W H Macy article on Acting (with Quotes)

Hey All

I thought I would quote a few great quotes from an article in the Independent a few years back. I’ve included a link for those that like the quotes enough to want to read the entire article.

“The most outrageous tenet of practical aesthetics,” he says, “is that emotions cannot be controlled. They’re not part of the technique … For many actors, this is an outrageous notion. But psychoanalysis backs it up. Mamet says – forget the emotions. They’re boring anyway. They’re a bore to watch. The best emotion comes from watching a brave person fighting for something, fighting to fix a problem they can’t fix.”

AND

“There’s a rule in acting – if you cry, the audience won’t. If you laugh, they won’t. It’s theatrical suicide to laugh at your own joke. On the other hand, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than someone being stoical in the face of tragedy.”

AND

“I’m a written-page guy,” he says. “The writer gives you everything you need.”

If you haven’t read it, it’s fun to get an insight from a successful award-winning actor, director and writer who doesn’t get too much air time, doesn’t hog the limelight and has strong views about acting. Since he got a little more famous, he’s been able to pick and choose his roles a bit better, which means he’s not stuck playing ‘bankable’ copies of Jerry in Fargo.