The Personal, Physical, and Emotional Torture of The Modern Day Lead Actor
I’m going with a slightly different slant today. The Hollywood Reporter these days is doing what they call their “Emmy Roundtables.†Recently, they got together for a group discussion Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Laurence Fishburne (CSI), Denis Leary (Rescue Me), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), and Bill Paxton (Big Love).
So, what does this have to do with Supernatural? The insights these lead TV actors share about series work in this segment is fascinating and mirrors an awful lot of what Jared and Jensen say on a regular basis. Series work is grueling, and given the changing character dynamics these days, it’s getting harder.
In watching these clips, I came away with a reminder and deep appreciation for the big sacrifices and hours of dedication that lead actors must give to their shows in order to succeed. This discussion especially has a fascinating topical discussion on how their characters are multi-dimensional and not the most likeable guys on TV. Their characters are dark and complex, often morally ambiguous, and it opens up worlds of new acting challenges for them. Here’s a fantastic quote from Simon Baker about playing his character on The Mentalist:
“But there’s no way in the world I was going to sign on to a deal where the character was just one-dimension. Doing five seasons in a row, you’ve got to play a character that’s got a wrongness about him. There has to be some sort of issue and struggle for the character.â€
Sound like a particular pair of Winchesters we know? Especially Sam, who ended up doing the wrong things for perceived right reasons. It’s good to see our show is following a trend and in line with the more acclaimed shows on television.
Here’s an even better quote from Bryan Cranston on how cable has affected what we see on network television:
THR: Do you think it’s possible to really go to those dark places and flesh things out in the network context?
Cranston: They have to. They have to do what they’re doing now, because cable — with HBO leading the way years ago — changed the whole frontier. Look at Thomas Magnum (of “Magnum, P.I.”). Always did the right thing, always got the girl — the nice guy, never drank too much. Higgins was the role! (Laughter)
As a big fan of Magnum PI I concur, those days are gone. After getting to know shows like Supernatural though, I don’t miss it one bit.
Finally, here’s the kicker from Simon Baker. Of all the panelists, he’s the one that easily has the toughest work schedule. His perspective is dead on.
The challenge I often find is, I’m on a procedural show, but how do you balance the notion of character? You guys live in the world of character; that’s it. And you’ve got license and room to go with your character and find certain depths. (Whereas), networks are running scared. We want to do that, but we don’t want to offend the Christian right; we don’t want to offend these people. The biggest struggle I find (is) my show is 22 (episodes) a year. It’s personal, physical, emotional torture. There’s a reason why it’s 22, because the body won’t take 23.
The link below has the transcript and the videos. I highly recommend watching the videos, for the camaraderie between these actors is entertaining and the transcripts got a few of their statements wrong, as well as its missing some things. While watching, think of all that personal, physical and emotional torture Jensen and Jared do as well, and be grateful that they put so much into making their roles and their show succeed as much as these guys do.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i1dc51bcd151aa706f7abae13b5c853d3?pn=1
Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
You know, one of the things that the bonus features on DVDs has given me is an appreciation and understanding for what many actors do to bring us the shows and movies that we enjoy so much.
It also make me appreciate what they give to us when they agree to attend the conventions.
Many of the stars we admire so much do not live a soft and glamorous lifestyle. They work very, very hard.
Thanks for posting this Alice
Oh, this was great. Thanks for this 🙂
It had always humbled me to know how much these guys work, (just the hours alone!!) but the emotional toll it must take (esp. in the beginning when they are fleshing out the characters and finding their footing). I could never be an actor (no talent *grin*) but I have nothing but respect for them, especially when they can provoke so much emotion out of you, they can make you care so deeply, you can’t basically sleep… And then you think “this is a tv show for gods sake, these are fictional characters (thank you chuck *glee*)” but still it doesn’t matter, ’cause the emotion is real and it gets to you.. I know it gets to me every time. That’s what a god movie or a tv show does.
It’s an odd thing, but before Supernatural I never really thought of what went into a show. I now have a real appreciation for the work the actors and others put in. I’m a teacher, and I know people don’t get why we need so many vacations, but if you lived my profession you’d understand. I think by watching SPN I see the actors more as regular workers. And I really like that ( not that I’ve ever been one to get caught up on the whole “star” thing).
Well BOO HOO! Not like the rest of the world doesn’t work hours as long or longer and for a heck of a lot less money. My cousin is working 70 hours a week average and 80 when she can get it in 3 part time jobs just to put food on the table – a table in a trailer park. She is a single mother with 3 girls and an ex who won’t pay child support
But you don’t have to be in bad straits to work the long hours i and my colleagues routinely put in a 50 hour work week min and often 80. WHy? because our company is riffing every three months to send our work to China and India or import foreign workers to the US to do our job and we are terrified that we are next on the cut list
Jared knows knows his life is no worse than other people – he was complaining to his brother about his 16 hour day and his brother came back and told him about his 24 hour day in the hospital
So they work long hours – well good for them – as series leads I am sure they get paid well too. Welcome to the real world, I’ve got no sympathy for what is a normal state for many Americans, the 40 hour work week is long gone
Actually, in defense of the writers, they don’t get paid for anything shown on the internet. The studios call all of that “promotional” and the writers don’t see a dime. Many writers are much like Zazriel’s cousin – working very long hour just to get food on the table.
I learned a lot about it by reading posts on Denis McGrath’s blog during the strike. And Terry Rosio and Ted Elliot’s (they are the writer of the Pirates movies) posts on their site Word Player.
So for the first time I understood what was at stake and actually agreed with their decision to strike. We as outsiders have a tendency to confuses the 1% of big money earners with 99% of regular working stiffs.
At the same time, I really appreciate the effort the folks at Supernatural (crew and cast alike) put into making the show, just like I appreciate the effort anyone puts into their job or art or whatever.
I think it’s a great reminder that just because these guys do a job that makes them highly visible, they are just regular folk doing a job and we should stop putting them on these huge pedestals – there are lots of examples to show that it never ends well.
So while I will concede that Zazriel has a valid point, it doesn’t diminish my admiration for the hard work put into making this show.