Thread: American actors vs. russian actors?

I was once told russian actors would go on stage hoping to be wounded (in a metaforical sense), can that be a difference between them and, let

I have heard a radio program on this matter. They say that Western actors are more resilient when it concerns expressing some emotions. For example it's quite easy for Western actors to cry or to laugh on a stage. There is always certain border between Western actor itself and his character. On the other hand actors in Russia tend to bind themselves with their character quite tightly and the border between the actor itself and his character is rather subtle. They gave Visots.ky as the most vivid example of the actor of this kind.

That "binding" with character you talked about is very interesting; but who is Visots.ky?, can you give me any exemples of films or theatre companies he may have appeared in?

Cactus

but who is Visots.ky?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3egEIUZhls
Высоц.кий - наше всё!!! ))))
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/view...5535&start=480

Teaching in most, if not all, Russian theatrical schools is still based on the Stanislavsky system which teaches, basically, that the actor should live, or feel the emotions on stage rather then just show, demonstrate them. (I know this an oversimplified explanation of the system, but it gives you an idea)

This approach often works very well, although I must say that I, personally, don't care if an actor really feels what he plays. What I care about is if s/he can make me belive him or her .

Я знаю русский язык ещё плохо

"eщё"
Большоe спасибо
Rtyom

BappaBa, thank you, I now know him - but he was also an actor? (that i could not understand by the videos)

By the way, translations.nm.ru, I understand Stanislawsky wanted his actors to feel something analogue to what was being presented, and the fact they were feeling something close (to the fictious scene), would make us believe there was truth in their acting.

cactus, a private message is waiting for you... for a long time

[ but who is Visоtsky
Владимир Высoцкий was the very popular underground poet and singer of his songs in the Soviet era. Hi was a very talented actor in theatre and in many popular movies. He was outstanding person and symbol of moral and cultural resistence against Soviet power. but he was not a political poet. he just wrote verses and sung them about all he thought, without being afraid. his poetry was ironical, lirical and sometimes critical bat always talented.
I think he represents the Great Russian Culture and if you want to understand it you should read his poetry. I cant imagine how somebody interprete his verses. You shoud read it in Russian and in addition you shoud know Russian life at this period.
good luck for this way!

There are good and bad actors on both sides. So it's probably better to discuss an acting school. I prefer Soviet/Russian one. The difference between Russian and Western acting school is that Soviet actors were taught to 'feel' character's feelings (thus said feelings are supposed to look more natural), and Western actors were taught to 'imitate' their feelings (presumably it gives the same result and takes less energy).

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Most of the time watching American movies I see that the actors go through the motions (standard facial expressions they were taught). Kinda "Look, my eyes bug out, it means I'm scared". Or "Now I'm lifting my eyebrows and I'm opening my mouth: I'm surprised, don't you see?"

But often these expressions are so exaggerated and so textbook-like, that they look insincere, especially with young actors. Sometimes I can't even understand whether it's the character, who's pretending/lying (according to the plot), or it's just a bad acting. I feel like screeming "I don't believe you!" (a legendary phrase, which Stanislavsky often said to the actors when their acting lacked life or sincerity in his opinion).

PS. I don't think Vysоtsky was a great actor. He had a charisma and was an extraordinary man, but he always played the same role: himself. Even playing Hamlet he was exactly the same as in any other his role, or in real life.

Originally Posted by Оля

cactus, a private message is waiting for you... for a long time

Has been waiting for you.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Originally Posted by Оля

cactus, a private message is waiting for you... for a long time

Has been waiting for you.

Это прошедшее время. Я хотела сказать - Ждёт тебя (в данный момент), и уже давно.

[quote=Оля]

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Originally Posted by "Оля":390n9iiw

cactus, a private message is waiting for you... for a long time

Has been waiting for you.

Это прошедшее время. Я хотела сказать - Ждёт тебя (в данный момент), и уже давно.[/quote:390n9iiw]Нет, не только прошедшее, оно же и настоящее (совершенный вид). Has been - Present Perfect. Письмо и ждало, и ждёт.
Is waiting можно сказать пациенту про доктора: The doctor is waiting for you. То есть, он только что освободился и поджидает нового пациента в настоящий момент.

Вот уж действительно английские времена - жестокая вещь

Оле просто не надо было добавлять for a long time.

Можно сказать:

A private message is waiting for you, it has been for a long time.