The Actor I have chosen to study is Daniel-Day Lewis.
I have chosen this actor because I believe he shows some of the best displays of acting for camera, and also a true pioneer of successful British actors.
Having being trained in Bristol's Old Vic theatre school; Lewis' career is vast and well renowned,
being the only male actor in history to achieve three wins in the lead actor category in the academy awards. The specific characters I am going to pick apart and analyze are Daniel Plainview from There Will Be Blood (2007) and also Bill "The Butcher" Cutting from Gangs Of New York(2002).
I feel that these two roles are stunning examples of acting for camera and really help give me a sense of what level of dedication to a character can be achieved and how effective that is on film.
The example I will be referring to from There Will Be Blood is a scene between Daniel-Day Lewis and Paul Deno(Eli), where Deno asks Daniel For money for the church.
In a scene previous Daniel's son has been made deaf due to an oil rig exploding and begins to question the preachers power to heal his son.
Rust Chole, 2012, There Will Be Blood - Bury you underground Eli (1080 HD) [online video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugTbwvVuLKA [Accessed 20/10/2014]
"You must consider all aspects of that individual: the time and place in which he lives, the way he dresses, the way he speaks, the way he moves. in other words you must be stylistically truthful to the character" (Barr, 1997)
I feel Daniel-Day Lewis' work on this character is at an extremely high standard, which is something he is known for, really inhabiting a role and almost living in another persons skin for a certain amount of time.
The next example is from Gangs of New York, in this scene Daniel- Day Lewis(Bill) and John C. Riley(Jack) are discussing what action should be taken due to a rabbit being hung in Paradise Square.
This scene is interesting because throughout each characters status is being challenged by the other, in the ends Bill comes out victorious.
BramblesBest. 2010, Gangs of New York - Daniel-Day Lewis - "Poor Rabbit" scene [online video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrkw1UgX3q0 [Accessed 20/10/2014]
In this clip, between 1.39 and 2.12; a long sequence in which Bill pretends to become upset at the death of the "poor rabbit". This is an unique example of giving a character objectives and succeeding in their super objective, to watch Daniel-day Lewis take such a journey with a character for example when he begins to sob at the thought, then instantly breaks from the last objective straight into a new and precise objective, in such a short amount of time is awe inspiring. Really playing with his sight line and leaving the audience contemplating the outcome of this short monologue.
"The first time you go out in-front of a camera is not like going out on your first date. You don't have to make a special impression. the camera doesn't have to be wooed; the camera already loves you deeply. like an attentive mistress, the camera hangs on your every word, your every look; she can't take her eyes off you. She is listening to and recording everything you do, however minutely you do it; you have never known such devotion." (Caine. 1990)
I find this quote relevant when talking about Daniel-Day Lewis because he is an extremely immersive actor; he always is very much in the moment, living the scene and you can see that whilst watching him. For example between 0.43 and 0.55, he takes a moment to himself; holding his heads in his closed hands very much in character to think about the the scenario he's in, and delivers it perfectly.
I am personally extremely inspired by Daniel-Day Lewis, not only by the level of performance he gives. but the commitment he undertakes to find that believability. I feel I can apply myself and aspire to reach such a level.
*BIBLIOGRAPHY*
BramblesBest. 2010, Gangs of New York - Daniel-Day Lewis - "Poor Rabbit" scene [online video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrkw1UgX3q0 [Accessed 20/10/2014]
Rust Chole, 2012, There Will Be Blood - Bury you underground Eli (1080 HD) [online video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugTbwvVuLKA [Accessed 20/10/2014]
Barr, T. (1997) Acting for the Camera: Revised Edition. New York Penrennial Library
Caine, M. (1990) Acting in Film: An Actor's Take on Moviemaking. New York, Applause Theatre Book Publishers.
Weston, J. (1996) Directing Actors. Michigan. McNaughton & Gunn Inc.
Daniel-Day Lewis IMDB Page. (1990-2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000358/?ref_=nv_sr_1 [Accessed 20/10/2014
**SHORT FILM**
Here is my pick of a short film I really enjoyed.
Firstly because I felt it had a very David Fincher style cinematography playing with depths of field and light, but also it was relatable, touching on themes of loneliness.
I felt the acting was poor in places but all in all very nice.
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