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    The Soul Happy-er JWC3's Avatar
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    Default Character and Type

    Seeing as most characters who are a very very good example of a certain type also seem to share that type, or are very very similar in type, with the actor who plays them; What do you all think about the relationship between type and the ability to portray other types? Are certain types just really easy to play?
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    Quote Originally Posted by JWC3 View Post
    Seeing as most characters who are a very very good example of a certain type also seem to share that type, or are very very similar in type, with the actor who plays them; What do you all think about the relationship between type and the ability to portray other types? Are certain types just really easy to play?
    true, I've once noticed this too.

    I guess most actors play their own type.

    example the A-Team

    Hannibal ENTJ the leader
    Face ENFJ the charismatic
    Murdock ENTP-Ne the mad man

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    Quote Originally Posted by JWC3 View Post
    Seeing as most characters who are a very very good example of a certain type also seem to share that type, or are very very similar in type, with the actor who plays them; What do you all think about the relationship between type and the ability to portray other types? Are certain types just really easy to play?
    I think that most actors will (wisely) go for the low hanging fruit and pick (or will be picked) for a character portrayal much like themselves. For this reason good directors (eg Woody Allen) will often allow actors make changes the script to suit their style adding to the overall feel of authenticity.

    If i had to mention one really impressive actor with range, Robert DeNiro comes to mind. He seems to play a lot of ST type roles but i figure him for an INFP.

    In answer to your question i guess Feeling types have the most range ... and within that the Beta NFs like DeNiro and just about every US president in the last 30 years ..... easier for a feeler to portray a thinker than a thinker to portray a feeler.
    ILE

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    We probably portray types from our own quadrs and club the best.
    But, for a certainty, back then,
    We loved so many, yet hated so much,
    We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

    Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
    Whilst our laughter echoed,
    Under cerulean skies...

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    Ti centric krieger's Avatar
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    When an actor plays something other than their real type, the result is usually something awkward and fake-looking. Fortunately, most directors pick up on this and make small adjustments to the role to accomodate for the difference in type between actor and character.

    Saw this movie a few days ago. It has an INTj in it that behaves extroverted. The behavior is not in any way impossible for an INTj to manifest, but one wonders how an INTj would keep up that kind of thing for long times on end.

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    wants to be a writer. silverchris9's Avatar
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    I strongly disagree. Meryl Streep. No way the character she plays are all the same type, adjustments to the role or not. I mean, that's just one example, but you can cite bunches of character actors who are more than capable of "playing against type" (insert rimshot here). Acting (real acting) happens at a pretty deep level, and good actors are more than capable of imagining different states of being, whether that happens from the inside out or from the outside in. I guess what I'm saying is, if you can play Rainman, you can play an LII, no matter what your type is.
    Not a rule, just a trend.

    IEI. Probably Fe subtype. Pretty sure I'm E4, sexual instinctual type, fairly confident that I'm a 3 wing now, so: IEI-Fe E4w3 sx/so. Considering 3w4 now, but pretty sure that 4 fits the best.

    Yes 'a ma'am that's pretty music...

    I am grateful for the mystery of the soul, because without it, there could be no contemplation, except of the mysteries of divinity, which are far more dangerous to get wrong.

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    The Soul Happy-er JWC3's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by silverchris9 View Post
    I strongly disagree. Meryl Streep. No way the character she plays are all the same type, adjustments to the role or not. I mean, that's just one example, but you can cite bunches of character actors who are more than capable of "playing against type" (insert rimshot here). Acting (real acting) happens at a pretty deep level, and good actors are more than capable of imagining different states of being, whether that happens from the inside out or from the outside in. I guess what I'm saying is, if you can play Rainman, you can play an LII, no matter what your type is.
    What type do you think Dustin Hoffman is? And do you think there is a connection between that type and LII?
    Easy Day

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilly View Post
    We probably portray types from our own quadrs and club the best.
    What about in the case of a conflictor? Wouldn't it be easy to just do every thing opposite of what you would normally do?
    Easy Day

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rocket View Post
    I think that most actors will (wisely) go for the low hanging fruit and pick (or will be picked) for a character portrayal much like themselves. For this reason good directors (eg Woody Allen) will often allow actors make changes the script to suit their style adding to the overall feel of authenticity.

    If i had to mention one really impressive actor with range, Robert DeNiro comes to mind. He seems to play a lot of ST type roles but i figure him for an INFP.

    In answer to your question i guess Feeling types have the most range ... and within that the Beta NFs like DeNiro and just about every US president in the last 30 years ..... easier for a feeler to portray a thinker than a thinker to portray a feeler.
    What is it about ethicals do you think that makes them more adept at having a larger 'acting range' than logical types?

    Why do you think DeNiro is INFP? (1. I mean what interviews/information/movies did you watch that led you to this conclusion, 2. Do you mean IEI?)
    Easy Day

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    Quote Originally Posted by JWC3 View Post
    Why do you think DeNiro is INFP? (1. I mean what interviews/information/movies did you watch that led you to this conclusion, 2. Do you mean IEI?)
    Yes IEI.
    I'm old enough for DeNiro to have been part of my consciousness for ages. It's not one movie or interview.

    But here's an interview thats reasonably representative



    Maybe just me, but he gives me the impression of a man brimming with expression but somehow "restraining" it. The impression of a man who could express at will anything he wanted to, and with ease. The impression of a man who can and will turn it "off" and "on" as needed -Creative

    He's eloquent. When i look at him, his basic patterns, mirco expressions match those of IEI's i know in person.
    ILE

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    With regard to why i believe feeling types make the most versatile actors ... its quite simple. Socionics has the focus of feelers in the human sphere. In short they're more likely to be better observers of human behaviour, more acutely aware of the true nature of relationships and more able to address unspoken emotional needs. Given these leanings they are more likely to have a broader repertoire to apply in their acting roles.
    ILE

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    Memory of Tomorrow Reuben's Avatar
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    I haven't watched the whole thing, but check out 1:55 to 2:07.

    This part is where DeNiro is speaking out of his super ego. Notice how he takes a deep breath in and becomes a bit more tense when speaking? Also, he begins to touch his nose, and at the end when he says 'I know what's really important, and what's not', he touches his nose and covers his mouth. He was lying.

    This supports the IEI theory, since his SLI personna isn't his real self.
    She is wise
    beyond words
    beautiful within
    her soul
    brighter than
    the sun
    lovelier than
    love
    dreams larger
    than life
    and does not
    understand the
    meaning of no.
    Because everything
    through her, and in her, is
    "Yes, it will be done."


    Why I love LSEs:
    Quote Originally Posted by Abbie
    A couple years ago I was put in charge of decorating the college for Valentine's Day. I made some gorgeous, fancy decorations from construction paper, glue, scissors, and imagination. Then I covered a couple cabinets with them. But my favorite was the diagram of a human heart I put up. So romantic!

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    Memory of Tomorrow Reuben's Avatar
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    'and she acts mostly through subtle facial and body movements to express her emotions. Very credible.'

    I'd like to ask about this SLI-thing on reading body language. Many type descriptions always seem to come with the line similar to this 'but the SLI is a master of reading body language. He does this to make up for his weak feeling function.'

    How credible is this actually?

    Also, if anyone knows, how does their method of reading body language differ from Fe-ego types? (Or perhaps its their method of acquiring that body language reading skill that differs?)

    I am actually rather impressed with Kate's acting. Not so at first, it seemed a bit stilted. But the more I watch it, I realized that she was actually playing a character that was having some date anxiety of sorts that faded away during the kiss. I don't know the context so I'm just guessing here. If I guessed right, then she was awesome.

    I'm intrigued by the idea of logical types having to rely on their own emotions. In other words, they must find a way to stimulate their emotions? I don't really catch what you're saying. Could you give examples?
    She is wise
    beyond words
    beautiful within
    her soul
    brighter than
    the sun
    lovelier than
    love
    dreams larger
    than life
    and does not
    understand the
    meaning of no.
    Because everything
    through her, and in her, is
    "Yes, it will be done."


    Why I love LSEs:
    Quote Originally Posted by Abbie
    A couple years ago I was put in charge of decorating the college for Valentine's Day. I made some gorgeous, fancy decorations from construction paper, glue, scissors, and imagination. Then I covered a couple cabinets with them. But my favorite was the diagram of a human heart I put up. So romantic!

  14. #14
    Creepy-Cyclops

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    Quote Originally Posted by CeruleanFlame
    I'd like to ask about this SLI-thing on reading body language. Many type descriptions always seem to come with the line similar to this 'but the SLI is a master of reading body language. He does this to make up for his weak feeling function.'
    For myself, I often find myself paying attention to peoples facial expressions, it gives me clues as to what they are about. Funny, I know an SLI who when driving always seems to have the need to look at the passenger when communicating if he's not sure of the person.

    I'm not sure if I portray as much facial expressions as I look for in others, but I sometimes think i'm good at reading the minute details.

    ENFp's often have a sort of astonished/thinking about it look when i'm talking to them, which soothes me as I think they are taking in what i'm saying.


    Also, if anyone knows, how does their method of reading body language differ from Fe-ego types? (Or perhaps its their method of acquiring that body language reading skill that differs?)
    I pay more attention to it than them from what I can tell, they seem to have other ways of reading, and more importantly, the Fe dominants are more concerned with influencing than reading, whereas I can't influence like that but I try to read.

    Don't know if that helps.

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    Quote Originally Posted by CeruleanFlame View Post

    Also, if anyone knows, how does their method of reading body language differ from Fe-ego types? (Or perhaps its their method of acquiring that body language reading skill that differs?)
    Yeah I have been wondering this too. As an LSI I feel like I'm really good at reading body language and feeling energy??

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    The Soul Happy-er JWC3's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mimosa Pudica View Post
    More or less.



    I just meant that people will have different areas of strenght, depending on personality type and life experiences, etc. and that I think an actor will look better if he lets his own personality shine through in areas of weakness, but that he can rely more on "imagination" in areas of strenght. That's just my idea, though. You should ask JWC3 what theory says.
    Your actually pretty spot on. I'm inclined to ask if you've read any acting text books. Basically imagination, while not really being the right word, is simply replacing things in your own life with objects the character finds important. Not the creating of an entire fake world or person. What I mean by this is instead of just pretending you fucking love cheese pie and then portraying that. (Which would prolly come off as over the top and a bit awkward on stage) It's generally more helpful for an actor to replace something in their life that they do actually love with cheese pie and then acting accordingly, because this gives an actor a much better idea of what is real and further more a idea or starting place for the emotional attraction to cheese pie.

    Basically imagination is sort of the right word but not really because it implies the creation of something that is fake or not real which of course is never what you want to play on-stage.
    Easy Day

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