Just read RB's Coffee & Content blog which contains a video essay about Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, spotlighting the massive effort to create a tactile, practical world on set. It talks about how they found a disused factory and turned it into a whole world with different sets and dug a massive water tank to film the water scenes. It made me think how cool and fun that would be to film in as an actor compared to a film set where most of it is added in using CGI afterwards.
Here is the blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/coffee-content-building-worlds-breaking-in-...
It got me thinking, how does the type of film/play set affect your acting .?How does it impact the extent to which and how you use your imagination? Which would you prefer, to be on a purpose built world inside a studio or on a set with minimal props?
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Great question Alexandra Stevens I can say the set has a great affect on my acting. Coming from the stage, it is all about the set. I was told in college that when rehearsing our scene with our partners, we should use the stage as much as possible. I have to say that rehearsing in the actual space that you will be performing in, even if there is nothing on it, does impact you. As opposed to rehearsing at home or outdoors or some random space. I didn't believe it, until I rehearsed in both places. The acoustics are different, the feel of the room, the lack of interruption or distractions makes a difference in how I emotionally connect with my partner. Having an actual set versus green screen helps bring the world to life. I can only imagine how difficult and perhaps a little silly it seems to react to an imaginary character or circumstance. A set keeps you grounded in the circumstances and allows you to remain in the moment.
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I haven’t acted yet, but I can easily imagine how much a set can make you dream and transform the whole experience. I picture myself walking into a set and being fascinated, eyes wide open. I believe that a stage with beautiful sets and objects to interact or even improvise with would have a much stronger impact on the actors. Just the image you shared already makes me want to step inside it.
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I agree. the set has a big impact on your acting. But I guess the same can be said for what you're wearing as well.
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Suzanne Bronson thanks for sharing your experience here. Always so informative to hear from actors with lots of experience such as yourself. As someone who does most rehearsing in at home (as I am doing an online training) it makes me curious and excited to get to rehearse on a proper set one day.
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This is such a great question, Alexandra Stevens and a fantastic takeaway from RB’s latest Coffee & Content blog! Thanks for sharing it here. When you’re physically surrounded by the world your character lives in, it can spark instinctual reactions, help you ground your performance, and make emotional beats feel more authentic. On the other hand, working on a minimal or CGI-heavy set really flexes the imagination muscle and can sharpen your internal visualization skills, which is its own powerful tool.
Both have their challenges and benefits, and hearing from others about how they adapt is such a valuable conversation.
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So I came across this article today, and I thought I would share it, as it is relevant to this discussion. Melissa Navia discussing acting with practical effects and AR.
https://www.slashfilm.com/1959211/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-3-...
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Minh Nguyen yes i feel similarly to you. How magical it must be
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Ashley Renée Smith yes i think sharpening one's imagination is true mastery. I'm in awe of actors who seem completely 'in' their imaginative world. I sometimes wish I still had the same imagination i had as a child and I also believe it can be reclaimed.
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Suzanne Bronson oh that's really interesting to learn that often these days a combination of effects are used including digital and traditional. I can see how projecting video on the surrounding backgrounds would help the actors. At the same time the puppeteering and costume work makes sense for the. Gorn itself.
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I completely understand, Alexandra Stevens!