Hypothetical Question (1 Viewer)

[TheIronSheik]

Big movie break?

I was in my best shape from 20-24.   So yes?

"Big break" as in you've only been doing small roles before.  

I think the best way I can put it is like this:

You get to be one of those naked people that just stands still during a scene in WestWorld, no lines.  Your face would be seen for about 3 to 5 minutes, but it's probably not the stepping stone that gets you into your Oscar role.  In reality, there's a 99% chance you still never get called for another role again and you have to find another line of work.

 

[Henry Ford]

I guess Im with the Sheik. I think its pretty rare that a minor role would require full frontal. So, Im not buying that it has to be part of the job or the "its not really you" angle. 

It's pretty rare that a young actor gets a big break, too.

 

[Henry Ford]

"Big break" as in you've only been doing small roles before.  

I think the best way I can put it is like this:

You get to be one of those naked people that just stands still during a scene in WestWorld, no lines.  Your face would be seen for about 3 to 5 minutes, but it's probably not the stepping stone that gets you into your Oscar role.  In reality, there's a 99% chance you still never get called for another role again and you have to find another line of work.

That's definitely not a big break.  Totally different discussion.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

"Big break" as in you've only been doing small roles before.  

I think the best way I can put it is like this:

You get to be one of those naked people that just stands still during a scene in WestWorld, no lines.  Your face would be seen for about 3 to 5 minutes, but it's probably not the stepping stone that gets you into your Oscar role.  In reality, there's a 99% chance you still never get called for another role again and you have to find another line of work.

That's not acting, that's being set dressing.  No need to take that gig to forward ones career.  You take that gig because you need money, are a freak, or both.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

need money, are a freak, or both.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Again, it's hard to find a direct comparison since I'm not knowledgeable about acting.  Maybe I shouldn't have said no talking, because I guess that makes a huge difference with SAG.  Maybe more like WW, but where the actor also gets to say a couple lines.  Maybe they are playing a naked male model in a painting class.  And during the whole scene, they are standing in the background.  Then finally, the main actors approach the actor and talk with him for 3 minutes.  Maybe something like that?

 

[bcdjr1]

I'm cool with your feelings, but - irt not buying the, "it's not really you" - all I can say is, try it - experience it for yourself, then share how it feels. 

Sincerely. 

I saw part of an interview Emmy Rossum did on Conan talking about her nude scenes on Shameless. She said much the same thing, that it wasn't really her, it was the character. And so it didn't bother her who saw it. 

https://youtu.be/DRsNjMwIKTk

 

[TheIronSheik]

 Now he's changing the scenario because he didn't get the responses he wanted.

What are you talking about?  

It's called a conversation.  Didn't you already "win" this thread?  Why not just leave and celebrate your victory.

 

[Henry Ford]

Again, it's hard to find a direct comparison since I'm not knowledgeable about acting.  Maybe I shouldn't have said no talking, because I guess that makes a huge difference with SAG.  Maybe more like WW, but where the actor also gets to say a couple lines.  Maybe they are playing a naked male model in a painting class.  And during the whole scene, they are standing in the background.  Then finally, the main actors approach the actor and talk with him for 3 minutes.  Maybe something like that?

Yeah, I think anything over a U/5 (under five lines) would probably qualify as a "big break" for someone who's only had very minor roles.  It would be called a "principal" role even though not a main character.  

Any first principal role would be a huge deal.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Again, it's hard to find a direct comparison since I'm not knowledgeable about acting.  Maybe I shouldn't have said no talking, because I guess that makes a huge difference with SAG.  Maybe more like WW, but where the actor also gets to say a couple lines.  Maybe they are playing a naked male model in a painting class.  And during the whole scene, they are standing in the background.  Then finally, the main actors approach the actor and talk with him for 3 minutes.  Maybe something like that?

Well then that is acting. 

 

[TheIronSheik]

Yeah, I think anything over a U/5 (under five lines) would probably qualify as a "big break" for someone who's only had very minor roles.  It would be called a "principal" role even though not a main character.  

Any first principal role would be a huge deal.

Again, I know nothing about acting or Hollywood when it comes to jobs.  My only knowledge is that if you have a speaking part, you get a SAG card.  And I only know that from comedians I knew.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Well then that is acting. 

Did I say it wasn't acting? I'm getting confused here.

 

[Henry Ford]

Again, I know nothing about acting or Hollywood when it comes to jobs.  My only knowledge is that if you have a speaking part, you get a SAG card.  And I only know that from comedians I knew.

Yeah, but from what we're talking about this person has has "minor roles" before.  That basically means he's had U/5 experience.  A big break at that point means "principal role." 

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

I saw part of an interview Emmy Rossum did on Conan talking about her nude scenes on Shameless. She said much the same thing, that it wasn't really her, it was the character. And so it didn't bother her who saw it. 

https://youtu.be/DRsNjMwIKTk

Great vid. Thnx. 

I agree 100% with her. Also, I forgot to mention that not all actors approach this with the same perspective. 

We were taught Method techniques - that take one out of themselves and into the character. This can be dissociative - adding to the experience of, "not me". 

Actors who are not Method, may not necessarily feel the same as I described. Thus, I want to be fair to those who don't experience it the way I do. 

Again - Great vid - I feel exactly the same as Emmy . 

 

[TheIronSheik]

Yeah, but from what we're talking about this person has has "minor roles" before.  That basically means he's had U/5 experience.  A big break at that point means "principal role." 

Don't take my words literal since I'm a moron when it comes to terms.  "Minor roles" to me was more like being an extra, or maybe having a line on a TV show.

 

[Henry Ford]

Don't take my words literal since I'm a moron when it comes to terms.  "Minor roles" to me was more like being an extra, or maybe having a line on a TV show.

Oh.  Okay.  For TV:

Background actor (no lines, extra work) ($150 or so for a day)

U/5 ($350-$500)

Principal/Day Player ($1000 a day)

Lead ($3200 a day)

Moving from one category to another is a big break - with the exception that going from no category to extra work is not a big break.  Any of those jumps are worth skating on the edge of what you want to do, in my opinion.

 

[Henry Ford]

I'm guessing this hypothetical person was only an "extra" before this. They would still be SAG after three days, but getting a speaking role would look much better on their resume.

Nine days.

Edit: Three stints of three days each.  It's actually much harder to do that than you'd think.

 

[gianmarco]

So like at my brothers wedding, only on film, no sweat.

I'm sure I'd sweat.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I'm excited for the next hypothetical question I ask using a Hollywood analogy now that I have all of this new information.

 

[Tom Servo]

On a complete wild tangent here, but you reminded me of something:  When did humans start to feel the need to shave their faces?  And why do we still do that to this day and accept it as normal?  It just seems so odd that no one ever looked at razors and shaving cream and went, "Wait.  What the hell are we doing here?"

Since my open heart surgery, I really haven't shaved my face (except for straggler hairs on my cheek) in almost 7 years.

 

[mr. furley]

Only if I got my choice of merkin. 

@velvet merkin

 

[Good Posting Judge]

No. It is against the Lord's will.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Did I say it wasn't acting? I'm getting confused here.

No, I implied that if all they were doing was standing on scene, nude, that they were set dressing and nothing more, and then you added in some lines so I changed my view.