Was there ever a role that you had a hard time nailing?

Question

I've had to do extensive research in many of the roles I've been fortunate enough to get. Some I feel I did really well and others I felt I could have done better, looking back on it. Is there a role that you had to do a lot of research and planning and preparation for that you had a particularly hard time with? For those of you who take life too seriously and want to insult the structure of this question please refrain from answering. I'm only trying to create an interesting dialogue among fellow actors; not figure out the meaning of life.

Answer 1

Yes. I was once in a One Act titled "My Sunshine Away" where I had to be a woman with Cerebral Palsy. There are different levels to this disease, of course, so I chose a more mild diagnosis. But nonetheless, it took hours of research and people watching. I even got onto YouTube and watched videos of CP wards at care homes. It tooks weeks to finally get a strong established character. But the hardest part most definately had to be making myself realistic and believable- but not offensive. A character like that is one that can be seen as a mockery very easily, and I did not want anyone to be offended by that part. I had to have her innocence, and in one section, I portrayed her soul, rather than her body. I talked normally and was able to fill myslef with as much emotion as i wanted.

But hard work pays off in the end! I was awarded the Harvey (like the Academy Awards for my school) for best Lead Actress for that role! The hardest roles often time become the most fufilling.

Answer 2

Yes A Lion In Winter......I had to pursue Richard's mother to capture her character....After reading the play I just visualized that I was holding a Private chat with her in that drafty old castle, I asked how could I help her.....To make a long story short I not only got a standing ovation but I was asked by the director if I had ever seen the actual movie , which I hadn't. he then handed me the copy which I took home and watched, I could not believe it but I nailed Katherine Hepburn to a "T" I shocked myself, so finding your character after review of the material depends on how far you decide to make the mental journey.

Answer 3

the role I had the most trouble with was the smallest role I ever had. a boardmember in a brewery that was about to be closed for prohibition and when hearing the chairman of the board say we didn't have to close our company, I had to reply, "What else?" We did take after take all afternoon and I never did do it to the satisfaction of the director. It was most embarassing.