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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Heathen72" data-source="post: 348306" data-attributes="member: 7029">What, and a "serious actor" doesn't know how to be funny? What Codswallop! Having done more than my fair share of comedy and having worked with all types of actors (Both hammy and "serious") I can safely say that there is a difference between a comic actor and a hammy actor.  What's more, a comic actor can approach his profession very "seriously" and still give you a good laugh.  Hammy actors are for the most part just plain selfish. They aren't interested in giving the audience a good time; they just want lots of attention.  It's very self indulgent - They are basically masturbating (I acknowledge that this is a crude analogy but I feel it isn't gratuitous).Yes, hammy actors can be big, and they can be extravagant, and this can be exciting for inexperienced actors to watch, because they are afraid of taking these big risks. Unfortunately there is no foundation of truth in a ham's performance - just exaggerated bad decisions. Good actors know when to be larger than life, and when to be extravagant, but they know when a scene requires subtlety and have that gift that most hams lack - the ability to LISTEN.  Big Reactions are funny, true - but they are even funnier when they are an exaggeration of a good impulse and aren't just a stock rolling of the eyes, waving of the arms and so on. Hams aren't interested in other actors, (they view them as walking props only there to make them look good) and their essential motive in performance isn't to give the audience a good time, but to receive their applause.  The same goes for improvisation. The best work is achieved by performers striving to make their fellow performer look good. Truly generous performers are a joy to watch - and a joy to perform with.Next time you roleplay, try this: Take the focus off yourself, and your characterisation, and focus on giving your fellow players (and GM) as good a time as possible. Make them look good. If everyone did this everyone would have a better time.</blockquote>

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