I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don’t necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.
John Hurt
Unveiling the Magic: How John Hurt Transformed Scripts into Memorable Performances Every Time Someone Else Might PutJohn Hurt, a famous actor, viewed scripts like exams, aiming to give at least 50% of himself to each role. He believed that true magic happened when actors added their own unique touch to the words on the page, just like a puzzle that can be put together differently by someone else. With dedication and understanding, a script can transform into something truly magical on screen, much like how studying and understanding can turn a tricky subject into your best grade in class.
Table of Contents
- 1 I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don’t necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.
- 2 John Hurt
- 3 Meaning of Quote – I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don’t necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.
- 4 Freely Shareable Quote Image
- 5 Related
Meaning of Quote – I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don’t necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.
Sure thing! Imagine for a moment that you’re sitting down to take an exam. You want to do your best, don’t you? You aim to score at least half of the points, if not way more, because you know that’s a good starting point. This same idea can be used to think about how actors view the roles they take on!
John Hurt, a famous actor with a voice as distinctive as the characters he’s played, once said: “I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don’t necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.”
Now, what exactly does he mean by that? Imagine a scripta bunch of pages filled with lines for actors to say and notes on what the scene should look like. It’s like a blueprint for a yet-to-be-built house. Just as a blueprint doesn’t truly show you how awesome a house will be, a script doesn’t always show you how amazing a movie is going to turn out. What’s written down could be magical, or it could be just… okay. But once actors like John Hurt breathe life into the words, that’s when the movie really takes shape.
When John Hurt talked about marking a script like an exam, he meant that he looks at each role he’s considering very carefullyjust like you’d check each answer on your test. He wants to be sure that he can give at least 50 percent of himself to it, the way you want to be sure you’ve got at least half the answers right. Only he’s not after just a passing grade. Oh no, John Hurt was known for giving everything he had to make sure his performances were memorable, much like a student shooting for that A+.
But why would an actor look at a script like it’s a test? Well, they want to ensure that they can not only play the part convincingly but also bring something special to it. Now, this doesnt just mean they memorize the lines and say them out loud. No, what John Hurt didas all great actors dois dig deeper. He would look for the hidden messages, the subtext, the things that aren’t written down but are part of the character’s personality. Its kind of like doing extra credit on your test; it takes more work, but it makes the whole answeror in his case, the charactershine even brighter.
What’s truly fun to think about is the second part of his quote, where he says that film and roles can change when they go from script to the screen. Ever heard the phrase “the magic of movies”? Well, this is where the magic happens! An actor takes the words from the script and adds their unique touch. Then, there’s the director, the cinematographer, and all the people who work on the set and with special effects. Everyone adds a dash of creativity, so the film that finally plays on the big screen is so much more than what started on those script pages.
Think of it like this: have you ever read a book and then seen the movie based on it? You might have noticed that the characters seem a little different or certain events feel more exciting. That’s because the team making the movie has put their own spin on the story, shaping it into something else that sometimes feels even bigger and more thrilling.
This is what makes actingand any creative work, reallyso special. You begin with something like a puzzle, with all the pieces laid out in front of you. But its up to you to put them together, finding the right fit for each one, adding your personal touch, until the picture is complete. And every time someone else might put the puzzle together a bit differently, thats their unique way of seeing the picture.
John Hurt knew that what makes a character truly jump off the screen and feel real is the heart and soul the actor puts into it. And that kind of dedication doesn’t come from just skimming through the lines with minimal effort. You must tap into the character’s emotions, motivations, and experiencesas if you’re climbing into their skin and living their life for a bit.
Now if we circle back to exams one last time, we can see they’re not just about cramming facts and spitting them back out; theyre about truly understanding the material. In the same way, acting isn’t just about saying lines; it’s about understanding the character you are portraying so well that you bring them to life for the audience. And a great actor will always aim to not just pass this “exam,” but to ace it, delivering a performance that stays with the audience long after the credits roll.
So next time you watch a movie and think about how real the characters seem or how a particular scene just seems to stay with you, it might be helpful to remember what John Hurt said. With enough effort, a script can transform into something truly magical on screen, just like how studying and understanding can turn a tricky subject into your best grade in class. It’s all about aiming high, giving it your all, and enjoying the creativity that’s a part of both acting and learning.
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