Mammootty, The Method Actor
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Transcript of Mammootty, The Method Actor
Method ActingMammootty a Method Actor, an Analysis………………………
This documentary show cases the concepts of Method Acting with examples from roles played by South Indian Movie star Mammootty.
Prepared, Analyzed and Compiled by Araf Karsh Hamid
What’s Acting
Vocal Vocal Projection Dialects & Accents Voice Modulation Clarity of Speech
Physical
Body Language
Emotional facility
Physical expressivity
Ability to interpret drama
A well developed imagination
Origin of Method Acting
Konstantin Stanislavski system is a progression of techniques used to train actors to draw believable emotions to their performances.
In America Method Acting came through iterations of Konstantin Stanislavski system by Lee Strasberg.
Lee Strasberg developed and popularized this (Stanislavski’s) system in America along with Stella Adler and others in 1940s and 50s.
Method acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances.
Konstantin Stanislavski
A Russian Actor / Director (1863 – 1938)
His historic meeting with Vladimir Nemirovich Danchenko resulted in Moscow Art Theatre.
His System is a systematic approach to acting. Areas of study include concentration, voice, physical skills, emotion memory, observation and dramatic analysis.
System focused on the development of artistic truth onstage by teaching actors to “Experience the part” during performance.
Key Concepts: Preparation, Motivation, Truth
P: Thorough Analysis of Script and the role
M: Magic (What) If – Analyzing the situation and thinking how to react.
M: Objective or Through Line – The Past, Present and Future of the Character
T: Immersed in the scene, Experience what the character feels and not pretending.
T: Illusion of the first time – You should feel that it’s the first time you are enacting or experiencing the scene.
Lee Strasberg
An American Actor, Director and Acting Teacher
In 1951 became the director of Actors Studio, New York City, The most prestigious Acting school
Father of Method Acting in America
Two key techniques Improvisation Affective Memory
These techniques helps the actor to express the appropriate emotions demanded of the character.
Lee Strasberg’s Students
Marlon Brando
RobertDi Niro
AlPacino
DustinHoffman
JackNicholson
PaulNewman
MarilynMonroe
JaneFonda
Some great movies by the students of Lee Strasberg
MarlonBrando Al Pacino
DustinHoffman
Jack Nicholson
Daniel Day-Lewis
Only Actor who won 3 Best Actor (Leading Role) Academy (Oscar) Award
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Day-Lewis
2012 2007 1989
Leon
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apri
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Chri
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Heath
Led
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John
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Joaquin
Ph
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Great Method Actors - Current Era
Popular Method Actors from India
* If I missed anyone’s name please add that in the comments.
Mammootty Kamal Hassan Vikram Aamir Khan Surya
Mammootty, A Method Actor
An Actor from Southern (Kerala) part of India
3 time National Award Winner for Best Actor
6 Kerala State Awards and 11 Filmfare & Critics Awards
Let us go through the various roles he played and see the variations in
Vocal Projection, Dialect, Accent, Voice Modulation Body Language Physical Expressivity And all other aspects of Method Acting
Are we comparing?
No, we are not comparing Mammootty with great actors of Hollywood.
We are analyzing whether he can stand along with the great actors of the world or did he went beyond them!
Watch the next section (movie clippings), look for voice modulation, dialects, accents, body language, and judge yourself.
How do you Analyze?
Section 1 Focuses on Vocal variations and body language.
Section 2 Handling commercial and art films at ease.
Section 3 Similar emotional tragedy: 4 characters 4 different reactions.
Section 4 1980s – The beginning
Section 5 Other Language Movies (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada &
English)
Section 6 Mind blowing performances – National Award Winners.
Movies Selected
2000s – 20 1990s – 10 1980s – 16 Others - 08
Let us start the Journey…
Mammootty, The Method Actor
Section 1
Checkout Vocal Projection Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
These are all multi dimensional characters. Along with the Body Language, the most striking aspects in these movies are the voice modulation, projection, accent and dialects.
Section 1 - Analysis
The real life character Dr. Ambedkar (Baroda, India) a Columbia University (US) graduate.
Pazhassi Raja (1774-1805), Prince of a small Southern City (Kerala, India) revolted against British.
Now compare the English dialects between these two characters. The former is polished while the latter has learned English just so that he can communicate with British directly.
Other aspects to watch out for:
• Voice Modulation• Body Language • Emotional facility• Physical expressivity
All these three movie characters are pure fiction.
• A Gangster• Mentally Challenged• Religious Business man
However the most striking aspects in these three movies are
• Vocal Projection• Voice Modulation• Body Language• Accent & Dialects• Emotional facility• Physical expressivity
Section 1 Analysis
For any aspiring actors the following 5roles will be worth watching again andagain.
1. A Gypsy (Karuthapakshikal)2. A Fisherman (Amaram)3. A Movie Actor
(Kathaparayumbol)4. A Hunter (Mrigaya)5. An Illiterate Rich Person
(Rajamanickam)
Checkout the subtle performance as a Movie Actor in the guest role in Kathaparayumbol. That climax made the movie awesome.
Watch out for the following
• Voice Modulation• Accent and dialects• Body Language
Sectio
n 1
- A
naly
sis
Sect
ion 2
Checkout Vocal Projection, Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
An Actor who could transition from an Art film to Commercial film at ease. From subtle to power packed performances.
Even after having power packed performances in Palerimanickyam, Loud Speaker and Pazhassi Raja (released in 2009) still Lost National Award to Amitabh Bachchan for Paa.
Section 2 Analysis
Three roles are as different as chalk and cheese
1. A Cruel Feudal Lord
2. A Simple Writer
3. Misunderstood Folk story Villain
What you see here is the contrast of different characters and their body language, mannerisms, personality etc.
Method Actors makes the characters memorable. They make the characters ‘Alive’ on the screen.
Sectio
n 2
- A
naly
sis
Role
1. A Innocent Villager (Loud Speaker)
2. High Ranking Govt Officer (The King)
3. Rich Business Man4. A Mariner (Kutty Srank)5. School Teacher with a
passion for Acting (Best Actor)
The ease at which Mammoottyswitches between Art and commercial films.
The role as a mariner (in Kutty Srank) is much more challenging as he plays three different characters with with different behavior patterns for the same role.
Section 2 - Analysis
Characters
1. A Villager (Kaazhcha)2. Good Feudal Lord (Prajapathi)3. An Economist (Ore Kadal)4. A Police Officer (Roudram)
Checkout the Body Language, Mannerisms, and dialogue delivery (voice modulation).
The collapse of the Economist due to guilt is extra ordinary. At the same time it will be interesting to compare the body language of the Assertive Feudal Lord and the Innocent Villager (Kaazhcha).
This section ends with a 10 minutes dialogue from Roudram movie a commercial pot boiler. However its interesting to note change in emotions from sadness to anger, to threat. A good example for voice modulation.
Section 3
Checkout Vocal Projection Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
Movie Role
Padheyam A Writer
Amaram Fisherman
Bhoothakannadi Schizophrenic
Palunku A Villager
Similar tragedy (loosing daughter) but 4 different ways of reaction based on character’s background and environment.
Section 3 - Analysis
These four movies shows a classic example of the Stanislavski system.
Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending. Illusion of the first time – You should feel
that it’s the first time you are enacting or experiencing the scene.
Movie Role
Padheyam A Writer
Amaram Fisherman
Bhoothakannadi Schizophrenic
Palunku A Villager
Similar tragedy (loosing daughter) but 4 different ways of reaction based on character’s background and environment.
Section 4 1980s – The
Beginning
Checkout Vocal Projection, Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
Popular Sequels from 80s
1. Sethuramaiyer CBI (5 movies)2. Inspector Balram (3 movies)3. Anti Hero - Tharadas (2 movies)4. Inspector Perumal (2 movies)
Sequels from 1990s5. Joseph Alex, IAS Collector (2 movies)
Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is portrayed in a completely different ways.
Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending. Illusion of the first time – You should feel that it’s
the first time you are enacting or experiencing the scene.
Movie Sequels Role
Yavanika A Police Officer
Avanazhi 2 A Police Officer – Inspector Balram
August 1 1 A Police Officer – Inspector Perumal
Jagratha 4 A Police Officer – Sethuramaiyer (CBI)
All these movies are crime thrillers and the protagonist is the investigating police officer. Even though the role is a Police officer, Mammootty made sure that each character is distinctive in nature. This resulted in the character becoming memorable and created more movies of the same character.
Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is portrayed in a completely different ways.
Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending. Illusion of the first time – You should feel that
it’s the first time you are enacting or experiencing the scene.
Movie Role
New Delhi Journalist / Media Baron
Utharam Journalist
Koodevide Army Officer
Yathra Common man, wrongly convicted, on his way back home
Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is portrayed in a completely different ways.
Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending. Illusion of the first time – You should feel that
it’s the first time you are enacting or experiencing the scene.
Movie Sequel Role
1921 Freedom Fighter
Athirathram
1 Gangster - Tharadas
Sangam Carefree Rich Businessman
Gangster character was such a hit a sequel got released after couple of decades. Last in this list was a trend setter (for a Heroic care free rich business man) resulted in lot actors donning similar roles for the next two decades in Malayalam movies.
Section 5
Checkout Vocal Projection Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
Performances in other Languages
Language # Total
Tamil 15
Hindi 05
Telugu 03
Kannada 01
English 01
TOTAL 25
Section 6
Checkout Vocal Projection Voice Modulation Accent & Dialects Body Language Emotional facility Physical expressivity Ability to interpret drama
Mind blowing performances in National Award Winners
Movie Role
Dr. Ambedkar Dr. Ambedkar
Vidheyan Cruel Feudal Lord
Ponthan Mada
Slave
Mathilukal Writer
Oru Vadakkan
Warrior
Mohanlal
Malayalam movie industry is blessed with two great actors in Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Mohanlal has won 2 Best Actor National Awards (Bharatham & Vanaprastham) and a special Jury Award for Kireedom.
In Mohanlal’s on words, Comparing him with Mammootty is not right as they are two different species when it comes to Acting. Both have two different approaches to acting.
However, he emphasize the point that the Voice modulation is not part of his acting, which Mammootty is a master and it shows in the variety of characters Mammootty has played over a period of 3 decades.
As final touch let us look at the last set of movie clips to understand voice modulation, accent and dialects in Malayalam language itself.
Awards
03 National Awards05 State Awards11 Filmfare Awards11 Critics AwardsTwice Lost National Awards
Mammootty Age: 61Movies: 375+Languages: 6
References
• Konstantin Stanislavsky : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislavsky • System: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislavski%27s_system
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khcCvAe8wtg • YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpEGXrDSXo8&feature=
fvwp • Lee Strasberg : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Strasberg • Method Acting : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting
• Mammootty Web Site : http://mammootty.com/
• Marlon Brando : Redefined Acting• Jack Nicholson :
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson • What I have learned: Jack Nicholson
• Daniel Day Lewis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Day-Lewis
• Academy (Oscar) Awards for Best Actor• Best Method Actors : http://www.imdb.com/list/Ns20nd1Thqw/
Watch the Video – Mammootty, The Method Actor
Version YouTube URL
1 http://youtu.be/YeOGSQ8rx1c
2 http://youtu.be/lu185UPEuY8
3 http://youtu.be/qYTA0QsiYp0