Author Topic: Borderline in acting (Read 19578 times)

quentin751 · « **on:** Feb 01, 2006, 12:56 PM »

ok i try to do my best to sound clear

I'm wondering about the borderline between faking , pretendin a feeling , an emotion as an actor and actually touching , kissing, hugging someone...

As i heard jake or read interviews, it looks like he and Heath never really talked about the intimacy created by the scenes, i think they even talked about the love scenes as " lets get rid of this quiclky"-scenes at Oprahs...

I know they 're str8, but still when you kiss someone, touch him, hold him close, dont you think there is an inescapable bound here that rises???

ethan · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 01, 2006, 01:22 PM »

Hello quentin751, thanks for the topic. This can be an interesting discussion and I am movinig this topic to

Characters & Quotes

scruffy · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 01, 2006, 07:49 PM »

I saw Jake on a late night talk show (I forget which one) and he described it as "kissing someone you don't like" I am guessing what he meant by that is kinda like when you're a kid and all the old ladies at the church Picnic come and give ya a big smooch and you have to be polite and pretend that you like it.

merry · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 02, 2006, 02:31 AM »

Quote from: scruffy on Feb 01, 2006, 07:49 PM

I saw Jake on a late night talk show (I forget which one) and he described it as "kissing someone you don't like" I am guessing what he meant by that is kinda like when you're a kid and all the old ladies at the church Picnic come and give ya a big smooch and you have to be polite and pretend that you like it.

It debunks the myth, doesn't it??

Merry

backtobrokeback · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 02, 2006, 12:55 PM »

I wish, oh I wish

either:

1) people would ask actors of religion X what it's like to play religion Y (Eric Bana in Munich), gay actors what it was like kissing a woman, and so on ALL THE TIME

or:

2) let it go

The very fascination it holds for people is itself fascinating. And yet, as a gay man, I NEVER asked what "STRAIGHT" kissing was. I just kissed relatives one way, and intimates another, women and men. Kissing is kissing, and couching it as a 'acting' question doesn't make it a better question.

Sorry for the rant.

btb

proulxfan · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 02, 2006, 07:26 PM »

backtobrokeback,

Outstanding!!! There are so many intriguing questions that this film raises and all anyone in the media seems interested in are the kissing and/or lovemaking scenes and "how did it feel to kiss another guy?" If this topic fascinates people so much, why don't they just go out and try it for themselves?? I feel great empathy for Gyllenhaal and Ledger having to repeatedly deal with these adolescent questions, and I am frustrated that they come at the expense of some of the questions you see being discussed here. ( I should note that the Charlie Rose interview is a laudable exception to these observations.)

backtobrokeback · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 02, 2006, 10:53 PM »

Well, yeah, but Charlie Rose is a god.

proulxfan · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 02, 2006, 11:16 PM »

Well, I'm still hoping Terry Gross, from WHYY in Philadelphia schedules any of the principals from this film on "Fresh Air", an hourlong interview show on National Public Radio. The level of discourse there is frank, but also elevated waaayyy above what I've been seeing lately. If that happens I'll post a notice to that effect.

Cowboy Cody · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 11:00 AM »

Proulxfan - Amen. Charlie Rose and NPR's Fresh Air, give yuh substance, not schlock. I feel badly for these guys sometimes. Some of those interviews have to be torture, because the interviewers want The Enquirer stuff, I don't. I don't think their lives should be made a farce out of and neither should the movie be defined by that type of boundary. I'd like to see either Jake or Heath ask one of them, do you have anything meaningful you'd like to ask? I usually go for the polite low blows.

quentin751 · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 02:14 PM »

Quote from: proulxfan on Feb 02, 2006, 07:26 PM

backtobrokeback,

Outstanding!!! There are so many intriguing questions that this film raises and all anyone in the media seems interested in are the kissing and/or lovemaking scenes and "how did it feel to kiss another guy?" If this topic fascinates people so much, why don't they just go out and try it for themselves?? I feel great empathy for Gyllenhaal and Ledger having to repeatedly deal with these adolescent questions, and I am frustrated that they come at the expense of some of the questions you see being discussed here. ( I should note that the Charlie Rose interview is a laudable exception to these observations.)

well it seems relevant to ask the question i raised. where is the line between acting and real life when it comes to physical interaction?...its not just about "how is it to kiss a guy when ure str8"it goes further since it deals with what u can fake and what u wih you could fake but feel nonetheless...

backtobrokeback · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 02:52 PM »

Sorry, didn't mean to dis your legitimate question - it's just that so rarely is it asked in any but a silly or prurient way. In fact, they've been asked many times (MANY) and they're the only ones who could answer you. What I've heard from them is, "it was hard, but it was a kiss like any other, in the end." I don't doubt that they felt some intimacy in being the two guys who had to do it with a film crew watching, but what are you expecting them to say?

-btb

CherryCake · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 09:13 PM »

I would have thought it would have been easy for these straight actors to do the 'kissing a guy for the first time' scene. It seems the hard part would be acting like you wanted more.

proulxfan · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 06, 2006, 03:48 AM »

Quote from: quentin751 on Feb 05, 2006, 02:14 PM

Quote from: proulxfan on Feb 02, 2006, 07:26 PM
backtobrokeback,

Outstanding!!! There are so many intriguing questions that this film raises and all anyone in the media seems interested in are the kissing and/or lovemaking scenes and "how did it feel to kiss another guy?" If this topic fascinates people so much, why don't they just go out and try it for themselves?? I feel great empathy for Gyllenhaal and Ledger having to repeatedly deal with these adolescent questions, and I am frustrated that they come at the expense of some of the questions you see being discussed here. ( I should note that the Charlie Rose interview is a laudable exception to these observations.)

well it seems relevant to ask the question i raised. where is the line between acting and real life when it comes to physical interaction?...its not just about "how is it to kiss a guy when ure str8"it goes further since it deals with what u can fake and what u wih you could fake but feel nonetheless...

Quentin,
My apologies. You are correct. The way your question is phrased does go deeper than what I was talking about and hearing from the media. From what very little I know about the acting profession, there is not necessarily any bond created when 2 actors do a love scene-their only concern is making their performances look believable, but it is actually better if it has nothing to do with how the actors actually feel about each other. But whether in the context of a scene, does the actor focus on the character with whom he/she is interacting and actually try to experience emotions/feelings for and about that character, that is a much more interesting question.
I don't know whether this clarifies anything for you.

rabjr1 · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 06, 2006, 07:36 AM »

When Dustin Hoffman and Lawrence Olivier were filming the movie "Marathon Man" Lawrence noticed that Dustin was running in place or somesuch thing and asked him why he was doing that. Dustin said he did that to get into the character. Lawrence replied "Why don't you just ACT" or something like that.

quentin751 · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 06, 2006, 07:54 AM »

Quote from: proulxfan on Feb 06, 2006, 03:48 AM

Quote from: quentin751 on Feb 05, 2006, 02:14 PM
Quote from: proulxfan on Feb 02, 2006, 07:26 PM
backtobrokeback,

Outstanding!!! There are so many intriguing questions that this film raises and all anyone in the media seems interested in are the kissing and/or lovemaking scenes and "how did it feel to kiss another guy?" If this topic fascinates people so much, why don't they just go out and try it for themselves?? I feel great empathy for Gyllenhaal and Ledger having to repeatedly deal with these adolescent questions, and I am frustrated that they come at the expense of some of the questions you see being discussed here. ( I should note that the Charlie Rose interview is a laudable exception to these observations.)

well it seems relevant to ask the question i raised. where is the line between acting and real life when it comes to physical interaction?...its not just about "how is it to kiss a guy when ure str8"it goes further since it deals with what u can fake and what u wih you could fake but feel nonetheless...
Quentin,
My apologies. You are correct. The way your question is phrased does go deeper than what I was talking about and hearing from the media. From what very little I know about the acting profession, there is not necessarily any bond created when 2 actors do a love scene-their only concern is making their performances look believable, but it is actually better if it has nothing to do with how the actors actually feel about each other. But whether in the context of a scene, does the actor focus on the character with whom he/she is interacting and actually try to experience emotions/feelings for and about that character, that is a much more interesting question.
I don't know whether this clarifies anything for you.

kind of- im french so even if i understand what uve written iam not sure i got the whole idea.
At the end when u talk about " experience emotion for and about the character" , what do u mean exactly? Do u mean the actor has to reach deep inside to find true emotion? then it would answer my primary question, Jake and Heath had to find some intimacy, bound and kind of really desired each other for a while thats what i would call cross the line, especially (and thta was my second point) if the body actually feel that bound ( kiss, stroke, hug)...sorry if i cant myself be clear.

rabjr1 · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 06, 2006, 08:00 AM »

Maybe there was some kind of electricity going on between Heath and Jake because it comes through on film. Maybe they don't admit it openly but without that special attracton between the two actors you would not have the impact of the film on everyone. And I believe that when the film was going to be finally made the principals involved knew that Heath Leger was perfect for Ennis.

I am also curious if they ever auditioned other actors for the roles?

proulxfan · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 06, 2006, 11:56 PM »

I don't know, I am very uncomfortable with this one. This is probably a question that I would not ask of the actors as I think it somehow demeans their professionalism. That doesn't mean I'm not curious about it, hell I'd be in the front row if they revealed that yeah they got carried away and were really enjoying physically touching, etc. etc,--but then again they have to repeat these scenes up to a dozen times, and so I think it again comes down to being professional, knowing what you want to project and staying focused on that.

rabjr1 · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 12:24 AM »

Quote from: proulxfan on Feb 06, 2006, 11:56 PM

I don't know, I am very uncomfortable with this one. This is probably a question that I would not ask of the actors as I think it somehow demeans their professionalism. That doesn't mean I'm not curious about it, hell I'd be in the front row if they revealed that yeah they got carried away and were really enjoying physically touching, etc. etc,--but then again they have to repeat these scenes up to a dozen times, and so I think it again comes down to being professional, knowing what you want to project and staying focused on that.

I am not implying that there was a sexual attraction between Heath or Jake but they seem to be the right people for the roles. Two different actors might not come through on screen with the same impact. They go together like scotch and soda, gin and tonic, beer and pickled eggs.....scratch that one out.

cybernaut · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 12:27 AM »

That's why Ang Lee is so clever in that. The first few takes will be awkward... maybe getting used to, the middle ones are probably the best ones, then of course the repeated kissing and so on gets a little stale.

I guess I am not too happy with Jake kept defending his sexuality unlike Heath who is married. I know that Jake is afraid he might be stereotyped in future movies but the way he kept talking about himself seems like he is a closetted homo like Tobey Maguire.

garymcd · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 12:36 AM »

i have just finished reading the short story and i think they are hella good actors. their job is to interpert the screenplay and the story, as per the director. i have to say i think all of the actors on this project nailed it. perhaps it is not as i would have liked to have seen it but they did an amazing interpretation!! i hope to receive the screenplay tomarrow so as to dissect their performances even further.
get the book, read the story...

rabjr1 · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 12:37 AM »

Quote from: cybernaut on Feb 07, 2006, 12:27 AM

That's why Ang Lee is so clever in that. The first few takes will be awkward... maybe getting used to, the middle ones are probably the best ones, then of course the repeated kissing and so on gets a little stale.

I guess I am not too happy with Jake kept defending his sexuality unlike Heath who is married. I know that Jake is afraid he might be stereotyped in future movies but the way he kept talking about himself seems like he is a closetted homo like Tobey Maguire.

uuuummmmmm.........you had to mention Tobey Maguire now I have to take a cold shower.

cybernaut · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 12:40 AM »

Quote from: rabjr1 on Feb 07, 2006, 12:37 AM

uuuummmmmm.........you had to mention Tobey Maguire now I have to take a cold shower.

Are you in some reparative therapy??

Both of them have big blue eyes... hmmmm

rabjr1 · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 07, 2006, 07:34 AM »

Quote from: cybernaut on Feb 07, 2006, 12:40 AM

Quote from: rabjr1 on Feb 07, 2006, 12:37 AM
uuuummmmmm.........you had to mention Tobey Maguire now I have to take a cold shower.

Are you in some reparative therapy??

Both of them have big blue eyes... hmmmm

Oh gosh no there isn't a therapist crazy enough to take me on. besides if you have a couple of real good friends you won't need a therapist. Why I tell all my friends they are crazy and I don't charge them a thing.

Forever · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 25, 2012, 09:38 AM »

Quote from: rabjr1 on Feb 06, 2006, 08:00 AM

Maybe there was some kind of electricity going on between Heath and Jake because it comes through on film. Maybe they don't admit it openly but without that special attracton between the two actors you would not have the impact of the film on everyone. And I believe that when the film was going to be finally made the principals involved knew that Heath Leger was perfect for Ennis.

I am also curious if they ever auditioned other actors for the roles?

I tend to agree with that statement, you are not obliged in interviews to reveal everything about your state of mind during filming, Maybe Heath and Jake were very uncomfortable answering questions about the kiss and the love scene, it was nobody business but theirs, Jake said that they were magic things between them, and they became best friends, and he is the godfather of Heath's daughter, it gave us thus a clear image of what were their relationship, esteem and respect!!!

yuddy · « **Reply #24 on:** Apr 09, 2012, 11:43 PM »

Chemistry and attraction between two people without any sexual thoughts are totally possible, speaking from personal experience.

Forever · « **Reply #25 on:** May 14, 2012, 05:55 AM »

Quote from: rabjr1 on Feb 06, 2006, 08:00 AM

Maybe there was some kind of electricity going on between Heath and Jake because it comes through on film. Maybe they don't admit it openly but without that special attracton between the two actors you would not have the impact of the film on everyone. And I believe that when the film was going to be finally made the principals involved knew that Heath Leger was perfect for Ennis.

I am also curious if they ever auditioned other actors for the roles?

I agree with that statement 100% Jake said more than once that he felt very comfortable with Heath! There was some kind of electricity between them or should I say chemistry! That's why Ang Lee chose them!

jackster · « **Reply #26 on:** May 20, 2012, 03:12 AM »

I remember a recorded interview with Heath about this subject (kiss scenes with Jake) where commented (as best I can recall):
"There's a lot worse things I could be doing than kissing Jake Gyllenhaal."
All I can say is, amen to that!

BBMsheep · « **Reply #27 on:** May 20, 2012, 09:46 AM »

Quote from: jackster on May 20, 2012, 03:12 AM

I remember a recorded interview with Heath about this subject (kiss scenes with Jake) where commented (as best I can recall):
"There's a lot worse things I could be doing than kissing Jake Gyllenhaal."
All I can say is, amen to that!

Wow! I didn't know that Heath had said that!

yuddy · « **Reply #28 on:** May 31, 2012, 08:02 AM »

Jake did not talk much about Heath outside the promotion interviews for BBM but I accidentally found this interview of him for Prince of Persia promotion in 2010, and it was very sweet when he was asked which of the Canadian cities he loves the most...he said he made a movie that he was incredibly proud of and met people that meant a lot to him at Calgary. He never actually said brokeback mountain or Heath but I think we all know what he was referring to. I honestly think there was a real chemistry and special bound between them...

You can watch the interview on youtube: