Dylan Neal is the first.......

[The One Who Was]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AngelSummers:
Serves to show how hypocratic America makes itself to be when they claim to be the most free country in the world.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL, don't judge America as a country because of some Hollywood "big wigs" decision about Caine, that's like me saying we are indeed the Country with the most freedom because Gene Rodenberry (years before Kung Fu) put an African American Female, an Asian, a Scotsman, etc. all on the bridge of the Enterprise....

Both statements are equally flawed....

Hollywood is not a country, though it fancies itself one, it's their (producers etc.) money making the show and their money that is at risk, they have every right to choose someone they think will make the show bigger and better, even when it's a mistake as I too think Bruce would've been much better in the role....


BTW, Dylan you said, I realise others will say "you're an actor tough s@#$! Embarrassment goes with the career you chose..."

Yep, I would be one of those "others", sorry

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"Faith Manages"

[This message has been edited by The One Who Was (edited November 10, 2001).]

 

[Kribu]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SataiDelenn:
Kribu, I'm like you in that respect. I often seek out films actors I enjoy are in. I love Carrie Fisher, for example, and have seen everything she's done... and there are some stinkers!

But like me, you don't strike me as the sort of person who is going to hold a bad performance or a bad film against that actor.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm like that with Johnny Depp. One of those cases where I don't even find the actor "eye candy" - but I have noticed that I try and watch the things he's in because he's such a good actor, and usually chooses interesting projects. But interesting can also mean risky, so I'm always prepared to not like the film.

There's no way I'd hold someone's past (or present) performance against them if I don't find that particularly great. Everyone has his moments of greatness and moments of not-such-greatness, actors and everyone else alike.

I wouldn't want anyone to remember some of the articles I've written (such as a "masterpiece" about a furniture maker's anniversary....

) in my past... which is part of the reason I'm glad now to be doing work that enables me to remain nameless.

And now I've rambled off topic again. Oops.

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"Narns, Humans, Centauri... we all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time." - G'Kar, Mind War
Kribu's Lounge

 

[bakana]

Personally, I don't think anyone should feel embarassed about past work unless, at that time, they gave less than their best.

If the work was performed to the best of the actor's ability at the time and is less capable than their Current work, it just proves that they are constantly Striving, Learning and Improving.
A GOOD thing, IMO.

Yes, when Kung Fu was originally cast, it would have been the First time any TV show had been cast with a lead who wasn't a WASP if they had given it to Bruce Lee.
The Network honchos were too prejudiced and too cowardly.
For most of TV, they still are.


BTW, Trek didn't cast a Scotsman.
Doohan doesn't REALLY talk like that any more than "Checkov" was a real Russian.
Now if they'd had the courage to go find REAL Scottish & Russian actors for the roles...



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The 3 most common elements in the Universe:
Hydrogen, Greed, Stupidity!

 

[AngelSummers]

Sorry about the comment about America.

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May the light of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha protect you.

May you all be well and happy, free from suffering, free from sickness.

 

[B5_Obsessed]

I'm sorry if I opened up a can of worms on this - even if the list was concurrently posted by Antony in its entirety.

Sorry Dylan. I see that you're not pleased with that particular appearance being highlighted, but that's probably the norm. If you go over the list, there's no Emmy winning stuff out there. In a way, it's a sad reminder of the inability of some of our favorite actors to get good roles. I would say the most successful actor out of the bunch has been Andreas Katsulas, with movie appearances in "The Fugitive" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" really standing out.

But go to Peter Jurasik, who some consider to be the best actor in Babylon 5 (or at least tied with Andreas); in my opinion, he's NEVER had a role as good as Londo Mollari, before or since.

When B5 ended, Peter knew, as did Bruce Boxleitner, that an era was ending for them. After being allowed to act their butts off for 5 years, they were going back to the standard smattering of shit roles on television.

Hell, B5 fans are all excited because Pat Tallman and Mira Furlan are on two separate episodes of "Sheena" this month.

It's a waste of talent, I say.





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By Grabthar's Hammer!
By the Suns of Worvan!
You Shall BE AVENGED!
~Doctor Lazarus, Galaxy Quest episode 52, "Today is the Tomorrow of Our Yesterdays"

 

[Jomar]

The information is out there for anyone to find who has the time and inclination to search for it. The Zocalo posts the information every week about all the B5 and Crusade cast and some of their past work must make them shudder. Boxleitner started as a teenager on How the West was Won back in the 70's,and several others have been around for more than 20 years. The information is going to be posted whether it is on B5LR or not. Just last week I was watching an episode of MacGyver (mid 80's) and saw Peter Jurasik as the guest star. I never would have recognized him.

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I always seem to be diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

 

[drakh]

Of course, if any of the cast want to draw attention from embarrassing older work, the can always distract us with frequent and detailed reports of their current doings

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You are not entitled to your own opinion. You are only entitled to your own informed opinion.
-- Harlan Ellison quoting Gustave Flaubert

drakh@spamcop.net

 

[Dylan Neal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Of course, if any of the cast want to draw attention from embarrassing older work, the can always distract us with frequent and detailed reports of their current doings <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah... unfortunately that would only contribute to my growing list of embarrassing CURRENT work...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>They're not SF fans, but they'll assume that something you did back in '92 is going to probably be worse than something you did ten years later. Most of the world is going to assume that.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL!!! I make no promises....

The only thing I can guarantee is that there is going to be some vivid dissection on these boards come January 20th (who the hell am I kidding, it's going to start during the first commercial break on the 19th, hee, hee). And you know what, I'm looking forward to it. Let me have it is all I can say! Besides, it's amazing how well criticism goes with a very tall glass of gin and tonic.

Cheers,

Dylan

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[A_M_Swallow]

The real fun stuff will be posted on the 21st.

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Andrew Swallow

 

[channe]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR> Let me have it is all I can say! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I paid $40,000 for my stellar skills in literary analysis. You have my unconditional assurance that there will be a review from me soon after Rangers' first airing.

Theme, trope, scheme, rhythm - ho!

We're not expecting anything but to be entertained and challenged by the newest happenings in the universe we've grown to love. You look (and sound) like you're going to kick some serious Amoeba (enemy renamed to protect possible spoilage) hindmost. And we certainly hope that Rangers isn't on your list of "Embarrassing Current Work." Oh, well - we will like you anyway. We're B5 fans.

However, due to the fact that most of us are dutiful fans... break out the gin and tonic!

*wide grin*

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The writer's life is not meant to be a happy one. We all accept that going in. -JMS

[This message has been edited by channe (edited November 12, 2001).]

 

[The Juche Warrior]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dylan Neal:
Besides, it's amazing how well criticism goes with a very tall glass of gin and tonic.

Cheers,

Dylan

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah, my boy. Now you are speaking MY language. Though I must say that Gin and myself are no longer on speaking terms. But that, as they say, is a story for another time..........

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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work.

Thomas A. Edison

[This message has been edited by The Juche Warrior (edited November 12, 2001).]

 

[Capt. Neville]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by channe:
However, due to the fact that most of us are dutiful fans... break out the gin and tonic!

*wide grin*

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

{looks up from munching on the remains tore from his opinions of Enterprise, waiting anxiously for the moment B5LR airs so he can pounce. Like a cat, but taller and with less muscle and coordination}

{VEG}
--mcn

 

[channe]

Dylan -

I saw the B5LR ad tonight. So far, so good. Featured you prominently. Talking about living for the one, dying for the one, and other ways Rangers die (or don't, as the case may be).

So far, it doesn't look *that* embarrassing!

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The writer's life is not meant to be a happy one. We all accept that going in. -JMS

 

[bakana]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR> (who the hell am I kidding, it's going to start during the first commercial break on the 19th, hee, hee). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Only the Trekiots who tuned in so they could have someting negative to say will be posting during the commercials.

The rest of us will be too aware that we might Miss something if we don't pay close attention.
Trying to finish up a post During the commercials will almost certainly cause you to miss the beginning of the next segment.
Not something any of US wants to risk.

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The 3 most common elements in the Universe:
Hydrogen, Greed, Stupidity!

 

[Zoriah]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bakana:

BTW, Trek didn't cast a Scotsman.
Doohan doesn't REALLY talk like that any more than "Checkov" was a real Russian.
Now if they'd had the courage to go find REAL Scottish & Russian actors for the roles...

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just going off on a little tangent... but being an actor myself I have to say that casting one's true ethnicity while preferable should NOT be seen as BETTER.

It annoys the heck out of me that some TV and film bigwigs seem to think that getting a real irishman might be better than getting a good actor who can play an irishman.

I am half asian and the amount of roles out there for an amer-asian in NZ are miniscule. Strangely enough my most recent shortlisted roles were playing russian and english characters (I'm good with accents). However both times the producers went for the real deal, and both times they cast what I would call a 'non-actor', who did not carry the roles well enough to justify the casting (I'm not saying i would ahve been better but the lack of 'craft' in those who scored the roles was cringable). TV and film are meant to be more realistic than theatre, they are more intimate, more exposing. However, I do not believe that 'realistic' casting is the way to go.

Ethnicity does not guarantee that the person is right for the job. Obviously this is a personal peeve of mine since it's hard for me to find a niche but... SURELY the role of an actor is to act, to make believe and to create a persona. If one has done the research and is proficient enough, one should be able to play outside one's own ethnicity.

That's why I say it shouldn't be better or braver to cast real russians or scottish people - if the actor can act.... let her!

Anyway, what makes a good minbari? Or a narn? We can't cast their ethnicity's as they don't really exist, but we can look for people that can portray the essence of what we are looking for. Would Susan Ivanova have been any more interesting or daring if played by a real russian? I hope producers and directors cast who they think will best play the role, regardless of their true heritage.

Eek, Sataidelenn looks like I took up the soapbox this time hehe.



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[channe]

In the last show I was involved in producing, a comedic musical taking place in England, there were five major roles, all of them meant for Caucasian, British-Anglo types (duh).

However, we went for race-blind casting, and ended up with two sisters (one blonde haired, one Asian), two brothers (one blonde haired, blue eyed, and generally Germanic, the other Caucasian, with a nearly-Hispanic complexion.)

I think that in theater, it's a lot easier to engage in race-blind casting, as when a person enters a theater he or she is expecting to put reality on hold. However, for a lot of "realistic" TV shows, people expect to see Asians playing Asians (you can usually get away with a German with a good accent playing an Irishman, though...).

That's why I like the theater. Anything's possible with a wierd enough mind.

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The writer's life is not meant to be a happy one. We all accept that going in. -JMS

 

[Kribu]

OK, I have a really dumb question but I've been wondering about this for a while:

Why is Caucasian used as the word referring to a white person? (It is, yes?)

I'm just asking because I've always associated Caucasians with - duh - people from the Caucasus region, i.e. (the rather dark-complexioned) Armenians, Georgians, Chechens etc etc.

And I've noticed some of the local translators here making this mistake... translating an US TV show or something (it's used a lot on cop shows) and writing <word for a person from the Caucasus region> instead of just saying "white" or something like that, and of course this looks incredibly stupid on screen.

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"Narns, Humans, Centauri... we all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time." - G'Kar, Mind War
Kribu's Lounge

 

[channe]

Caucasian, I suppose, is just used to refer to white people because everybody else has a cooler designation than us. At least, in America.

I've grown up with it, so I use it offhandedly. For example:

3. State your race:
() Caucasian
() African-American
() Hispanic
() Asian-American

etc., etc.

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The writer's life is not meant to be a happy one. We all accept that going in. -JMS

 

[Zoriah]

Yes, Channe I agree the theatre is much more open to creative casting.

As far as TV and film goes I was referring to casting actors who can look and sound a certain ethnicity without actually being that ethnicity. Obviously casting an asian would require a certain look but if you need someone thai, you could get away with an indonesian or philippino etc. I have an italian actor friend who was up for a jewish role, and I know he could play the role convincingly. Many caucasian actors should be able to play several nationalities, look at Meryl Streep, she's played a holocaust survivor and several south africans...

Actors train to be able to play other people and portray backgrounds often very different from their own. We don't go around casting lunatics or sociopaths to get realism *grins*.

Of course if someone is of the right ethnicity AND a damn fine actor...all the better.

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