The Green Room - Crossing the Line

Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am

Cheeky Monkey Offline
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Some questions about "the line" (feel free to answer any or all of them):

1. What's your "line" as an actor? i.e. things that you refuse to do. You know, things like kissing (opposite or same sex) smoking, cursing, sex (simulated or real). For example, I'm willing to curse a little bit but refuse to show nudity, etc.

2. What would it take for you to cross that line? A million dollars? I'm not propositioning, Roll Eyes

but am curious if you would ever see yourself in a position to compromise your line.

3. Have you ever been in a situation where your line was challenged? For example, if you agreed to do a role, signed on the dotted line, etc. only to find out too late that you have to do something that you promised yourself you wouldn't do. What did you do?

4. A more general question: should actors even have lines? Maybe acting is acting no matter what it is. I obviously don't agree, since I have a line, but I could definitely see an argument for that.

"Depends. Did you feel anything for the pumpkin? The midgets?" -Wildcard&&&&If Mary Matalin and James Carville can make it work, ANYONE can. The end.

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Reply #1 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:56am

Wc365 Offline
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The Random Element
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Good topic, by the way.

Cheeky Monkey wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

1. �What's your "line" as an actor?

If I ever encounter it, I'll let you know. As it happens, most roles I've ever had were... well, pretty safe.

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2. What would it take for you to cross that line?

No idea (see above), although I think quite a number of performers have established definite boundaries and came out ahead in the long run for it.

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3. Have you ever been in a situation where your line was challenged?

Sorry to be so boring, but... well, wait. Does being an in-bound call-center puke count? People call in on that 1-800 number on the infomercial they're watching at 10:22 p.m., you get the call, and you have to read a script with conviction that you really don't agree with?

I eventually quit the job.

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4. A more general question: should actors even have lines? Maybe acting is acting no matter what it is. I obviously don't agree, since I have a line, but I could definitely see an argument for that.

Sure, but I think performers are more marketable when ~~they'll do anything for a buck~~ they're flexible, and willing to take chances and challenge their own assumptions.

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Reply #2 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:03am

spiker Offline
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I don't see a problem with actors having thresholds that they won't go beyond. But then, my threshold is pretty far in the distance. The only things I can think of that I won't do (on stage or screen) is have real sex (of any kind) or physically harm myself (or allow myself to be harmed). For me, those things go beyond something I can "act out" and become things that I'm really doing. Kissing, simulated sex, for me don't fall into the same category. I can't imagine a situation where I would compromise, mainly because there's very little I won't do.

My threshold has been only mildly challenged. I had a director who wanted to use dirt from the eucalyptus grove on campus to cover the stage where we all rolled around, squatted, etc. in various states of undress. The dirt was filled with bits of broken glass and other things nobody should have to deal with. I was the only actor who had the balls to say anything about it, and the director went and bought a couple bags of dirt.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #3 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:07am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

There is only on e time I have had an issue with my "line" as an actor, which was this past month auditioning for a show. There are two words I will not say on stage (deity-based profanities), and the script included the character I was rerding using each several times. They said they were willing to negotitae with the author, but, as a writer myself, �I didn't want to ask him to make changes. I told them I felt that, in this case, the best thing for the play was for me to remove myself from consideration. They thanked me for my honesty, and the director told me she looked forward to working with me on other projects.

That particular line, I don't cross, no matter what. It's a promise I've made, and I couldn't live with the guilt. Otherwise, I'll push my boundries of what makes me uncomfortable pretty far, as long as it's artistically justified (physically harm myself? Bring it on!).

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Reply #4 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:09am

kitchensinger Offline
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Cheeky Monkey wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

Some questions about "the line" (feel free to answer any or all of them):

1. �What's your "line" as an actor? i.e. things that you refuse to do. You know, things like kissing (opposite or same sex) smoking, cursing, sex (simulated or real). �For example, I'm willing to curse a little bit but refuse to show nudity, etc.

Kissing: yes. �But no passionate kissing. �No nudity. �Mild cuss words are okay for me.

Cheeky Monkey wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

2. What would it take for you to cross that line? A million dollars? I'm not propositioning, � Roll Eyes

but am curious if you would ever see yourself in a position to compromise your line.

Since my "line" is founded on principle AND considerations for the feelings of my spouse, I wouldn't cross it for anything.

Cheeky Monkey wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

3. Have you ever been in a situation where your line was challenged? For example, if you agreed to do a role, signed on the dotted line, etc. only to find out too late that you have to do something that you promised yourself you wouldn't do. What did you do?

My opinion on this is if the actor has done his/her homework BEFORE the audition and researched both the ROLE and the DIRECTOR and found that there would be no compromise, then the actor's line should be respected. �If the director wants something unconventional for a certain role, she/he should address this at auditions. �In a situation where I had done my due diligence and the director and I couldn't come to a compromise, I would decline the role.

Cheeky Monkey wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

4. A more general question: should actors even have lines? Maybe acting is acting no matter what it is. I obviously don't agree, since I have a line, but I could definitely see an argument for that.

Since there are other factors to consider such as the feelings of spouses, the comfort-level of an audience, and different value-systems for different actors...I don't think "lines" are irrational. �I think the important thing is to be firm and know what they are so that as an actor I can be able to communicate them to my director so he can make a casting decision that will be best for all.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #5 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:11am

spiker Offline
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Quote:

(physically harm myself? Bring it on!).

You know what I'm talking about.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #6 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:22am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

spiker wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:11am:

Quote:

(physically harm myself? Bring it on!).

You know what I'm talking about. �

No, I don't, actually. Maybe I'm just being thick.

I'm thinking of some actors I know who are afraid to get slapped or take a tumble onstage. I never hesitate on those things.

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Reply #7 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:37am

spiker Offline
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Quote:

spiker wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:11am:

Quote:

(physically harm myself? Bring it on!).

You know what I'm talking about.

No, I don't, actually. Maybe I'm just being thick.

I'm thinking of some actors I know who are afraid to get slapped or take a tumble onstage. I never hesitate on those things.

Oh, god no. I'm talking about things that would make SAG or Equity cringe. For instance, I would never allow myself to really be shot up with heroin just because a director thought it would be more "real". Stuff like that. Injuring an actor for the sake of filming or seeing the injury take place.

I have encountered two extremes on this issue: A. Actors who think they have to do everything a director says, no matter what damage it does to their person or psyche, and are not willing to stand up for themselves, or B. Actors who have a list of "I won't's" that is so long as to make them unmanageable.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #8 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:44am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

spiker wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:37am:

Quote:

spiker wrote on Aug 6^th, 2008 at 9:11am:

Quote:

(physically harm myself? Bring it on!).

You know what I'm talking about. �

No, I don't, actually. Maybe I'm just being thick.

I'm thinking of some actors I know who are afraid to get slapped or take a tumble onstage. I never hesitate on those things.

Oh, god no. �I'm talking about things that would make SAG or Equity cringe. �For instance, I would never allow myself to really be shot up with heroin just because a director thought it would be more "real". �Stuff like that. �Injuring an actor for the sake of filming or seeing the injury take place.

I have encountered two extremes on this issue: A. Actors who think they have to do everything a director says, no matter what damage it does to their person or psyche, and are not willing to stand up for themselves, or B. Actors who have a list of "I won't's" that is so long as to make them unmanageable.

Gotcha. We completely agree. I extend that to smoking on stage (I'd do the herbal cigarettes).

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Reply #9 - Aug 6^th, 2008 at 10:32am

The Heathenist Offline
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1. �What's your "line" as an actor?

hmm...i think i am pretty much up for anything. nudity is the only one that freaks me out, but that is just a body image issue, and i think it is just something that scares me because it is an unknown to me in the sense that i have never had to be naked on stage. i think once i got past the initial uncomfortableness of it, i would be fine. then again i would have to know that it was a paying gig for me to expose myself

. other than that...kissing men or women is fine, simulated sex is fine, smoking is fine although i will cough a lot if i have to inhale...i have no qualms with language. there are words i am not as comfortable saying in everyday life, but that doesn't transfer to roles i play. and stunts etc are no problem as long as there are rules and saftey training that goes along with it.

2. What would it take for you to cross that line? not much other than for the nudity i think i would require a paycheck at least.

3. Have you ever been in a situation where your line was challenged? nah. well back in the day when i was a good little boy, i would just cut out language without telling anyone...but that was expected in my highschool.

4. A more general question: should actors even have lines? I think there is no problem with actors having lines. we each have our own comfort zones of what we will and will not do, and that is fine, and i think if you are open and honest about those lines/limits with your director from day one of the audition process, then they will be very understanding and they will respect those wishes. i think it is when you don't tell about your limits/lines until after you have been cast that there is a problem, because that can ruin or completley alter the directors vision. on the other hand, i think the more successful actors or the more edgy and open ones that are willing to do more. not because they are better, but that because of their openness to everything, it opens more doors for more interesting acting opportunities.

Love if you can and be loved.&&&&You see what you look for, ya know?&&&&I like smiling, smiling's my favorite!

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