Hugh Jackman and the Art of Acting

[jo]

Perhaps we can put up a separate thread for this topic?






Sessions with Hugh for acting students are always a pleasure to watch.

I hope we get a transcription or a video clip of the session.



Did anybody ever see a clip of his session with the students from Circle in the Square Theatre School?

Some discussions like the New York Times ( TIMES TALKS) with Patrick Healy interviewing Hugh and Ian Rickson are also related to this topic.

And his two sessions with NYC's Own Actors Studios ( Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton) are classics!


Jo

[jo]

Stephen Valeri ‏@stephen_valeri · 1m1 minute ago
A privilege to hear @realhughjackman speak so openly today. Honest, grounded & charming - everything we aspire to! Thank you @16thstreetact

Joshua Aiello ‏@joshuaaiello_ · 24m24 minutes ago
@realhughjackman Thank U 4 an incredibly informative and inspiring Q&A @ 16th St. I have never wanted to act more in my life. Rock on man!

Arielle Thomas ‏@arielleithomas · 38m38 minutes ago  Melbourne, Victoria
The smile on @realhughjackman's face today while he spoke to us about acting, lasted 3 hours! Thanks for being so inspiring! @16thstreetact?

Amy Gubana ‏@amygubana · 11m11 minutes ago
@realhughjackman ?? Huge THANK YOU for coming and chatting to us today Hugh! A phenomenal actor and such an inspiration. So much love!

Steve Syson ‏@sysonsteve · 49m49 minutes ago
Hugh Jackman Q&A at 16th street actor studio today. Was outstanding!

[jo]

Here's TIMES TALKS with Hugh Jackman and Ian Rickson --

[jo]

His return to Inside the Actors Studio, with James Lipton --





This is where he told of how he initially thought his Wolverine role was inspired by wolves

And that was a mean Elvis impression ( HAPPY FEET).

Tap dancing, despite a weaker left leg!



I have forgotten how much he has shared about the filming of Les Miserables here --

*Twenty-one takes for THE SOLILOQUY/Seventeen takes for BRING HIM HOME

*The conflict of emotions and acting in SOLILOQUY ( he was almost teary-eyed talking about it)

*He notes that the original Valjean from the Original Concept Album was a baritone! It was Colm Wilkinson who changed the singing part to a dramatic tenor! Because of his physical attributes, Colm was credible as a rough convict even if he sings with a tenor voice.

I wonder how much Les Miserables material Hugh went through before filming started?

*How Russell influences other actors in their scenes together. Hooper must have been so glad to have two great actors cross swords with him on interpreting the roles


I wish Lipton also included THE FOUNTAIN and A STEADY RAIN in the discussions. One hour was to short for this session!


Jo

[jo]

And his first appearance on INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO --

[jo]

Acting in real life

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 3h3 hours ago
Me: giving my mate the evil eye.
Mate: (unseen and unaware) continues to prattle on without noticing the eye of evil.

[jo]

What are some of Hugh's most memorable acting moments ?


Here's the sad scene from PRISONERS, when he was asked to look at some photos --





It was in complete contrast to most of the explosive scenes from the movie.


Jo

[jo]

The scene that impressed Robert Downey,Jr., when he watched it was Hugh Jackman's dying monologue --

• Robert Downey, Jr. on The Prestige: “It’s like the old film The Seven-Per-Cent Solution – that Sherlock Holmes movie – it was so not what you expected. To me, it was a Ferrari engine of a script, and Christian Bale is always exciting and innovative. The scene where Hugh Jackman is dying and then has a page and a half monologue… How do you deliver a speech like that? But Jackman handled it.

[jo]

From a musical, Hugh's ability to segue from words to song and back to words while acting out a scene impressed Richard Rodgers grandson Adam Guettel --

Yet Guettel said that the best piece of musical theater he's ever seen was Trevor Nunn's 1998 London production of Oklahoma!. He praised Hugh Jackman's ability in the role of Curly to transition naturally between dialogue and song, helping the audience to believe a person can legitimately express themselves through music as well as speech.

[jo]

Someone (who belonged to the Nominating Committee of SAG) calls this his Oscar moment -- Valjean's Soliloquy!

[jo]

That scene in THE FOUNTAIN when he grieves for his wife ... and then tattoes his finger with the lost ring.

I can't find a clip...yet!


Jo

[jo]

Easily the most popular scene in XMEN:FIRST CLASS --





So quintessentially Wolverine!

[jo]

That scene in KATE AND LEOPOLD when he talks of fresh creamery butter...only to discover it tastes like saddle soap

[jo]

At the bar, with Mugari, after they discovered that Lady Ashley might be dead -- as tear course down his cheeks.

I can't find a clip of that scene from AUSTRALIA ...yet!

(All that are showing up is the shower scene ... although that is probably his most memorable moment in the film, if you ask the ladies ).

[jo]

Many moviegoers have some set notions about Hugh's brand of acting... and along the way sometimes get an excellent surprise if they see him in a movie and find that he is unexpectedly good! Not realizing that this is one very versatile actor!

This came up on social media, quoting the comments from another message board --

Alastor3
Member
(Today, 12:42 PM)




Best of Hugh Jackman movie? #1

Beside X-men, the Prestige and Prisoners I think I haven't watched another movie with him in it.

I just watched Les Misérables and god, he was spectacular, sure his singing is not the best of the cast but since it's done on the spot, it's actually pretty emotional and alive.

Do you have other movies from him to recommend me?

[jo]

An acting mentor talks about Hugh Jackman --

www.tnp.sg/entertainment/movies/secret-hugh-jackmans-success

Secret to Hugh Jackman's success

Jackman (left) and his former acting coach, Mr Carey.PHOTO: ACTORS CENTRE AUSTRALIA

Charmaine Soh
May 27, 2017 06:00 am

Australian actor Hugh Jackman has come a long way since his breakthrough role as Wolverine in the first X-Men film in 2000.

From romantic comedies and action adventures to dramas and thrillers, and even musicals and animation, the 48-year-old has done it all and has become one of the top leading men in Hollywood.
But what is the secret to his success?

According to his former acting teacher Dean Carey, it is Jackman's "say yes" attitude, which the former instilled in him since their first meeting in 1992.

As creative and founding director of drama school Actors Centre Australia (ACA), the 57-year-old Australian has been teaching internationally for over three decades.

In 1992, Jackman had enrolled in ACA's full-time one-year course in Sydney.

Mr Carey told The New Paper: "As a student, Hugh always had a curious mind and always said yes - yes to opportunities, yes to new roles and supporting World Vision, to name a few. He was always hungry for what was next."

This trait is something Jackman, who has been patron of ACA since 2007, has carried with him for over 20 years.
Mr Carey was in town to share more about ACA's collaboration with premium pre-school MindChamps, to offer a drama curriculum for its students aged three to nine, in a bid to bring together theatre and education.
This programme will be launched in the last quarter of this year.

Though the pair mostly keep in touch via e-mail, they try to catch up when Jackman is in Sydney or Mr Carey in New York, where Jackman is based.

Mr Carey's best memory of Jackman as a student was when the latter wanted to perform Stars, one of the songs from the musical Les Miserables, for ACA's singing module.

He said: "I told him it was an extremely tricky song, and it would be really tough. But he was terrific. It was actually my first time hearing him sing, and he rose to the occasion."

Incidentally, Jackman's portrayal of Jean Valjean in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables was Mr Carey's favourite big-screen performance from his ex-student.

He said: "He can dance, sing and act and was really outstanding (in the movie), reflecting his mature, adult side."

"I really liked him in (the 2006 magic-themed mystery thriller) The Prestige as well."

Hugh attended THE ACTOR'S CENTRE before he went to WAAPA ( where he did the drama course, not musical theatre).

Remember the MasterCard ad where Hugh surprises his acting teacher in a class? That is Drew Carey.

I wish we could have seen that version of STARS! His singing coach when he auditioned for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST did not think it fitted Hugh well and he was asked to drop it as an audition song. Hmmm... Hugh is a high baritone but could sing the lower range baritone (some Oklahoma! songs) -- and the song STARS was more of a how a man copes with his rigid life philosophy ( certainly an acting song!) and interpreting those emotions musically. I think his first acting teacher might have been right. Also, when Cameron Mackintosh initially considered him for a role in Les Miserables, it was for the Javert role in the stage production in Australia ( Hugh declined that offer)...and then when they were casting for the film adaptation -- CM thought that Javert could be the better role for him -- except Tom Hooper saw what Hugh Jackman can deliver as an actor first, and how he can do justice to the musical side of the role ( via the live-singing concept that Hooper had in mind). Universal said OK!

I think what Mr. Carey says about Hugh's "Yes attitude" explains why Hugh is always looking for new work and new challenges!

I wonder where his post-Wolverine career will lead to!


Jo

[jo]

A fine compliment --

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

And another side to his versatility --

[jo]

One of his last acting assignments while still a student at WAAPA?

[jo]

Can't copy the photo directly --but this link opens to another photo from the same WAAPA production.


www.google.com.ph/search?q=thark+waapa+1994&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwit7_enz7nZAhVBOJQKHfVJDmgQ_AUICygC&biw=1020&bih=633#imgrc=EetEOvpLV3755M:

Hugh looked decidedly older at that time, with makeup and beard. And doesn't he remind you of Sean Connery in that pose

[jo]

Don't miss his one -- it is a gem!


I found this article on acting teacher Chris Edmund being interviewed re his student Hugh Jackman, but is in French. The translation may not be perfect ( thru Google) but it generally hews to the actual article --

www.dailymars.net/interview-chris-edmund-prof-de-theatre-de-hugh-jackman/

Also, check out the article for two photos of Hugh playing roles in two plays at WAAPA, one of which was THARK.

After our portrait of Jackman published yesterday, second part of our diptych devoted to the actor with a short interview of Chris Edmund, his theater teacher when Hugh was a student at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) of Edith University Cowan, Perth, Australia. Jackman graduated from this school in 1994 and obviously already had the makings of a future star.


What course did you teach when you first met Hugh Jackman?

Chris Edmund: I met him on a course I was running called "The Discovery Play". This is the first room students are working on when they arrive at WAAPA and it is a deliberately difficult piece to identify areas that students will need to improve. In this particular case, the play in question was King Lear, one of the most difficult pieces in the world and I chose Hugh to play King Lear of course! For a beginner he was wonderful. I taught him comedy for three years and I helped him choose his excerpts for the Melbourne and Sydney showcase where the work of the winners is presented to agents and casting directors.


What impression did Jackman give you during his schooling?

At the end of the first week of training, the students present their audition speech and even at this early stage it was obvious that he had energy, class and charisma. He has a natural physical presence and a strong self-awareness, which made him easy to notice.


What kind of student was he?

Completely focused and committed. He never missed a single class and he was always prepared. He was approaching his training in a truly mature and positive way. His playing has evolved over the years and by the time he graduated he had played in a wide variety of plays, from Shakespeare to Brian Friel (I directed it in Friel's Translations, where he played brilliantly an old man) .


However, he often said in an interview that he had taken time to trust himself as a comedian ...

This is common to many actors. There is always this insecurity that comes up frequently over a career. I read that the night before his rehearsals for Les Miserables, he was in a panic of lack of self-confidence. It never leaves an artist regardless of its status and it is inseparable from exposure to public opinion.


But had you already found something at home that could make you imagine the star he was going to become?

Apart from his talent, he had a character for that. Many actors have the talent but few have the temperament needed to succeed. The ability to handle the stress of the world of comedy, while remaining sensitive and courageous. To know how to manage the rejection and all the dark side of this job. Hugh had it all, so I'm not surprised!


What did you think of him in the first X-Men?

I found it very good, he appropriated the role. I know it was not a restful ballad for him at times but with a lot of courage and concentration he worked the script and the character until he felt right, I was proud of him .

And what do you think are his best roles to date?

Les Miserables, it was wonderful. When the camera is so close and you take a closer look at it, you can not cheat and it's a wonderfully fair performance. I also loved Prisoners for the same reason, the truth of his game, a quality more valuable than anything to me and for which I hope his training played a role.


Have you stayed in touch?

We send emails regularly, I came to see him twice in New York. I recently did some painting and commented on my work (which he likes!). I met him in London and he sent a very nice filmed tribute to my work when I left WAAPA after 25 years. I am sure we will always stay in touch and hear about our lives and careers.

This is the other photo - Hugh in another play at WAAPA and looking much younger this time


www.google.com.ph/search?q=hugh+jackman+waapa&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiM-ajN3bnZAhWINpQKHWZ-DcYQ_AUICigB&biw=1020&bih=633#imgrc=7xdpcosKQCxMQM:


Jo

[jo]

An earlier interview on CNN was posted on another thread - for one, I thought it was part of the promotion for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, albeit unusually late.

Hugh Jackman was chosen with 8 other distinguished creative people involved in film-making to be in a CNN series called CREATORS!


edition.cnn.com/2018/02/23/entertainment/applenews-creators-2018/index.html

Nine influential filmmakers talk about creating movies that matter
By Sandra Gonzalez, CNN
Updated 1536 GMT (2336 HKT) February 23, 2018

Hugh Jackman
Jackman gave an iconic character a moving curtain call and still had time to be a great showman.

(CNN)Over three months beginning in October, CNN Entertainment sat down with Steven Spielberg, Jessica Chastain, Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele and other storytellers to talk about filmmaking and creativity for CNN's award season series, Creators.

We launched the initiative a year ago. The goal is to highlight and celebrate the filmmakers, actors and producers who bring to life the stories that move, inspire and excite us.

Patty Jenkins, the director of "Wonder Woman," was the first person interviewed for this season of Creators. Our chat took place days after the first round of allegations were made against the now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

At the time, the significance of that moment was only beginning to settle in.


Each week that followed was marked by more allegations against other prominent people. Reaction turned into action, reflection and hope for a better future in Hollywood and elsewhere.

One screenwriter told me: "I don't think it's been a rocky year for Hollywood; I think it's been a great year for Hollywood. The resetting here is a great thing. I think we are getting rid of a lot of people who have been doing a lot of bad things a long time."

Some called it a reckoning, others a tipping point. The label matters less than what the movement's birth will mean for workplace cultures.

Big and important questions about women in entertainment and filmmaking are now a part of the conversation -- how they are treated, the opportunities they get, and what stories get told.

Those are some of the subjects that came up in this year's Creators interviews.

The nine Creators our team spoke with -- Kumail Nanjiani, Aaron Sorkin, George Clooney and Hugh Jackman, in addition to Chastain, Jenkins, Peele, Gerwig and Spielberg -- represent some of Hollywood's best and brightest creative minds.

What an honor that Hugh Jackman has been recognized among these creative movers and shakers in Hollywood! This is an acknowledgement from a major media institution ( which reaches all the ends of the earth, more than the USA national networks) that Hugh Jackman is an excellent exponent of the art of acting! That the AMPAS failed to acknowledge this is their shortcoming!

Hugh should have been the frontrunner actor for this year's awards season! Three of this year's nominees are acting institutions but did their work this year represent their best work? No offense meant --- but can Gary Oldman or Timothee Chalamet or Daniel DayLewis, or Daniel Kaluuya or Denzel Washington exhibit the kind of in-depth talent and versatility that Jackman showed the world this season? DDLewis tried to do the same with NINE but that was not at all well-received ( nor seen by many interested moviegoers). Denzel Washington is also multi-awarded but nowhere can he show any singing and dancing skills on film or stage nor were too many impressed with this year's nominated role. Gary Oldman is a favorite but again his biographical take on such a powerful historical figure had more to do with makeup and mimicry... As for Kaluuya and Chalamet - they are more like the representatives of social issues that Hollywood is trying to say they are proud exponents of!

As to why Clooney is among the influential creators, especially for this season -- that has left me more with questions than nods.

Please use the link to see the Jackman interview.


PS: I think the earlier clip ( which would play only up to the 30th minute the last time I played it ) -- I think that was a separate one, which Jess Cargle did for CNN, too. Here it is --

people.com/peopletv/video/bs/00000160-7199-df90-a7e0-759df2b40000/hugh-jackman/


Jo

[jo]