The Mike Leigh Methods
The Mike Leigh Methods
Icehouse Life
Stand-by Joined: 10/18/07
#1The Mike Leigh Methods
Posted: 10/18/07 at 5:44pm
Hello, everybody out there! I've been reader of these posts here for a while. Now this is my first post here. I sincerely hope to be a mainstay here...
First off,apologies if this was mentioned a distant time ago. But I'm very fascinated with Mike Leigh's acting methods. I've been a fan of his films and work, which I strongly feel should be replicated more in the acting world be it in theater, TV, and film worlds. Ken Loach, another film director I admire and like, uses this as well in his films, as does Henry Jaglom. It's a style I would like to use (with some variances here and there possibly)that in a microbudget film I would like to do in the next few years set in Montreal, Quebec that is inspired largely by October 1995 Quebec secession referendum vote and that hideous then-Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau's comment about the Yes vote losing because of "money and some ethnic votes" (more on that soon). I envision the film will start with his comments before the opening credits.
I hear a lot of great things about it. I think it could be good for someone who may not have a lot of experience under their belts. What do you guys think about it? Why isn't it replicated much beyond the aforementioned? Is it time consuming for Hollywood and theater productions? Are people threatened by it in every thespian realm and are not used to it? Is it an insult to the traditional audition process? Is it not considered fundamentally sound? Do the people who use get criticized for simply playing themselves? I would think the quality of acting could be better with this. Maybe I'm naive to it. Thanks!
#2re: The Mike Leigh Methods
Posted: 10/18/07 at 8:14pmfirst of all, what the hell is his method? some of us wold lik to know so we can respond...
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
~Cymbeline
Icehouse Life
Stand-by Joined: 10/18/07
#2re: The Mike Leigh Methods
Posted: 10/18/07 at 9:16pm
Here's an overview from an Australian acting class in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia:
http://www.if.com.au/Event/View.aspx?eventid=203
and this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Leigh for a start.
I hope to find more to link.
Icehouse Life
Stand-by Joined: 10/18/07
#3re: The Mike Leigh Methods
Posted: 10/19/07 at 3:40pm
Found this critique excerpt from Boston U's film professor Ray Carney's book on Mike Leigh (who is also a playwright) on his film "The GrownUps". http://people.bu.edu/rcarney/leigh/grownups.shtml
Excellent piece from Berlinale--I think this is the best one out there online explaining how he works with actors:
http://www.berlinale-talentcampus.de/story/90/1590.html
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