What stood out most interesting to me was this excerpt:
"Knutton says the satyr masks were among the most effective masks he has ever used in performance as they completely transformed the wearers into misbehaving, chaotic beings, while admitting that this was a double-edged sword, as they were occasionally difficult to control in rehearsal."I do not believe that one can put on a mask and somehow become that character. I think it takes much more for that character to emerge. For one thing you have to do research if your character is historical, and you also have to take time and understand how that mask should both influence your body to move, and also inspire your movements.
A second note of that excerpt I found rather ridiculous was the fact that these actors were "difficult to control in rehearsal." I find that absolutely absurd, these actors should not be behaving like children, they are professionals and they should make so that way.
When I researched Perseus I found it very interesting because I've never looked that far into his life and reading things such as him being the first Mythic Hero of greek mythology and his battles and stories quite intrigued me as well.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/research
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus
I'm not sure I fully agree with you on this. There is an awful lot of psychological research on the use of masks and what they can do to people ("Masks or Faces?: A Study in the Psychology of Acting" by William Archer for instance).
ReplyDeleteSimilar studies have been done on the mob mentality, during which people are absorbed into the group, and suffer what is called deindividuation. If normally well behaved people can be sucked into violent behavior simply by being surrounded by it, then surely it is not so strange to believe that masking yourself (which is just another form of inducing anonymity) can change a person just as much. Basically the human mind is a very strange beast, there are many ways in which it can be altered, and any number of objects/media with which to do it.
I think we'll learn a bit more about exactly how much masks can do come later in the term with our acting class.
http://source.southuniversity.edu/examining-the-mob-mentality-31395.aspx
http://www.archive.org/stream/masksorfacesstud00archuoft#page/n7/mode/2up
I half agree with both of you; previously, I have done a mask workshop, but I never really felt under the influence of the mask. I'm sceptical when it comes to things like that. However, others did get something from the masks. It may be something to do with being more comfortable in the mask or more relaxed, I don't know. What I do know though, is that it's an interesting subject which I look forward to learning more about this term with Nick.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement that you should do historical/background research on your character. But each mask is unique and thus has a completely original historical story behind it - or not even one at all.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do think that actors can be slightly possessed and inspired by a mask. I mean it's almost like being hidden behind a computer screen - there is a bit of animosity to it. And let's be honest - every actor, no matter how professional they are, can act childish at points. I do think that by the comment they were "difficult to control" it could mean that the actors were inspired by the masks they were wearing and were only difficult to control while performing and playing with their role as the satyrs (perhaps forgetting about specific blocking notes).
Good points all around. I agree with Theo in regards to the psychological aspects of it all. I think that like all actors, these people did have to do some research and it would have influenced their performances but I also believe that within reason the claim is understandable. The anonymity of being "one with the mask" and the freedom to tap into something instinctual and primal is a volatile mix. People can get pretty crazy and intense if they feel they are no longer responsible for themselves and in a way the mask offers that luxury.
ReplyDeleteMasks are a very interesting subject. My mother recently graduated from an "Expressive Arts Therapy" program, where they had a class entirely focused on mask work. I don't think that the mask itself has any sort of special power that an actor succumbs to when it's worn. I do think, however, that we automatically associate certain personality traits and characteristics with physical appearances. That being said, it makes sense that someone would see a mask, instantly make a judgement of that "character", and proceed to take on that character. Given that certain archetypal characters are ingrained in our culture, it also makes sense that many of us would assign similar traits to a specific mask.
ReplyDeletePeople do act more drastically and with less restraint when given the option on anonymity (as you've all previously mentioned). We see it all the time on the internet.
In Expressive Arts Therapy, masks can be created by the client and are supposed to reflect a part of their subconscious mind. They improvise a character and focus on channeling that inner character to achieve self-awareness and healing.