litlover12

Just read this great essay by Ronald Neame, director of the film The Horse's Mouth (haven't seen it yet, but hope to soon). He's talking about a conversation he had with Guinness during filming:

". . . May I tell you something that may help you to understand actors?”

“Please,” I replied, “God knows I can do with it.”

What he said next should not be forgotten by anyone who wants to work with actors:

“All so-called normal human beings go through a period when they want to act. This is usually between the ages of ten and fourteen. Little boys play cowboys and Indians; little girls dress up in their mother’s clothes, putting on lipstick. As they mature into adults, ordinary people grow out of this adolescent phase and become doctors or accountants or bankers. But the actor, in the part of his mind that still wants to act, remains no older than fourteen. So, Ronnie, that’s how you must treat me. I need to be praised. I need to be patted on the back. I need to be told I’m good! And the more you encourage me, the better I will perform for you.” As an afterthought he said, “And sometimes, I just need to be smacked.”