The only times Cate Blanchett ever regrets being an actor: “A strange sense of loss”
Countless actors have argued about the differences between acting for the stage and screen, with a silent war waging both those with differing opinions on which medium is the best. The stage can offer you the chance to perfectly hone your performance and try multiple different versions of a scene, with a level of freedom that only comes from being able to perform the same thing every day for weeks on end. But when it comes to screen acting, it offers a unique kind of spontaneity given how quickly the process evolves, with more variety in each day as you work in different locations and on new scenes.
But while some are die-hard lovers of one format and denounce the other, there are many actors who work across both mediums, leading to a conflicting state of mind as they balance the pros and cons of both mediums while equally loving the creative freedoms offered through both. This was something that Cate Blanchett highlighted after starring in her latest project, Rumours, discussing the advantages of acting for the stage after struggling with one element of screen acting.
One of the best parts of working on a film production is the community formed between the cast, crew and every single person who is involved in the creative process. The phrase ‘it takes a village’ is certainly one that springs to mind when summarising the joint effort that it takes to bring a story to life, leading you to form lifelong friendships and collaborative relationships with the people you see on set everyday.
However, while you might spend time with more people, something that is less prominent when working for the stage in smaller groups, those in front of the camera have less time to spend with their characters, sometimes only becoming fully comfortable with the person they are playing at the end of the shoot, and then suddenly having to let them go.
This was a quandary that Blanchett described, saying, “It’s a strange thing with filmmaking, because I’m always filled with regret on the last day of shooting when I think, I finally understand this character. That’s what I love about theater: You get to go out the next night and repair the fuck-ups that you did the night before, but with film, there is a strange sense of loss, because you have to let that person go. Even with someone who’s as detestable as the stepmother in Cinderella, there’s a kind of relish in playing her, and you have to let it go”.
When acting for the stage, you are given far more time to live in the shoes of your character, with multiple opportunities to redo the scenes you are less confident in and try new iterations of each moment. But while in front of a camera, especially one that is loaded with film, and you only have one shot or a tight time frame, you aren’t awarded this luxury.
There are swings and roundabouts to all aspects of performing, and while you might struggle with some, the love for the craft is ultimately what persists.
