No one thinks in terms of a proscenium arch any more. Most folks go to a movie theater where they don't even bother covering the screen with a curtain - a practice that was anachronistic when it was a thing. The curtain pulling back to reveal the screen was symbolic of the entering into another world, the idea that we were being given a window into somewhere - sometimes far away, or a long time ago, or in a distant future. This was, of course, begun with stage productions, where there was actual scenery behind the curtain, and pulling back the curtain revealed exciting and tantalizing hints about what we were going to witness. The proscenium arch acted as a window frame for this experience, and they became works of art in their own right, like a gilded frame of a beautiful piece of art. Which, upon reflection, they are.
I heard this morning that Alan Rickman had passed. This makes me really sad - sadder than when I'd heard that David Bowie died earlier this week. Because Alan Rickman was a GREAT actor. He made me feel very strong emotions, and that emotional connection is so very vital in acting. Only truly great actors can do this - most are nothing more than entertainers... They are interesting to watch, but there's no actual emotional connection, and this means that there's no investment in the production. It may still be entertaining, but not inspiring or moving. And that's what separates really great art from the mundane.
My first memory of Rickman was in Die Hard. My mother took me to see it at the dollar movie in Provo... It was a really fun film, and Rickman was awesome in it - totally believable as a villain, which was a part he was most often associated with.
This may be one of my favorite scenes that Rickman did. It's from Quigley Down Under, which is a kind of obscure film, but one of my favorites. Rickman is so slimy and slick and just drips with evil... And yet, he can get off an amusing quip - oh, and by the way, you're fired... - it's just so cleverly delivered that it comes off as something the villain would say - not cheesy or forced or awkward, just brilliant.
Then there was this role, the Sheriff of Nottingham, where again Rickman uses his oily, slick evil portrayal of someone who has completely lost all scruples. His psychotic nature is revealed in his eyes as soon as Robin opens the door, and the rage that is consuming him and fueling his hatred toward Robin Hood.
I don't want to gloss over his whimsical roles, like Galaxy Quest. He was a villain there, too, but the whole thing was more of a comic book film, and his character was silly and stereotypical. Rickman, as usual, nailed it.
But this may be my all-time favorite role for Rickman. Of all the actors in the film series, Rickman was the most believable. Forever in my mind, when I think of the Harry Potter books or hear Severus Snape speak as I read the books, Rickman is Snape, and Snape is Rickman. He's not truly as Rowling describes - in the books, Snape is thin and bat-like, while in the films Rickman's character is not that - he's more seductive and subtle in his evil. I think it plays better, honestly, with Rickman. This is my favorite scene:
And this is a close second:
So today, on the day of his passing, I'd like to thank Mr. Rickman for taking me - and so many others - through that proscenium arch, into worlds of darkness and whimsy and so much joy. You'll be missed, sir. God speed.
I really don't know much about acting or the theater arts in general. So it's with all humility that I discuss such things. One thing I have learned is how hard actors work. These men and women train and sweat and concentrate in ways that are almost incomprehensible for the lay person. They get into their roles, giving themselves emotionally to the part.
I heard this morning that Alan Rickman had passed. This makes me really sad - sadder than when I'd heard that David Bowie died earlier this week. Because Alan Rickman was a GREAT actor. He made me feel very strong emotions, and that emotional connection is so very vital in acting. Only truly great actors can do this - most are nothing more than entertainers... They are interesting to watch, but there's no actual emotional connection, and this means that there's no investment in the production. It may still be entertaining, but not inspiring or moving. And that's what separates really great art from the mundane.
My first memory of Rickman was in Die Hard. My mother took me to see it at the dollar movie in Provo... It was a really fun film, and Rickman was awesome in it - totally believable as a villain, which was a part he was most often associated with.
This may be one of my favorite scenes that Rickman did. It's from Quigley Down Under, which is a kind of obscure film, but one of my favorites. Rickman is so slimy and slick and just drips with evil... And yet, he can get off an amusing quip - oh, and by the way, you're fired... - it's just so cleverly delivered that it comes off as something the villain would say - not cheesy or forced or awkward, just brilliant.
Then there was this role, the Sheriff of Nottingham, where again Rickman uses his oily, slick evil portrayal of someone who has completely lost all scruples. His psychotic nature is revealed in his eyes as soon as Robin opens the door, and the rage that is consuming him and fueling his hatred toward Robin Hood.
I don't want to gloss over his whimsical roles, like Galaxy Quest. He was a villain there, too, but the whole thing was more of a comic book film, and his character was silly and stereotypical. Rickman, as usual, nailed it.
But this may be my all-time favorite role for Rickman. Of all the actors in the film series, Rickman was the most believable. Forever in my mind, when I think of the Harry Potter books or hear Severus Snape speak as I read the books, Rickman is Snape, and Snape is Rickman. He's not truly as Rowling describes - in the books, Snape is thin and bat-like, while in the films Rickman's character is not that - he's more seductive and subtle in his evil. I think it plays better, honestly, with Rickman. This is my favorite scene:
And this is a close second:
So today, on the day of his passing, I'd like to thank Mr. Rickman for taking me - and so many others - through that proscenium arch, into worlds of darkness and whimsy and so much joy. You'll be missed, sir. God speed.
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