eye yi yi

I read an article once about a production of Ben Hur that was produced on Broadway years ago, many years ago. They staged the chariot race, live, with honest to gods, real life, flesh and blood horses, running on a revolving stage. Kind of a lazy Susan arrangement.

A few years back a friend of mine directed a play that had a scene of a helicopter flight. Two actors and a kitchen chair.

Given a choice I would prefer the helicopter chair.

A few years back I saw the first Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie. Back in the day I would basically see every single movie that was released. All kinds of special effects, lots of CGI, stuff blowin' up, all sorts of hi-tech hi-jinx. In the middle of it all was a shot of Angelina Jolie in close up, peering over a wall, all eyes.

That was the best effect in the movie.

On stage or on screen , for me ,the best special effects are people. Telling a story, connecting to that story. Connecting to their character. Connecting to the other actors and finally to the audience

 Watch the eyes. It's all in the eyes.

As an actor, when you make that eye to eye connection, you get locked in with the other actor. There is something about it that is incredibly intimate. Often a  young actor has trouble making that eye to eye contact, it's too much. Often you get the "staring at the forehead effect" not as effective.

There are times when you don't want to make eye contact and that can be just as powerful. " hmmm, why can't he look her in the eye?"

During rehearsal the other night we were having an " eye" conversation, when I went home that night I picked up a book and discovered this bit of poetry. Coincedence? I think not.

You need not see what someone is doing
To know if it is his vocation

You have only to watch his eyes:
A cook mixing a sauce, a surgeon

Making a primary incision,
A clerk completing a bill of lading,

Wear the same rapt expression,
Forgetting themselves in a function

How beautiful it is
That eye-on-the-object look

W H Auden