Personal Relationships: Connecting on an Emotional Level with Television Characters

I could not help but notice that while watching certain television series, I could easily apply and relate them to my everyday life. Asking others around me watching these show replied with the same answer. They too were able to identify in one way or another how what they see on television shows can in some form relate to what they are experiencing in life, or have recently experienced. I then was able to come to the conclusion that the television shows that seem to succeed tremendously are the ones that relate their episodes with pop culture, current issues and the society within our nation. This, I thought, could really help in making decisions on what offers to take and what roles to play in the film world. If an actor truly wants to be noticed and recognized, and launch his career, the best route to take would be to choose roles that apply to the popular cultural problems and conflicts of today. I found two great posts from FlowTV that I thought would help prove this point, and I took the time to comment back on both. The first post elaborates on parasocial relationships with reality television, while the second post is based on two new television series and how it directly relates to what Generation Y is going through. Below are the comments I made on each post.

The Lure of American Idol Explained:
Comment:
Your article defines why it is that so many shows get the attention they do, and not just with reality television, but with television series as well. I live with someone who watches the comedic television series of Friends religiously. He would often mention to me how he would find himself almost in the exact emotional state as his favorite character on the show, because to see this person struggle endowed him with pain and remorse as well. This directly relates to what you said to be how “people become so emotionally connected to the “characters” (fictional or real) that they feel like friends or neighbors. As a result, they tune in to their program to “check in” with their “friends” and see what is going on in their lives.” Furthermore, him and I would often begin to talk about which character is our favorite and why. We both found that we chose our favorite according to how we can relate to them on a personal level, or as you termed it, a “parasocial relationship.” I am heavily involved with theatre and film and have never come across this term before, and it really does explain a lot as to why certain shows capture such a heaping amount of attention. The article has also contributed to how I will choose the roles I play in the future. It would appear to be the wisest decision to play a character that society can relate to, or has related to in the past, since they, as an audience, want to emotionally connect to the person behind the camera or on the stage.

A Tale of Two Slackers
Comment:
Your article mainly talks about how Chuck relates to NBC directly. But on a different level, I do believe that Chuck can also relate to the Generation Y as a whole. In one instance you explained that “the audience knows that Chuck’s failure to grow up is a result of his past heartbreak and not his capabilities or even his desires. He longs for meaning.” This is what everyone longs for, and because of this, the audience wants to connect with Chuck and see if he can obtain this super-objective in his life. Many young people today are beginning to rebel, slack off, and find different ways to live their lives outside of the work force. The articles also states “Sean Spencer, the titular character, is happy embracing a life that involves avoidance of any hint of adult responsibility.” Perhaps this is why many people are viewing shows such as Psych and Chuck. I myself am interested in television shows that display characters that I can directly relate to in my everyday life. If not that, than I find myself watching shows that display people living experiences and dealing with problems that I have dealt with in the past. Even though these shows are very fictional, and do not happen in life as we see them on the screen, the actions and decisions that the characters make can help open our eyes and help the audience become aware of different moral and ethical decisions. What can keep entertainment businesses such as NBC and USA on their feet is providing shows that have characters that the audience can connect to on an emotional level due to the similarity of both the audiences and characters daily lives and daily struggles.

Ageless: Battling Against the Undefeatable

Performers who possess the undying passion to live out their undying dream in the entertainment business have been told time and time again that their time is now. The world of film is a prime example of an industry that hunts for striving actors in their prime, and this so-called “prime” age in film is considered to range from a mere sixteen to twenty-four years old. It is during these few years that thirsty actors have their shot at making it big. Even celebrities such as Demi Moore, who have been icons within the industry, find themselves somewhat forced out of the business due to their age and declining appearance because, primarily, those who are enthralled with entertainment world are the younger-aged teenagers.

Time Online just released an article based on the seemingly ageless actress Michelle Pfeiffer, who is playing the lead in an upcoming film based on the “metaphor for the grotesque mutilation taking place in society.” Going on fifty, she still embodies the qualities of a younger woman, as shown in the image on the left, and a starving actor cannot help but wonder what her secret is. Most of us automatically assume the “secret” is likely to be surgery, just as the considerably older, yet younger looking actress Demi Moore has proceeded to do multiple times. However, Pfeiffer’s case is quite the opposite. She strongly opposes the easy way out as she claims that “there’s a lot that you can do surgically…to make yourself look younger, yes-but not necessarily better.” She in fact pities those who are always constantly looking for different ways to make themselves look better, and whose habits become something like an “anorexic disease." As the power of media continues to increase in order to effect its audience, the fear of aging has continued to grow as well.

Lindsay Lohan, for example is fit for this “disease” Pfeiffer speaks of, as she was just released from “her third trip to rehab since January” due to her problem witj drugs, alcohol, and overall body abuse, claims Signsonsandiego.com. Her acting career has come to a crash because of these quick-fix supplements and habits that have consumed her and have downgraded her once beautiful body. She has clearly aged in appearance from her ongoing troubles, as shown in the image below, and because of her career-threatening choices, no one wants her in their productions.

Pfeiffer is fascinated by the body’s decline, and told Time Online that she “doesn’t do much to preserve.” Rather than turning to plastic surgery, what she admits to doing is “[eating] well and go at it hard core at the gym. But that’s it.” What wonderful, yet demanding news to come from a woman who is aging so graceful. This is all performers who truly plan on remaining active in this business need to do! There really is no need to buy one’s way out from aging, just exercise and healthy eating, which is certainly demanding, but also life changing and a strong necessity for performers. The key points that Pfeiffer makes from the article are truly spectacular, and should be taken into consideration: “I’ve defied the obsession with looks in this industry and not allowed it to shape me…I try to live in the present…I’ve spent most of my life not thinking about my looks and it has served me really well.” This advice is something we should take as gold, for it is this advice alone that is timeless and could lead to years of success beyond the “prime” years the industry is so keen on.

With Pfeiffer’s natural way of aging gracefully, one cannot help but use her as a role model and hope for the best to look as stunning as she does at her age. There are multiple ways to naturally treat and pamper the skin in order to create that timeless look. One of these include eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish, as they provide the essential fatty acids and vitamins in order to decrease skin deficiencies and promote “new cell generation, provide anti-oxidant protection against pollutants, and help to build new collagen as we age,” claims Michele Campbell, a resident in naturopathic medicine at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. There are of course many other ways to improve and stabilize skin health, such as drinking six to eight ounces of water a day, getting enough rest (approximately eight hours), and not smoking. Following these guidelines will allow the body to transport all needed nutrients and thereby rejuvenate. Of course the only way to reach this timeless appearance is to start now, just as it is important to grab a hold of fame and success now.

Get Educated: Continuous Learning Takes on Dramatic Changes in Career and World

Who ever said that once college has come and gone, learning should vanish as well? Shakira, a well-known dancer and singer, has taken it upon herself to put her career on hold for a summer in order to take a course at UCLA for “her own enlightenment and enjoyment,” said her Western Civilization professor, Robert Cleve. This news may appear to be quite astonishing, especially since she is already viewed as highly successful. However, for performers it is essential to
continuously educate the mind and stay on track with worldly news on a daily basis. The performing arts is a representation of life itself, and to remain ignorant of culture, history, and the world today, the career as an artist can only go so far. Becoming well-rounded and versatile will increase the likelihood of success, because people scout for those who work hard and have an extensive repertoire of talents under their belt.

Dating back to the mid 1800’s, famous performers such as Benoit Constant Coquelin gives the very same advice. Throughout his career, he studied this art immensely and wrote a number of essays about this subject. In his essay titled The Dual Personality of the Actor, he states that “The dramatic art is…the art of humanity, and this is what makes a play of the highest pleasure…” He too believes that “Art is…not identification, but representation.” If actors are to imitate life, they need to absorb themselves in it. Drawing from historical and successful actors such as Coquelin goes to show just how crucial it is in be an observer in everyday life. It is a method that has worked for centuries and is taught to those who aspire to be elite performers.

One might wonder just how to do get involved with the world and become an avid observer of life. There is, after all, and unlimited amount of activities and studies to inquire in ones archive, and where does one begin? Extracting guidance from yet another historic master of theatre is a man by the name of David Garrick who strongly advices to get in touch with nature. In his essay titled An Essay on Acting, he mentions that “the only way to arrive at great excellency…is to let nature herself sit to the artist: would a player perform equally excellent in his profession, let him be introduced into the world…” It is of high importance to dive into life by allowing nature sink into personal life. Understanding nature is equivalent to understanding the world. If an actor relies on the power of nature rather than the power of oneself, representation of life can be accomplished on stage, on camera, or on a canvas, but only with great study and practice. By no means can this goal be reached over night.

The world famous Konstantin Stanislovskii, as shown in the image to the left, gave great advice on how to begin to allow nature seep into one’s life. Within his writings, he mentions that all masters of art should write, and keep a daily journal of every performance seen, little gestures people made on the street, etc. On top of this, he advised his students, from experience, to read voraciously, whether it be newspapers, novels, anything in print. Stanislovskii urged his students to visit museums daily, as well as concerts and art exhibits. In short, it is imperative to “develop your experience of the world and your ability to empathize with others through a broad liberal education.” With this in mind, recall certain moods from memory, and begin to take into consideration how the body is reacting and feeling in these certain moods. Once this is established, the actor will have a better grasp of how to represent that action or feeling on stage.

Becoming aware of the world within and around the actor will not only launch personal improvement, but can also make the world a better place to live. Performing can be a very selfish career, especially with constant self improvements and practices. However, with constantly surrounding oneself with current events, it is becoming increasingly common for actors to reach out to certain organizations that are designed to shape the world into a healthier, safer planet. Brad Pitt, to name one, has teamed up with an organization called Global Green in the hope of rebuilding destroyed houses from Hurricane Katrina. Pitt has taken it upon himself in understanding the high costs of energy use in homes, and with this knowledge he has been able to build low cost, energy efficient homes along the Ward, and is offering the homes to the families who lost theirs at that location, as shown in the image above. He is now highly aware of the damages the city caused, and he is extremely focused on providing families with a better, sturdier home compared to the shelters the government has temporarily provided.

Observing and taking initiative on life and what it has to offer will only provide greater opportunities for career advancement, and once performers dapple around with activities and education, nothing but improvement on self as well as inspiration to better the world will come about.