Why Natalie Portman May Have A Point On Method Acting

Natalie Portman says that method acting is ‘a luxury that women can’t afford’ — here’s what the technique entails.
» Subscribe to @NowThis

#NataliePortman #Women #MethodActing #Entertainment #EntertainmentNews #NowThis

Connect with NowThis

Why Natalie Portman May Have A Point On Method Acting

[dylanc.]

"My dear boy, have you tried acting" is a quote from Sir Laurence Olivier that I think about every time I hear about a method actor

[Ineddiblehulk]

The Jared Leto one is just cover for him being a total abusive psychopath- how does sending a rat to a costar relate to YOUR experience and being in character. It’s abusive.

[starstuffatsea]

No she's right. Method Acting is based off Stanislavski's method of acting, which is where you connect your real life experiences to what your character is going through, but method acting takes this too far and beyond what could ever be reasonable. And all too often it is used as an excuse to be a jerk. I don't treat it as a real acting style, its just nonsense.

[melly_jk]

Hmm I mean I think she's got a point. If you're a great actor, you really shouldn't need to method act then. You have the talent and skill to call upon the character when the camera is rolling, plus you earned the role whether by audition or through prior work. While it can draw out some pretty authentic scenes and great moments, I dont see it being worthwhile especially if it harms the individual or potentially others.

[Blaqjaqshellaq]

"The hardest things to photograph are dogs, babies, motorboats, Charles Laughton... and method actors"--Alfred Hitchcock

[briar_the.discoyt]

Charlize Theron is also a critic of method acting and has been some really great points about it.

[sigh]

This reminds me of that old quote, “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did backwards and in high heels”.

An actress couldn’t do what say, Christian Bale did on set, and still have a career. They have to prove their worth, AND always look pretty AND always be pleasant while doing it.

[EroticInferno]

Method acting has always seemed… overkill to the point of insanity. Like, you have to keep it turned on 24:7..? That’s not impressive

[ayecams]

I agree with her. Being responsible for your mental/emotional well being is important even if you do what you love

[rosahettinga]

Like half of the people in this comment section are missing the point. The short was not about method acting being good or bad, it was about women not being able to do method acting even if they wanted to because that kind of behaivior wouldnt be tolareded with women. IT IS ABOUT SEXISME!

[briannacorrigan]

She right about women don’t have the luxury. Also I’ve said it once and I’ll say it forever, if you have to method act for a role, you aren’t a good actor. You should be able to turn it on and turn it off. That’s the point of acting, it’s a job nothing more.

[ClampsBert]

Stanislavski would spit on Jared Leto for his supposed "method acting". The whole point of the method is to be able to drop the character when you step off stage/the cameras turn off, not to give people an excuse to torment everyone around them on set.

[emilyb]

Zooey deschanel said on a podcast once that she wasn’t a fan of method acting because “acting is a collaboration, it’s not about your own performance it’s how you perform off of the rest of the cast and crew, and when you’re the only person method often times it’s disruptive to everyone else and that collaboration is lost” and I think it makes a lot of sense, maybe it depends on the role, but usually what makes a movie/show great is the dynamic between characters, the chemistry, not the solo monologue

[robbieboydudeguy]

When an actress does it, she’s crazy and it changes her reputation for the rest of her career. When an actor does it, he’s a great actor. She’s so right about the double standards the acting industry has that effects niches like going method just because of gender roles and stereotypes

[choi]

Considering that most method acting has been done by primarily men, yes. Women doing it is rare. Most women are not excepted on doing method acting and/or have children that they are the primary care takers for which would be hard for a child to understand to start with.

[katherineharrison]

I'm so glad that it's finally being addressed how dangerous method acting is. You never hear of a renound actress going method, and there's multiple reasons why.
If you have to become the person to be able to properly portray that character, then that's not acting. Also, note that it's never a kind person or a hero that these actors are playing. It's always someone who is racist, sexuality abusive, or just psychologically problematic. They're not doing it to 'get into character' they're doing it to get away with things that would otherwise never be tolerated.
The physiological side-effects post production are also long-lasting and quite damaging. It chamges a person.

[kendrajames]

Method acting can also be dangerous. The brain cannot tell the difference between real feelings, and the feelings that are acted out on screen or on stage. So if you attempt to live in the mind of a character, actors can loose sense of themselves and put themselves through a lot of emotional turmoil.

[lelianarochefort]

If you're a pro at acting, why can't you turn it off after the set ???

[OoooshetriesSs]

My favorite was when Dustin Hoffman tried method acting to prepare for a role as an Insomniac & decided to not sleep to be “in character”

He was in such bad shape, 1 of his bigger costars (at the time) leaned in & said “you know…. You should just try acting… it’s A LOT easier… & u know.. kinda ur job”

💀

[allisone]

Anne Hathaway has said something about not being able to method act because her kids want Mom to be Mom when she gets home. I think Natalie Portman nailed this take.