I came across content on YouTube from The Hollywood Reporter, where an editor or writer conducts a roundtable discussion with a group of actors, actresses, directors, and songwriters (s0 far).
Watching celebrities talk about their craft, work experiences, and the issues plaguing the industry, such as sexism, diversity, discrimination, etc., with their peers is very interesting and illuminating. Viewers have the privilege to get to know them better as professionals, as well as individuals.
Participants usually share something in common to be part of a group. Mostly, it's a group of six, although I've seen one of seven, with the biggest group of eight. I guess six is a pretty good number to allow everyone to share their thoughts and interact with each other without the exercise being too chaotic. When discussions get passionate or hilarious, they tend to talk over each other, and this is where the moderator has to step in and bring back order to the discussions.
It's an hour-long discussion, just enough to hear the actors' sentiments, thoughts, experiences, and words of wisdom, guided by the moderator.
I've seen three moderators handle the roundtable, and it was the women who were better at it than the men. Come to think of it, the actresses' groups are more engaging than actors so you end up staying for the whole hour to listen in on the conversation.
The THR Roundtable is far different from the usual press junket that celebrities have to go through before the showing of a movie or when a television or cable show series is about to drop. Here, they talk more openly and share their experiences and thoughts, especially on issues that have hounded Hollywood like pay equality and opportunities for actors of color as well as those with different sexual orientations.
When topics discussed are those rarely talked about publicly by a group of actors, they are all ears, paying close attention to whoever was speaking, being very respectful, just displaying a kind of kinship that is quite refreshing. So, other than admiring them for being consummate artists, you also get to know those with even more depth and intelligence.
Eavesdropping into this conversation is an eye-opener. Getting to know actors beyond the roles they play raises the level of respect you have for them. And picking up on the nuggets of wisdom shared by each one from their years of experience is a priceless education.
Given that the actresses' I saw featured in the Roundtable are all award-winning, it was not surprising to hear of their passion and dedication to the craft, describing what they had to go through to do the most challenging scenes, and how they could (or could not) immediately shed the character they were playing, and how it consumed them with emotion long after the director has yelled 'cut!'
Having a little background in acting, I understood what they were talking about and was very enlightened to hear them describe what was going on inside their minds and entire being while tackling a role or enacting a particularly challenging scene.
Anyone in the acting profession deserves a healthy amount of respect. It is not an easy job. It is a craft, and many strive to hone and perfect this over time. As challenging as it can be, acting is also fun. Imagine being able to step into the shoes of someone who is nothing like you and live their experiences.
But it is in stepping into the shoes of another human being, whether fictional or real, that can take away something from an actor's humanity. Because as the legendary Jessica Lange said during their Roundtable discussion, "the body doesn't understand that it's make-believe," making it extremely difficult to let go of a scene that was particularly draining to film.
"All the rage, the sorrow seeps into the marrow of your bones. Every molecule is believing that it is real, no matter what the mind is telling it..."
Such a powerful description of what actors have to live with because they choose to give their entire being to their craft.
From Oprah Winfrey, she said of acting, "It's a very intimidating thing, and I don't take it lightly. I have such regard for what it takes to dismantle yourself, open yourself up vulnerably and let the energy and spirit of another character come through that."
It was a Sunday well-spent watching those Roundtable discussions. I know I will go back for more insights, not just of actors, but their thoughts and experiences and what makes acting a really admirable profession.
For anyone interested to take a peek into one episode, here is a link to THR Full Drama Actress Roundtable featuring Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Elizabeth Moss, Chrissy Metz, and Jessica Lange.
This is beautiful