Inside the Actors Studio

How does it feel, when one thing is expected and something completely different shows up at your doorstep. Oh! yeh that’s right Oh comes out. Oh which lacks in the enthusiasm Oh which transpires into repentance but at the same time one does not want to sound ungrateful thus the unexpected arrival is taken in stride with some level of grace.

Inside the Actors Studio showed up on TV as I was surfing channels, I would have never stopped on this particular show, somehow this time I could not help myself but to stop there in absolute awe. The show was hosted by James Lipton and the guest was actress Laura Linney. The show has a simple format of one-on-one interview or conversation with showbiz celebrities, with well-researched details of guest's life. I saw that actors ceased being stars for a while and become artists and teachers for the audience and the millions who watched the show from their TV sets. The studio audience consisted of students of drama and film making. These students were literally taking notes of whatever the actress discussed about her acting style and career. I was amazed at how serious acting as a subject and craft is considered in other parts of the world; the mind gets bewildered at what technique and methods are applied in acting, something we believe as being merely a 2 hour compilation of songs, dance and few acting-like moments. It does not sound a like big deal. But when you see that actors are beyond the glamorous award functions, million buck film deals and scandals; it definitely brings genuine respect for their craft.

Laura who worked with Clint Eastwood under his direction said that he never shouts Action or Cut before or after the scene, he simply comes to the actors ask them how they feel about the scene, if both he and the actor think they did it right and all goes well then he would politely tell the cameraman to start rolling for the next shot.

Springtide with all its warmth and splendour has finally approached Karachi; wherever the gaze extend vistas are enveloped in brilliant flowers and shrubs are burgeoning into trees with magnificence.

With the hope that this spring brings the same splendour in the lives of all.

With love…………

Sonya. (Day 46)