Cinema vs Theatre. Perhaps it would be possible to divide all the people into two kinds: those who is fond of theatre and those who prefer cinema. Though these two genres have something in common, th

Liza

Cinema vs Theatre. Perhaps it would be possible to divide all the people into two kinds: those who is fond of theatre and those who prefer cinema. Though these two genres have something in common, there’s no less difference between them. As for me, I’m definitely a cinema-lover, and I don’t like theatre at all. Of course, it’s only my subjective opinion, and it doesn’t claim to be the absolute truth, by no means. So, theatregoers, no hard feelings, plz :) Well, why do I love cinema so much, and dislike theatre… Have you ever noticed how mightily differs a style of play of the same actor in movies and onstage? Cinema and Theatre have totally different means to convey emotions. In Theatre, in order that all the spectators, even on the farthest rows, should hear, understand and feel deeply everything going on onstage, actors have to increase considerably the degree of emotions. Besides, due to the lack of other means (such as fast change of a background, for example, and many others), all load of spectator’s attention weighs upon the actors. So they are compelled to be very active, laud, mobile, their gestures must be sweeping and expressive, in order to hold the spectator’s attention. For example, to convey the deep sorrow of a character, in cinema it may be enough to make a close shot of the actor’s eyes, or maybe to show his dark silhouette against the window with heavy rain going there (or something like that), to accompany the scene with the appropriate music, and so on. But to convey the same feeling onstage, the actor would fall on his knees, wring his hands, maybe scream at the top of his voice. Sometimes actors even are rolling on the floor, and do other strange things. However many times I tried to watch theatrical performances, I find myself to be not ready to accept these conventionalities of play. Even when I meet people who in real life behave this way, they annoy me frightfully, and sooner their behavior reminds me theatre than theatrical play resembles real life with real emotions. Whereas when watching movies, I believe in everything going on there. I don’t see the actors, I see the characters, and I sincerely empathize them. And what do you prefer?

Sep 29, 2011 5:56 PM

Corrections · 3

Perhaps it would be possible to divide all the people into two kinds: those who are fond of theatre and those who prefer cinema. Though these two genres have something in common, there’s no less difference between them. As for me, I’m definitely a cinema-lover, and I don’t like theatre at all. Of course, it’s only my subjective opinion, and it doesn’t claim to be the absolute truth, by no means. So, theatregoers, no hard feelings, plz :)
Well, why do I love cinema so much, and dislike theatre…
Have you ever noticed how mightily differs the style of play of the same actor in movies and onstage? Cinema and Theatre have totally different means to convey emotions. In Theatre, in order that all the spectators, even in the farthest rows, should hear, understand, and feel deeply everything going on onstage, actors have to increase considerably the degree of emotions. Besides, due to the lack of other means (such as fast change of a background, for example, and many others), all the load of spectator’s attention weighs upon the actors. So they are compelled to be very active, loud, mobile, and their gestures must be sweeping and expressive, in order to hold the spectator’s attention.
For example, to convey the deep sorrow of a character, in cinema it may be enough to make a close shot of the actor’s eyes, or maybe to show his dark silhouette against the window with heavy rain falling there (or something like that), to accompany the scene with the appropriate music, and so on.
But to convey the same feeling onstage, the actor would fall on his knees, wring his hands, maybe scream at the top of his voice. Sometimes actors even roll on the floor, and do other strange things.
However many times I tried to watch theatrical performances, I find myself to be not ready to accept these conventionalities of play. Even when I meet people who in real life behave this way, they annoy me frightfully, and sooner their behavior reminds me of theatre than theatrical play resembles real life with real emotions. Whereas, when watching movies, I believe in everything going on there. I don’t see the actors, I see the characters, and I sincerely empathize with them.
And what do you prefer?

A very interesting essay, Lisa...I agree with you that cinema sometimes seems closer to real life than the theatre. On the other hand, there is a quality of the live human voice that is lost in the cinema. As for me, I prefer opera and ballet to theatre because the exagerration of emotions is expected there. I am often moved to tears by the opera. Sometimes when I am watching a theatrical performance I say to myself, "This would be better if they sang it." :)

If you have any questions about the small corrections made, send me a message and I will explain in full.

denis

October 3, 2011

I love cinema, I also love theatre. As you said, they are different arts actually. So we cannot make a choice between them. I mostly prefer watching movies at home, I don't need to go to cinema. But watching a play is something different, you should be there with actors, you should join that atmosphere.

September 29, 2011

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