Does method acting screw people up?

Etwynn · 07-22-2008, 05:36 PM

To get into character, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month. Then he overdosed on drugs.

Christian Bale is Batman and allegedly assaulted his family members
Christian Bale denies assault - Los Angeles Times

Owen Wilson plays a suicidal character and then actually tries to kill himself
(Darjeeling Limited)

I'm not saying that playing these roles forced these actors to do these things, but when you're trying to get into the mindset of a character that's in a dark place, it's going to mess you up.

Then again, it could just be the fame. Thoughts?

Arbitrary · 07-22-2008, 05:38 PM

Martin Sheen got pretty fucked up in Apocalypse Now.

Occido · 07-22-2008, 05:41 PM

I remember reading somewhere that "Method Acting" is the most dangerous form of acting. Most actors don't recommend it.

Can't remember if I read that here on these forums or somewhere else.

Etwynn · 07-22-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Occido

I remember reading somewhere that "Method Acting" is the most dangerous form of acting.

I'd also say that method actors are the best ones out there.

Daniel Day-Lewis.

Vorph · 07-22-2008, 05:58 PM

The Bale example doesn't really belong with the others. Playing Batman isn't exactly that much of an acting challenge, and I'm pretty sure that if something really bad was to happen to him because of method acting it would have been because of The Machinist, not Batman.

Zarcath · 07-22-2008, 06:15 PM

If you were a multi-million dollar actor and chilling in your sute and your mother and sister show up and start bugging the shit out of you, you wouldn't get a little pissed off? Even if it's true, what kind of family runs to the police over a little domestic abuse? If they can walk they're fine.

kegkilla · 07-22-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarcath

If you were a multi-million dollar actor and chilling in your sute and your mother and sister show up and start bugging the shit out of you, you wouldn't get a little pissed off? Even if it's true, what kind of family runs to the police over a little domestic abuse? If they can walk they're fine.

srsly, cut those fuckers off

kegkilla · 07-22-2008, 06:24 PM

also where has it been said that bale used method acting to get into character for batman?

Occido · 07-22-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etwynn

I'd also say that method actors are the best ones out there.

Daniel Day-Lewis.

I agree

brekk · 07-22-2008, 08:12 PM

causation versus causality.

Does method acting screw someone up, or is it that screwed up actors choose to use it.

And by screwed up i mean mentally unstable, possible signs of psychosis. Not necessarily crazy... but not quite right.

Welwood · 07-22-2008, 08:20 PM

Faille · 07-22-2008, 08:24 PM

From what I've read Ledger wasn't even doing method acting for batman. Most interviews I've said from the cast say how remarkable it was that he could be completely normal and himself up until the camera's started rolling and then instantly drop into the character.

Dom Devore · 07-22-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welwood

This is the most retarded thing I've ever heard of, honestly.

Blaming method acting on heath ledgers death is like blaming the guitar for jimi hendrix oding, rock music on violent kids or tv for just about anything.

The guy worked batshit insane hours and was taking uppers to stay awake and downers to go to sleep, that shit will kill ANYONE given the same circumstances.

Method acting is simply a tool in the toolbox of any well trained actor. You don't hear anyone saying OMFG STANISLAVSKY WHY DID YOU KILL MONROE, CAN YOU BELIEVE JAMES DEAN DIED FROM LISTENING TO UTA HAGAN?!!

Seriously, it just shows a complete lack of understanding about what acting actually is to think this way. Method acting is not some mystical state of being, it's a technique, not fucking voodoo.

Are you a fucking idiot or something? You're honestly going to compare Hendrix playing his guitar, to someone removing themselves from reality and dropping themselves into another persona for months on end?

I'm not even arguing that method acting can, or does cause shit like what happened with Ledger, but the fact that you would compare those two vastly different situations boggles my mind.

Welwood · 07-22-2008, 08:59 PM

damastez · 07-22-2008, 09:03 PM

Batman shoulda hit them bitches with a batarang. Could have taught them both a lesson with one throw.

07-22-2008, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Etwynn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 164 -29 Internets	Does method acting screw people up? To get into character, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month. Then he overdosed on drugs. Christian Bale is Batman and allegedly assaulted his family members Christian Bale denies assault - Los Angeles Times Owen Wilson plays a suicidal character and then actually tries to kill himself (Darjeeling Limited) I'm not saying that playing these roles forced these actors to do these things, but when you're trying to get into the mindset of a character that's in a dark place, it's going to mess you up. Then again, it could just be the fame. Thoughts? __________________ "My God, it's full of stars!"

07-22-2008, 05:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Occido Your money's on the dresser. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere in the Mountains Posts: 1,580	I remember reading somewhere that "Method Acting" is the most dangerous form of acting. Most actors don't recommend it. Can't remember if I read that here on these forums or somewhere else. __________________ When a man isn't busy killing another, he spends the rest of his time killing what resembles himself the most.

07-22-2008, 08:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
brekk the illest motherfucker in a cardigan sweater Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The CT Posts: 4,299 -19 Internets	causation versus causality. Does method acting screw someone up, or is it that screwed up actors choose to use it. And by screwed up i mean mentally unstable, possible signs of psychosis. Not necessarily crazy... but not quite right. __________________ Brekk [We R Bessy] Zul'Jin Shadowpriest

07-22-2008, 08:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Welwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 140 -6 Internets	. Last edited by Welwood : 07-31-2008 at 03:21 PM.

07-22-2008, 08:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Faille Fires of Heaven Officer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,685 +13 Internets	From what I've read Ledger wasn't even doing method acting for batman. Most interviews I've said from the cast say how remarkable it was that he could be completely normal and himself up until the camera's started rolling and then instantly drop into the character. __________________ Faille Fires of Heaven http://www.fohguild.org/forums/uberw...lopment-forum/

07-22-2008, 05:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vorph Never Go Full Retard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 5,880	The Bale example doesn't really belong with the others. Playing Batman isn't exactly that much of an acting challenge, and I'm pretty sure that if something really bad was to happen to him because of method acting it would have been because of The Machinist, not Batman.

07-22-2008, 06:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zarcath Read Farmer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 5,367 +32 Internets	If you were a multi-million dollar actor and chilling in your sute and your mother and sister show up and start bugging the shit out of you, you wouldn't get a little pissed off? Even if it's true, what kind of family runs to the police over a little domestic abuse? If they can walk they're fine.

07-22-2008, 06:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
kegkilla Sultan of Swingin on niggaz Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: killadelphia Posts: 1,861 -201 Internets	also where has it been said that bale used method acting to get into character for batman?

07-22-2008, 08:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
Welwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 140 -6 Internets	. Last edited by Welwood : 07-31-2008 at 03:20 PM.

07-22-2008, 09:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
damastez Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 46	Batman shoulda hit them bitches with a batarang. Could have taught them both a lesson with one throw.

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