[How Ian McKellen Acts With His Eyes] (Viewer #544,408)
I don’t think I could put any of those expressions on my face on purpose. The man is good at what he does.
Bonus Video: Ian McKellen talks about acting.
This happened 30 years before the above video, but he might as well be doing a director’s commentary, because what he says bears directly on what the above video discusses. If you have time, watch this one first.
[Ian McKellen Explains The Difference Between Acting on Stage and In Movies | The Dick Cavett Show] (Viewer #59,915)
When he was young as in the second video, he did a PBS show, “Acting Shakespeare” I think it was called, that absolutely blew me away. Changed my idea of the value of actors (when they’re not just line-readers). Found it on YouTube last year, and it’s just as impressive today.
If you can find a link, please drop it in the comments…
12:07 snippet I remember most fondly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGbZCgHQ9m8
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For shorter snippets:
1:25:36 longer version — much more slickly produced, from when he took his show on the road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rVdTsU8Qd8
You can just sample this one in one-minute snippets. Like with a stand-up comic, he jumps all over the place, so you are not really lost if you drop in anywhere, randomly, in this longer one. Many fascinating stories and quick performances. You don’t have to commit to watching the whole thing.
I watched the short one and poked around the long one. It’s fascinating to watch a professional who understands his craft so thoroughly.