Rehearsals are the gold-dust of the working process. At their best they are the space where actors and director can fall over, pick themselves up, be encouraged to fall again, and in this way, just like learning to walk, learn to fly. No-one can do their best, move beyond habit and the need to impress, without a safety zone in which it is possible to take risks without judgement.
The rehearsal room (which can be a room or a walk in the park or anywhere that the director and actor overtly or covertly work together) is also the place where trust is built. In the usually pressured atmosphere of the shoot the collaboration between actor and director can blossom if there is already a foundation of trust, so one can, in effect, speak in code and take action without too much laboured explanation.
Having said all this, I have found some actors do not flourish under rehearsal conditions and are afraid that they will have ‘spent’ themselves or become too self-concious. For those individuals it is better to walk the tightrope on the day. I try to find out, by observation and trial and error, what process works best for each person. So there are in fact, no generalisations and no rules, except the rule of flexibility and alertness to the moment and to the needs of the individual.
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