Comments on: More Acting http://www.sumption.org/2005/01/10/more-acting/ A small selection of the many things that have happened to Dan Sumption, his family, friends and colleagues Fri, 5 Dec 2008 01:53:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Dan http://www.sumption.org/2005/01/10/more-acting/#comment-358 Dan Tue, 11 Jan 2005 08:39:55 +0000 http://www.sumption.org/wordpress/?p=956#comment-358 Thanks for the comment - always interested to know what this looks like to an "outsider" (i.e. somebody outside my body). Personally, I find myself cringing when I look back at the tapes (although that "hands" clip is one of the least cringeworthy parts). I do recognise good bits - I think I have the facial expressions more or less worked out, and sometimes my body movements are good as well although I seemed to be moving about far more than necessary for a lot of the play. And my voice... I don't think it suited the part, I could do with lowering it about and octave, there's something a bit squeaky about it which I don't think was authoritative enough. I don't think this is just a "not liking the sound of one's own voice" thing, although there's perhaps an element of that, it just didn't sound "in character" enough. And, yes, I do know what you mean. A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat. I hadn't thought of that sketch, although we used to act it out quite a bit when I was younger ("your wife interested in... _photography_ ... is she?") Funnily enough, last night I was reading the next play I'll be in, and I realised that the character I'll play is quite like another python - more specifically, he shares a lot of traits with Basil Fawlty. Now that really _will_ be fun to do. Thanks for the comment - always interested to know what this looks like to an “outsider” (i.e. somebody outside my body). Personally, I find myself cringing when I look back at the tapes (although that “hands” clip is one of the least cringeworthy parts). I do recognise good bits - I think I have the facial expressions more or less worked out, and sometimes my body movements are good as well although I seemed to be moving about far more than necessary for a lot of the play. And my voice… I don’t think it suited the part, I could do with lowering it about and octave, there’s something a bit squeaky about it which I don’t think was authoritative enough. I don’t think this is just a “not liking the sound of one’s own voice” thing, although there’s perhaps an element of that, it just didn’t sound “in character” enough.

And, yes, I do know what you mean. A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat. I hadn’t thought of that sketch, although we used to act it out quite a bit when I was younger (”your wife interested in… _photography_ … is she?”)

Funnily enough, last night I was reading the next play I’ll be in, and I realised that the character I’ll play is quite like another python - more specifically, he shares a lot of traits with Basil Fawlty. Now that really _will_ be fun to do.

]]> By: guy http://www.sumption.org/2005/01/10/more-acting/#comment-357 guy Tue, 11 Jan 2005 05:05:48 +0000 http://www.sumption.org/wordpress/?p=956#comment-357 Hummm... it's really weird to see you like this, Dan. I got to view the Hands clip a few times before I could adjust my mind to not seeing you in a "regular" environment. Like in a bar or restaurant, or in front of a PC... Weird. But wonderful too. There's a few details in how you deal with your posture and facial expressions which make me think "Dan's gonna be a good actor". On the other hand, the first thing which sprung to my mind was Monty Python's "Nudge nudge" sketch. <a href="http://www.jumpstation.ca/recroom/comedy/python/nudge.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.jumpstation.ca/recroom/comedy/python/nudge.html</a> Scroll down to the picture, and flip it horizontally. Know whatahmean, nudge nudge? Hummm… it’s really weird to see you like this, Dan.
I got to view the Hands clip a few times before I could adjust my mind to not seeing you in a “regular” environment. Like in a bar or restaurant, or in front of a PC… Weird.

But wonderful too.
There’s a few details in how you deal with your posture and facial expressions which make me think “Dan’s gonna be a good actor”.

On the other hand, the first thing which sprung to my mind was Monty Python’s “Nudge nudge” sketch.

http://www.jumpstation.ca/recroom/comedy/python/nudge.html

Scroll down to the picture, and flip it horizontally. Know whatahmean, nudge nudge?

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