The Involuntary Dance: child actors, fidgeting and authenticity

Lury, K. (2018) The Involuntary Dance: child actors, fidgeting and authenticity. In: Henzler, B. and Pauleit, W. (eds.) Childhood, Cinema and Film Aesthetics. Bertz + Fischer: Berlin, pp. 85-100. ISBN 9783865052575

Abstract

This essay examines the performance of good and bad child actors using a number of examples from popular cinema. It reflects upon the importance and appearance of 'fidgeting' as a mode of behaviour associated with childhood and which is often absent from child performances that are deemed to be inadequate. Using the example of Victoire Thivisol from Ponette it then examines a good child performance demonstrating the importance of time and improvisation for the child actor on the film set.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lury, Professor Karen
• Authors: Lury, K.
• Subjects: N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Theatre Film and TV Studies
• Publisher: Bertz + Fischer
• ISBN: 9783865052575