"I'm not the kind of actress that goes home with the character. I mean, you're thinking about the work or the next day's scenes, but not staying in character. But as a film goes on, you become more and more fragile, emotionally. And physically too, actually"
About this Quote
In the priced quote text, Natasha Richardson offers insight into her method to acting and the mental and physical needs it places on an actor. Richardson starts by distancing herself from what is often described as "technique acting", where entertainers immerse themselves so deeply into their functions that they maintain their character's qualities even off-camera or outside the performance space. She mentions quite plainly that she is not the sort of actress who stays in character once the electronic camera stops rolling; instead, she lays out a more compartmentalized technique where borders remain in between her individuality and the functions she plays.
Nevertheless, Richardson acknowledges that while she doesn't take her characters home, the process of acting effects her mentally and physically gradually. When she says, "you're considering the work or the next day's scenes", it recommends a mental engagement that can preoccupy an actor's mind even when not in front of the camera. This type of relentless focus can slowly wear down an individual's emotional defenses, causing the fragility she speaks about.
Using the word "fragile" highlights the vulnerability actors may experience during the course of a movie task. As they continually access extreme emotions to deliver a convincing efficiency, maintaining this increased emotion can end up being tiring. This can especially hold true in roles that require a wide psychological range or include dark, tough themes. Richardson relates fragility to both psychological and physical states, suggesting that the immersive experience of filmmaking effects the body also. This could be due to long work hours, the physical needs of specific scenes, or just the tension of staying consistently engaged and present.
In essence, Richardson's reflection supplies an honest look into the emotional toll acting can take, stressing a balance between devotion to one's craft and keeping individual well-being-- an obstacle that numerous in the acting profession might resonate with.
More details
About the Author