I am a director. Not a hollywood director, but I direct my own films, and study film at school.
I've grown tired of people on here acting as though they know everything about directing, and about Lucas. It's not true.
Let me explain to you guys the role of a director. He is the head creative force behind a film and oversee's all aspects, yes, even the acting. However, bad acting is not always a result of the directors fault. The director tells the actor what he needs to do. However, it's the actors responsibilty to transform themeself into their character and feel that emotion inside of them.
From my own experience working with other actors, there was a scene I wanted done a certain way. I even acted the part out myself to the other person so I could show them exactly the way I wanted it done. The actor that I was working with, did a good job, but didn't match what I was looking for. I went over it again, and he still couldn't nail it dead on. At this point, the director has a few options. Go out and hire another actor, or make do with what you have. Lucas was smart, and made do with what he had. That's something any bold director would do.
Plus, Lucas made it work.
Let me give you an example of this. Why was Ewan McGregor and Ian McDiarmid's acting so good, because Lucas directed them better? No. It's because Ewan McGregor and Ian McDiarmid know how to transform themselves into their character. They understand how to control the pitch of their voice to make their dialouge sound believeable. Some actors have greater sense of emotion than others. It's just the way it works.
I'm also tired of people trashing on Lucas' script writing. Lucas can write, however, if the dialogue is not delivered properly, it destroys the script writing. Take for example Ewan McGregor's "NOOOO!" from Episode I. Everybody liked it. Why, because McGregor screamed it out right. However, everyone came on here and complained about Darth Vader's cheesy sounding "NOOOO!" in Episode 3. It's the same exact word Ewan shouted, but it was just delivered differently, and if it was delivered wrong, it certainly doesn't help out the writing any.
I'm not mad at anyone inparticular here. I've just seen it time and time again, people thinking they know everything about directing, and from a director's standpoint, I thought I should throw my 2 cents in.
Indeed.
Hayden did a perfect job.
In ep2, he is petulant, a whiny teen.
Ian Mcdiarmid said so, Rick McCallum said so, and George said so.
Hayden gets shit for doing his job right.
Its the CHARACTER that you don't like, not Hayden's acting.
All he does is what he's told.
Same for ep3.
Watch the Doc. "the chosen one".
GL gives him very specific ways to speak, stand, move,.....etc...
And while we are re-casting.....
Let's have Haley Joel Osmond as young ani in EP1, and the guy wno played Rufio in HOOK for young Bobba.
Originally posted by Sith Master X
I've grown tired of people on here acting as though they know everything about directing, and about Lucas. It's not true.Let me explain to you guys the role of a director. He is the head creative force behind a film and oversee's all aspects, yes, even the acting. However, bad acting is not always a result of the directors fault. The director tells the actor what he needs to do. However, it's the actors responsibilty to transform themeself into their character and feel that emotion inside of them.
Just look at Portman. There's no way you can go from giving an Oscar-nominated performance in Closer to giving the performance she did in Sith without being told to...
Sorry, I'm not trying to undermine your clear knowledge from being in the industry... (I'm probably one of the people who annoy you 😛 ). Just saying how it looks from my perspective... 🙂
Originally posted by DeVi| D0do
Usually, I'd agree with you... But here, I really think the 'fault' lies mostly with Lucas. I use the term 'fault' lightly because in his eyes, I'm sure there wasn't any. He's said time and again that his movies are soap operas in space... and that's where the acting's coming from. The dialogue too. I have no doubt that the acting he coached out of his cast was purposeful...Just look at Portman. There's no way you can go from giving an Oscar-nominated performance in Closer to giving the performance she did in Sith without being told to...
Sorry, I'm not trying to undermine your clear knowledge from being in the industry... (I'm probably one of the people who annoy you 😛 ). Just saying how it looks from my perspective... 🙂
No, you're not annoying me at all. lol I respect your opinion entirely.
Director's are responsible for actor's performances to an extent. The thing is, it's just not "always" their fault for bad acting, is my key point. It helps to have a director who can give the actor a good insight on what exactly it is they need to do, rather than a director who's just like "ahh, do whatever you want."
You did make an excellent point about Portman though. I won't argue there.
One last thing too for everyone.
Keep in mind how difficult it is to act in an environment where everything you see is either blue or green. Again, this is from my own experience. I mean you literally have to envision everything that's going on in this futuristic like atmosphere, and you're not even really there, just blue or green all around you. Even Ewan McGregor said this was difficult.
I'm in the process of doing a Star Wars fan film, most of which is done in front of a green screen. I'll tell you, it's really cool to think about some of the stuff you're doing. Filming upstairs in a hallway in front a green screen, then going onto the editing system and creating a magnificant illusion to the audience by adding background environments.
It's a wonderful experience. I know it was for Lucas too. He had alot of fun with what he doing, creating that illusion, just as I have. Basically, that's why I'm able to relate to him so much.
Anyone interested in seeing screenshots of my film, with greenscreen, and then the same shot again with the background environment added later, send me a PM. I'll be happy to show you how the proccess works.
Originally posted by Sith Master X
Director's are responsible for actor's performances to an extent. The thing is, it's just not "always" their fault for bad acting, is my key point. It helps to have a director who can give the actor a good insight on what exactly it is they need to do, rather than a director who's just like "ahh, do whatever you want."
.
Keep in mind how difficult it is to act in an environment where everything you see is either blue or green. Again, this is from my own experience. I mean you literally have to envision everything that's going on in this futuristic like atmosphere, and you're not even really there, just blue or green all around you. Even Ewan McGregor said this was difficult.
But surely thats Lucas' fault?
I get what your saying, but like Devil Dodo said, most of the fault lies with Lucas. He's the grand visionary, where he's the boss and has full control. Everyone has to like what he likes and everyone has to follow him. He says when a performance is "good enough" so it's his fault.
The dialog, although intentionally "bad", just wasn't as charming, likable or as entertaining as the Original Trilogy, and thats what hurt it the most.
The acting seems to be a giant grey area though. Alec Guiness in the originals was absolutely brilliant, as were Frank Oz's Yoda and Palpatine.
Sure Palpatine was good in Sith, but don't you think he came across as a caracature of the ROTJ Emperor? Like Lucas was basing the character off of ROTJ, rather than making McDairmid BECOME him again? Same goes for Yoda, who seemed to be a bad impression of classic OT Yoda.
Sith Master X is right.
Hayden's did well in RotS. Better than most people would've done. But he just couldn't completely become Anakin. I'm not saying he didn't act like him, but he didn't become him, like a perfect actor. I don't blame him, though. Anakin's shifting emotions are very difficult to play out.