Ali's acting skills - Page 2 - Digital Spy Forums

Ali's acting skills

2 of 2

*Janz*

08-12-2009

Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“It often happens that soap characters far from acting simply play themselves, which is probably why, when they seek pastures new, very few succeed. In interview many come across with accent and inflection identical to their soap character - thus being called on to act the dance leaves them seriously lacking in aptitude.

The one person I thought most promising in this aspect of dance was Jade - an athlete not an actor.”

I can't quite agree with you on the part about soap actors not being able to portray the characterisation of the dance - i know they're not from this series, but Matt Di Angelo and Letitia Dean, i thought, did this to quite a high standard (I'm thinking of Matt's Salsa and Letitia's Paso here, just to name one).

Veri

08-12-2009

Originally Posted by Sallyforth:
“I reckon having a real theme and backstory to the dance could help any of them but at the same time the general mood, music, costumes also set the tone. Ali seems to me in the dancing to struggle with anything requiring "negative" emotions such as anger, jealousy, aggression, and with sensuality she seems very self- conscious. Again I haven't seen her acting formally so I am not sure to what extent this is an issue when she is doing so, but of course it is a different context.”

I don't think any of them have done a good job with anger, jealousy or aggression or any other negative emotion anyone might suggest. Nor have any of them done well with sensuality.

None of the ones who supposedly "perform" the dances well actually do. Their acting is poor. Often the best they can manage is some exaggerated expression that is only tangentially connected to something that would suit the dance.

I suspect that one one the main reasons people think Ali has a problem with Latin dances, or with aggression, or whatever it's supposed to be, is that the show tells them this, in one way or another, almost every week. People then look at her dancing differently. Even I do, and I like her (and know about the effect).

Some of her Latin dances have been pretty good, especially when the difficulty of the choreography and / or injuries are taken into account. Unfortunately, we'll then get someone like Len complaining because it's not to his personal taste.

I'm not saying there isn't any problem with her performances, but I think the problems are different than a lot of people seem to be saying. I think that - either out of nervousness or because she's concentrating on the choreography - she seldom looks like she's really enjoying herself; and she seems nervous at times in most of her dances. Also, she's a tv actress, not a stage one; and what a lot of people now expect in SCD is OTT theatrical "performances", especially in some of the Latin dances.

Veri

08-12-2009

Originally Posted by RichmondBlue:
“Perhaps it's Brian ? I cannot see how difficult it can be at this stage to coach an actress to get into character. ”

If there isn't a character to get into ...?

(And let's not confuse the so-called "character" of a dance with a character an actor would would be playing or would get into.)

Quote:
“To begin with there was a good excuse, Ali would have been concentrating on her footwork, arms, head position etc..but at this stage, slipping into character should be almost second nature. In fact, even us mere mortals do it when dancing, most of us will listen to the music and "act" accordingly..well, we give it our best shot anyway. ”

Us mere mortals aren't being judged and don't have such difficult choreography.

Monkseal

08-12-2009

Originally Posted by Veri:
“ Some of her Latin dances have been pretty good, especially when the difficulty of the choreography and / or injuries are taken into account. Unfortunately, we'll then get someone like Len complaining because it's not to his personal taste.”

I still really like her salsa, and think it's one of the best ones we've seen on the show - especially from a woman. It's odd because there was at least a 50-50 consensus at the time that she (and Jade) were undermarked for it, when compared to Ricky's "could be barely be bothered" effort, complete with backflip.

Except now it's so much backwash in the "Ali can't do Latin" narrative.

sofakat

08-12-2009

Originally Posted by missfrankiecat:
“On the evidence of her (in)ability to act the dances and the nature of the shows she's appeared in, I'd say she isn't going to be up for an Olivier any time soon. She'd be a good model though.”

I think her ears might get in the way of a modelling career

She could do panto though, and musicals?

alexgr

08-12-2009

I believe a requirement of musicals is that you are able to sing, an ability Ali herself has said she lacks.

2 of 2