Crash - Acting

The requirements of a successful film actor vary from that of a successful stage actor. The basic distinction separating the two is the medium of time. The stage production occurs in real time In front of the audience, while the film product is a collection of clips subject to change at anytime according to the director’s vision. The ability of the actor to mold the role of the character being played is more prevalent on stage as opposed to film where the director harnesses control.

Performing on stage presents a specific set of requirements. The ability of the actor to be seen and heard clearly is paramount. Flexibility and training of the actor’s voice will contribute to the believability and impact of a performance. Unlike film the success of a production relies greatly on the actor’s performance on stage rather than the directors’ presentation. The actors’ responsibility begins even before a word is spoken as physical requirements such as size and grace cannot be concealed by the camera.

The film actor is subject to revealing close ups which make it difficult to conceal age, which is one benefit that a stage actor does possess. The camera can conceal many physical attributes however; such as height, weight, and awkward body language. The overall presence of a stage actor carries a greater importance as the actor is generally seen from head to toe on stage. The facial expressions of required in film do carry as much importance as the physical characteristics of a stage actor however.

The film Crash (U.S.A., 2005) exemplifies the importance of realistic actions rather than the theatrical mannerisms of a stage performance. In this film the characters are representative of everyday people dealing with some of the worst possible experiences. The importance of the actors facial expressions and realistic reaction to these occurrences is vital to the film’s success. In a scene where a black woman is rescued by a racist city police officer who had previously sexually assaulted her, the expression of each characters face following the conclusion of the ordeal said more than words could convey. This sort of interaction with the audience requires a special skill not as precisely honed on stage.

The actors of each performance medium enjoy benefits and frustrations equally. The stage actor may contribute more precisely to the representation of his or her character, but must sacrifice the nuances of realism for the sake of projecting to the audience. The film actor must sacrifice a great deal of creativity to the director’s vision and editing, but can represent a character more naturally and accurately. The actors in the film Crash were expected to perform in that manner. The fundamental requirements of theatrical and film acting clearly dispel assumptions that actors of each could somehow be interchangeable.