I was in the process of writing my Masters and I was watching a lot of films in university to do my research on. One of my favourite actors at the time without a doubt is Robert Pattinson. I had heard nothing but good things about him and decided to seek him out on film after film to see if he was as good as everyone was making him out to be. I soon discovered that he is one of the most underrated actors of our time. In this article, we will explore the acting skill and technique of this very talented individual.
The Making of ‘Cosmopolis’
‘Cosmopolis’ is a 2011 movie directed and co-written by Babak Karimzadah. It is based on a short story by Don DeLillo and the film tells the story of a future Manhattan where skyscrapers are the ultimate status symbols and the most luxurious lifestyle is enjoyed by the 1%. One day, Eric Packer, (Pattinson) the billionaire owner of a media company, is at a loss as to how to spend his day. He doesn’t own a yacht or a palace, but he feels he deserves to be comfortable as he helps others be comfortable. He calls upon his lifelong friend, Frank Jellicles (Harrelson), who is the Mayor of New York City, to help him solve this problem. It is a satirical look at the super-rich and their impact on society. What makes this film so special is that it delves into themes of class struggle, corporate greed and the individual’s struggle for power.
The Technique Behind ‘Cosmopolis’
This highly acclaimed film was produced with a lot of attention to detail and it shows. From the very first scene, we are immersed in a high-tech, urban landscape that is both familiar and unique at the same time. We quickly learn that Eric is a man of few words and likes to keep emotions and expressions on the surface. He is a man of few actions as well and prefers to get his way through guile rather than brute force.
In the scene where Eric meets with the two thugs that are sent to rough him up, they come with a battering ram and an offer to take him down in a ‘friendly’ way. He smiles and accepts their offer because he knows that they are on his side and will do whatever it takes to see to it that he doesn’t step out of line. Throughout the scene, we see a lot of close-ups of his face as he considers the offer and weighs the pros and the cons. This is very reminiscent of how a real leader would make a decision under similar circumstances. We get a sense of his inner turmoil as he tries to decide whether to go with the two thugs or have the police escort that he is expecting.
The Inner Workings Of A Great Actor
It isn’t easy being an actor, especially a great one. You constantly have to prove yourself to an audience that is often skeptical of your skill. To succeed as an actor, you need to develop a set of skills that will help you bring your character to life on screen.
Usually, this involves a lot of reading, a lot of watching and a lot of listening. Although, in recent years, technology has changed the way we consume content, nothing can replace the value of actual experience when it comes to truly understanding an actor’s process. This is why most great actors will often times spend a lot of time on sets where they can observe how things work and can ask questions to the people around them to better understand the way their mind works and the kind of person they are playing.
The Importance Of Research
To play an effective character, you need to get in touch with your inner self. This is a tough task, especially if you haven’t played a particular character before or if the character is not based on someone you know. When you are given a blank piece of paper, it is easy to come up with an assortment of witty and charming remarks, but that is not acting, that is just you. When you play an oracle, you need to go beyond what is on surface for you and explore what makes you tick. For example, if you are given the character of Sherlock Holmes, you might want to examine your own detective skills or any eccentricities that you possess.
With that in mind, it is vital that you do your research. There are various ways in which you can do this. First, you can read as much as you can about the subject. Second, you can watch documentaries and films about them. Third, you can ask others who have known the subject personally for their opinions. Fourth, you can even look at other actors’ performances and see how they played similar roles. Finally, you can use the Internet to your advantage. There are numerous blogs, forums and websites where you can get information about anything you might need to know in order to play a particular character effectively.
With so much information available on the Web, you can find anything you need to know about acting and the people who act onscreen. If you would like to see more articles like this, please get in touch via the form below, we would love to hear from you