Religious Actors — Page 3

I consider myself to be a fairly religious person, as a Christian actor, and I have a firm belief in God, and I am very much intrigued by anything and everyting supernatural, as well. Now, as far as how that pertains to my profession. I feel that 'acting' is just that ... 'acting' -- It's been covered in previous posts, so I don't feel the need to repeat it. I feel that whenever a role comes along where I feel even the least bit uncomfortable (i.e.: physical confrontation(s), constant swearing, etc.) I'll let it be known that I feel a tad bit uncomfortable with it (from the get-go), study the scene, and try to make it as COMFORTABLE as possible. I stray away from swearing (unless it's a song lyric, of course). If there's a way around it, I usually ad-lib or implement something in its place. I feel that God is proud of us all...

Best,
- Mike

freeadmission, I still don't understand what isn't hypocritcal about excusing foul language but not excusing playing a promiscuous character. After all, playing a promiscuous character means you don't even have to go BE promiscuous, while foul language in the text is foul language in the text.

"Personally, I think the world would be a better place if EVERYONE was an atheist. "
Fosse, you do realize that comment is as obnoxious, intolerant, and pretentious as an evangelical Christian shoving his/her views in the world's face saying the world would be better if we were all Christian. Overzealous atheism is no less annoying than overzealous Christianity or Judaism or whatever religion gets you worked up to a rage.

That being said, I hear you on most of your points (though I'd echo with considerably less bitterness).

"And if you really think actors can seperate themselves so easily, I'd talk to the countless actors who've fallen in love with co-stars."
I'm sorry, but that's downright unprofessional. If your a professional actor, you need to learn to separate life from art, or you're truly just in a profession that is quite honestly awful for your mental and emotional health. It may happen to beginners and amatuers, but a professional needs to be able to separate the two.

"Now before another rediculous sarcastic comment is hurled, I don't think that actors think they ARE their characters. But there are plenty of people who take some of their work home with them."
Julianne Moore came to speak to us at my school today, and as she said..."that's bull****." Taking your work home with you in the sense of working on your character and trying to deepen your understanding of her is one thing, but to take the actual feelings or situations a character that a person (like this example you mentioned of falling in love with a co-star) is working on home with them is, again, unprofessional. If this profession is going to **** with someone that much, he/she probably shouldn't be an actor.

"God commands modesty in Christian women, partially, because (generally speaking) men desire and women want to be desired."
I'm not sure I see the really what's sinful about a harmless natural attraction.

Not to mention, not all nudity is necessarily sexual, and not all characters who are promiscuous are going to attract that sort of response from men. And it depends on how it's dealt with in the play or film. You can't just write it all off.

Woah, woah, nobody was putting down how somebody got to where they need to be emotionally on stage (Just so Ms. Moore isn't misrepresented she SAID you get to where you need to be in whatever way works for you), and I never said that two people playing love interests NEVER could fall in love with their opposite. It's when people are falling in love with the other person because they can't separate their own lives and the other people's lives that it becomes a serious problem. It's when people don't know how to leave their work at the theatre the way they need to leave their life at the door when they walk into work. Not being able to separate your work from your life (which was the statement of yours I was commenting on) is unprofessional and just unhealthy.

The world will say that lust is okay, as long as you don't do anything as a result of it, but Matthew tells us that if a man lusts after a woman, he has already committed adultery in his heart. Parading oneself on stage as a prostitute (or whatever) even if the intent, depiction, consequences, and context are all lined up nearly, is just not something Christian women should do. It is looking out for her brothers.

I understand what you are saying here. I don't agree, but I understand your view. Do you also think Christian men should be modest to protect their sisters from lustful thoughts? I think women have just as many lustful thoughts as men. I also think if a man (or woman) cannot control his or her thoughts or actions it's his/her problem, not mine.

Well, Freeadmission, maybe your life and the theatre you are involved with is a sewer of filth, but mine is certainly not.

I don't need others (including leaders of any faith) to tell me what is good and what is not--I can figure that out for myself. I suspect Christians have the same capacity. If I ever have to do a role that makes me uncomfortable I figure out why it makes me uncomfortable and then whether I want to do it. I was once offered a stereotypical gay role that I found very offensive. I suggested ways to play it that would turn that around and make the character stronger and not just a joke--the director didn't like them and I refused the role. I don't regret it. Had the situation been different and the stereotypical charater was given some dignity I may have reconsidered. We all have to make decisions--and I find the whole idea of Jesus or God telling us what to do a little fishy because in all my years of praying no voice ever told me what to do.

---

"Now before another rediculous sarcastic comment is hurled, I don't think that actors think they ARE their characters. But there are plenty of people who take some of their work home with them."

Julianne Moore came to speak to us at my school today, and as she said..."that's bull****." Taking your work home with you in the sense of working on your character and trying to deepen your understanding of her is one thing, but to take the actual feelings or situations a character that a person (like this example you mentioned of falling in love with a co-star) is working on home with them is, again, unprofessional. If this profession is going to **** with someone that much, he/she probably shouldn't be an actor.

JULIANNE MOORE SAID THIS? The one who did The Myth of Fingerprints? The one who's married to Bart Freundlich? The one who fell for Bart Freundlich when HE WAS THE WRITER AND HER DIRECTOR on The Myth of Fingerprints? Is she kidding?

an actor ACTS. that is his/her job. it has nothing to do with religion or anything else . you are depicting ways of life. not living one. I once knew someone who didn't take a role because it went against her religious beliefs. that was ridiculous. A TRUE actor TRANSFORMS and becomes other roles and should be open to anything and everything. That is how you learn and grow as a performer..and you should leave religion and personal beliefs aside.

evadiva is too lazy to read all of these long posts at this time (I will be back), but I will add this before I do:

Stories, fiction or non, enlighten. We can learn so much from an accurate and authentic portrayal of the most heinous character. Theatre enables us to understand the human spirit on a deeper level. And to spread messages.

Actors give information to the audience by bring it to life. And I believe God wants us to be informed.

Everyone's place in the world is important. God gave you the desire and the gift to perform.

Go with it.

Agreed, but where does that come from? You know that sense that "something is wrong" just before something bad happens. Where does that come from? What is that? I think it's God speaking.

Danielm,

You seem offended by my post. For that I apologize. I actually wasn't intending to sound smug at all. If I were speaking directly to you, you wouldn't have gotten that at all. I was being facetious. Don't take it literally.

I'm Catholic. I dont go to church every Sunday, but I do believe in God and pray. Doesn't mean I believe in religion.

Now, I'm 15, so I haven't exactly had to do any sex scenes or anything with a lot of smoking and cursing! However, I don't think there's any problem with acting, even if it involves vices. You're entertaining people, you're making them happy. Isn't that a great thing? It's a great thing to be able to do for your life or living. Just because you play the part of a paedo or a drunk doesn't mean you are one. If anything, you're exploring the mindset of such a person, which can actually help you learn more about yourself and make you a better person. just my opinion.

I know that seemed complete BS, but I mean it.

---