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High-definition TV is the nemesis of every actor of a certain age High-definition TV is the nemesis of every actor of a certain age
(7 months later)
Dame Maggie Smith's recent admission that she never watches herself on the telly may come as a shock to people out in the real world, but it merely confirms what actors have known to be best practice for many years. Watching yourself perform on television is the most exquisite torture any actor can suffer, and the business is tough enough already without adding yet more despair and humiliation to our lot.Dame Maggie Smith's recent admission that she never watches herself on the telly may come as a shock to people out in the real world, but it merely confirms what actors have known to be best practice for many years. Watching yourself perform on television is the most exquisite torture any actor can suffer, and the business is tough enough already without adding yet more despair and humiliation to our lot.
The trouble, as Smith will testify, is that the reality of our skill and craft rarely matches our fantasy. We all like to think of ourselves as having the technique of Laurence Olivier, the methodology of Marlon Brando and the timing of, well, Maggie Smith. But of course once you see yourself back, you realise it's not like that. Not even, apparently, for Maggie Smith.The trouble, as Smith will testify, is that the reality of our skill and craft rarely matches our fantasy. We all like to think of ourselves as having the technique of Laurence Olivier, the methodology of Marlon Brando and the timing of, well, Maggie Smith. But of course once you see yourself back, you realise it's not like that. Not even, apparently, for Maggie Smith.
And even if we do manage to nail the elusive perfect take, our destiny is not our own. Actors will normally be required to offer up several variants of the same scene. Some takes we may like, others we may not. The trouble is, our favourite may not be the example the director uses in the final edit.And even if we do manage to nail the elusive perfect take, our destiny is not our own. Actors will normally be required to offer up several variants of the same scene. Some takes we may like, others we may not. The trouble is, our favourite may not be the example the director uses in the final edit.
Yet in truth, the more profound issue for actors looking at themselves on the screen is of having to confront their appearance. We have to deceive ourselves about our age and looks on a daily basis in order to continue the unequal struggle, and it becomes impossible to sustain once the truth is there in front of us. I recall years ago an actress of the sort who specialises in elderly dowagers, saying to me during rehearsals for a TV drama: "Of course, the part I would really like to have played would have been Cleopatra … but I suppose I might be too old now."Yet in truth, the more profound issue for actors looking at themselves on the screen is of having to confront their appearance. We have to deceive ourselves about our age and looks on a daily basis in order to continue the unequal struggle, and it becomes impossible to sustain once the truth is there in front of us. I recall years ago an actress of the sort who specialises in elderly dowagers, saying to me during rehearsals for a TV drama: "Of course, the part I would really like to have played would have been Cleopatra … but I suppose I might be too old now."
This last, wistful phrase spoke volumes. She actually looked less like Cleopatra and more like the fall of the Roman empire, yet the fact she was still even clinging on to a shred of hope of one day playing the role was as heartbreaking as it was revelatory. Once you see yourself on the box, all such fancies must end. The truth is there in brutal, 32-inch clarity.This last, wistful phrase spoke volumes. She actually looked less like Cleopatra and more like the fall of the Roman empire, yet the fact she was still even clinging on to a shred of hope of one day playing the role was as heartbreaking as it was revelatory. Once you see yourself on the box, all such fancies must end. The truth is there in brutal, 32-inch clarity.
Which brings me to actor's greatest modern nemesis. I speak, of course, of HD. High-definition television, to give it its butter wouldn't melt in its mouth moniker) may be a boon for the viewer, but it's the final nail in our coffin. Nowadays every single blot and blemish is available for all to see in withering clarity. Anyone with dodgy veneers, ancient fillings or a yellowing tongue can expect to have their most intimate oral blemishes splattered over the nation's sitting rooms in eye-watering detail. If HD were a person it would have been arraigned for press intrusion and emotional cruelty long ago.Which brings me to actor's greatest modern nemesis. I speak, of course, of HD. High-definition television, to give it its butter wouldn't melt in its mouth moniker) may be a boon for the viewer, but it's the final nail in our coffin. Nowadays every single blot and blemish is available for all to see in withering clarity. Anyone with dodgy veneers, ancient fillings or a yellowing tongue can expect to have their most intimate oral blemishes splattered over the nation's sitting rooms in eye-watering detail. If HD were a person it would have been arraigned for press intrusion and emotional cruelty long ago.
Indeed, so bad has it become that one leading soap actress of my acquaintance recently admitted to me that she never watches herself on HD. "If I did I'd no longer be able to act", she explained ruefully. "I'd either have to contemplate a head transplant or suicide."Indeed, so bad has it become that one leading soap actress of my acquaintance recently admitted to me that she never watches herself on HD. "If I did I'd no longer be able to act", she explained ruefully. "I'd either have to contemplate a head transplant or suicide."
It's also made the question of whether to turn to artificial aids to prolong your shelf-life a distinctly ticklish one. Surgical enhancement don't come cheap; yet actresses in particular regard both Botox and facelifts as essential tools in the desperate battle to prolong their careers, once age and gravity begin their deadly work.It's also made the question of whether to turn to artificial aids to prolong your shelf-life a distinctly ticklish one. Surgical enhancement don't come cheap; yet actresses in particular regard both Botox and facelifts as essential tools in the desperate battle to prolong their careers, once age and gravity begin their deadly work.
Yet while creases and laughter lines may show up in HD like the contours of an ordnance survey map, an anaesthetised upper lip can also look as if you've been punched in the mouth or suffered an attack of Bell's palsy.Yet while creases and laughter lines may show up in HD like the contours of an ordnance survey map, an anaesthetised upper lip can also look as if you've been punched in the mouth or suffered an attack of Bell's palsy.
Never mind. The trick, as Smith eloquently concludes, is simply never to look. And in any case, we can always rely upon our partners to tell us the truth about how we're faring. Only this week I walked into our bedroom naked and asked my wife how she thought I was bearing up to the vagaries of anno domini.Never mind. The trick, as Smith eloquently concludes, is simply never to look. And in any case, we can always rely upon our partners to tell us the truth about how we're faring. Only this week I walked into our bedroom naked and asked my wife how she thought I was bearing up to the vagaries of anno domini.
"I don't know what you're wearing, but it needs ironing," she replied."I don't know what you're wearing, but it needs ironing," she replied.
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