Wednesday, January 23, 2008

It doesn't happen over night...or does it?

One star goes out and falls to the burning ground of reality. Death is inevitable and chooses when to take you. Unfortunately, sometimes you go face down and naked. Such was the fate of a man I admired as an actor. To me, Mr. Ledger could brave the scrutiny and judgement too many actors allow to cripple their careers. But he did not let review stop him from making his next move, even to play a character many of us thought had been mastered, the Joker.
I have not seen the new Batman film, but my senses and previews tell me, it will be a wild ride, and Mr. Ledger's performance will be one for the books. But not the old dusty books of Hollywoods Golden Age, a new book that we are writing today. A "to-be" book that is, at this moment in time, only a zine. In this zine of class acts for the 21st century are the men and women we watch today, and some we have yet to discover, who makes our souls move about as our bodies seem to sit in a chair. After the film or episode, we say, "Wow, that guy's a good actor," or, "She was amazing." It is as simple as that and means so much.
Mr. Ledger was a good actor, and damn good actor. Watch his movies and you'll see why. He could express a persons internal conflict through the flicker of his eye and the twitch of his mouth. His uncanny pain seen of his character Ennis in "Brokeback Mountain" proved that love stories are not for the weak hearted, but must be takes with a rational comprehension of the human complexity that is love, for a woman or a man. Again in "I'm Not There." And finally to fill in the shoes of the Joker could be a disappointment, but would not change his bravery for doing it.
I appreciated his work for the characters he took on. As an actor, I am attracted to portraying, to enveloping the same type of characters. I find it interesting to express the complexity and multiplicity of peoples. And I am saddened that he will not do it again. He was obviously a complex person himself.
Over night, like that, a talent is gone. Though I never met the man, I likes what he could do. I was impressed. So I will hold with me the impression the young actor left for me and everyone on the screen, and use it to better my development as an actor.
His death in real life leaves me with this, Take Care. To all actors, industry workers, and Earthlings, take care. Don't let the multiple layers of you self suffocate you. Roll over, get up, and take on the restless night, and the next day.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Memories Through Windows

A grey world, shaded in blue. My head poking out from under the green. I am scared of the semi dark. I see in the light, knowing that the light cannot see what is in the dark. My mom tells me to imagine the light surrounding me. Safe now. The light is not the same all over. It changes or stands individually but protective. The light proves me strong, composed most powerful the structures of the world. I am new, young, filled with misunderstandings attempting but never been understood. In truth, I lay on bed of darkness, retaining what goes on forever. What keeps me afloat are images of sliced cool cucumbers in the salad my mom made for us at dinning room dinners. The rice held strong, but fell soft. Warm dim light, a candle illuminating wood, production of the soft bulb underneath an old cheerful lamp shade. We all sit, I don’t remember who was always there but feel comfortable in knowing that I loved them all. Or if in kitchen, feeling of her warm embrace transpired into the food of each bite. I embrace now, but the food is not as good, its production is improving. The way my chair was angled, the way one leg is out and one is under the table that hums with a jolt, legs that danced the yellow linoleum of a golden gate weaved. The heat pots steam glass. It’s been so long since steamed glass. So long since embracing cooking. So long since young days. For granted? Obviously not.