Nate's Blog #1

I might as well kick this experiment into getting my thoughts on acting (and the art form of film in general) off

talking about something spooky, or whatever. After all, Halloween is coming up very soon, and I just so happened to have watched the 1982 version of, "Poltergeist," only a few days ago. I highly recommend it, friends.

Now, something that consistently stuck out to me while I was watching this horror movie was the dialogue between characters. There are some great moments in which a character is speaking conversationally, while the circumstances of the movie's plot are obviously weighing in on a character. It's almost like a dark inside joke between the audience and the characters affected by the titular antagonistic presence when some tongue in cheek response is given to a character that is unaware of something supernatural going on. I'm trying not to give any direct quotes, or explain anything that happens, so just go watch it (I'm talking the 1982 version here), and look for your own take on what I'm getting at.

What I love so much about the dialogue, is that it seems like it was very helpful for the actors. Sort of had me thinking about what it means as an actor when you are presented with bad writing vs good writing, you know? What extra challenges are present (if any) when a script is not all that strong, or is downright horrible? Are there any unnecessary difficulties present in a bad script for the actor, that are not present in a good one? Are there deeper challenges one gets to look for in a character that are present in a well-written script that aren't there when characters or premises aren't written well?

(more later. gotta go for now)