Actor's Imput

[hoosier]

I was re-watching one of Kenina's videos today and noticed for the first time what looks like a statue of a knight on Fisk's desk. It is in the Pilot when he is speaking to Jim on his first day back. Just a quick pan, its there by the pencil holder--or its part of the pencil holder.

There have been some comments about the bobble-head on Tom's desk and the various family photos (such as Jim knocked over when he perched on Marty's desk--and which evidently was a real family photo of his!) and other pictures you see , and other personal items either seen at the desks or in the lockers. How much of it can be attributed to the writer's imput, giving the character a history/ background so the actor could have something to play with and how much was it the actor giving some personality to the character, fleshing out him/her out so to speak ? Do you think they actually wrote in that Fisk liked fresh flowers or was that something Michael Gaston put in? Was Tom's wardrobe the writer's idea or Reno Wilson's??? Or did they just let the actor's have free run of the prop department and let them accessorize their character's personal space?

Writers create the framework and actors breath life into the character. Writers have the idea in their head of how it should work (nod of the head to GB) but actors have to interpret that idea. How much leeway did the actors have in the development of their character or was it pretty well written in stone? Rambling thoughts after noticing one little thing in a video!

[awlrite4now]

I would think most of it would be stuff the set designer suggested. In the TV Guide preview show, the interviewer is commenting on the pics of Rena Sofer in the Dunbar house, and she made some offhand remark of how she didn't really want to pose for that picture that day, but they needed some for props. Just a guess.

[Katryna]

hoosier said:

There have been some comments about the bobble-head on Tom's desk and the various family photos (such as Jim knocked over when he perched on Marty's desk--and which evidently was a real family photo of his!) and other pictures you see , and other personal items either seen at the desks or in the lockers. How much of it can be attributed to the writer's imput, giving the character a history/ background so the actor could have something to play with and how much was it the actor giving some personality to the character, fleshing out him/her out so to speak ?

I am glad that I found this thread! Tonight I watched Rub a Tub Tub. In that episode we find Jim sitting at Mary Beth's dining table with a plate of cookies.



Shortly thereafter we find him in Galloway's office where Galloway tells Jim that how confident he feels at work is no longer a topic of discussion. He tells Jim: "Pick something else, Anything else." and Jim replies: "Okay. I like chocolate chip cookies."



The fact that at least some of the casual clothing worn in the 13 episodes that we saw belonged to the cast members has already been discussed. It is fairly certain that the black v-neck long-sleeved T-shirt worn at dance class by Jim



is one of the (hopefully) many that Mr. Eldard owns.



Ted's black leather jacket (Oh, no - that dog hair again!)



was confirmed to have been worn by Mr. Eldard on May 6 by several people who had the honor of chatting outside the stage door with him.



And who would doubt that the speedbag scene in Fancy Footwork was added because of Mr. Eldard's proficiency in the boxing ring. (sorry, no pics of RE in the ring. Instead, I'll insert two of Jimmy with the speedbag. Hope no one minds.)




So, back to the chocolate chip cookies...

Therefore, I am wondering if Mr. Eldard, in fact, enjoys a good chocolate chip cookie himself from time to time. And perhaps that response was something he inserted himself.

[Deleted]

kathy said:

hoosier said:

So, back to the chocolate chip cookies...

Therefore, I am wondering if Mr. Eldard, in fact, enjoys a good chocolate chip cookie himself from time to time. And perhaps that response was something he inserted himself.

Could have been, since I know he frequented a fabulous bakery on the Upper West Side for cookies (and their cookies are UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!)

[hoosier]

divinemrse said:

kathy said:

hoosier said:

So, back to the chocolate chip cookies...

Therefore, I am wondering if Mr. Eldard, in fact, enjoys a good chocolate chip cookie himself from time to time. And perhaps that response was something he inserted himself.

Could have been, since I know he frequented a fabulous bakery on the Upper West Side for cookies (and their cookies are UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!)

Ha! I knew it!

[Duchess of Lashes]

divinemrse said:

kathy said:

Could have been, since I know he frequented a fabulous bakery on the Upper West Side for cookies (and their cookies are UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!)

I wondered about that too - and how many other dimensions of Jim Dunbar were actually more dimensions of Ron! And now I'm also wondering, if Ron really does love his chocolate chip cookies, does that also mean he and Jim share the same love of brewskies? Cause there were an awful lot of those in Jim's fridge!

[Deleted]

Well.....since you mentioned it...... (tee-hee!)

There was one time we ran into each other when I was heading back to the office; we chewed the fat and he expressed some concern about his voice not being right; we discussed the remedies we both do (tea/honey/lemon) and I asked him if he had smoked that day. He said no, but when he "drinks the night before..."

Hmmm.......

[bluedelft]

divinemrse said:

Well.....since you mentioned it...... (tee-hee!)

Bit O/T that is so Barb and when I read it I could just hear her saying it.

Back on topic - if you look closely at the photo on Marty's desk that is Frank with his oldest son.

[hoosier]

Wonder if Marisol Nichols has a thing for big chunky rings. Some of Karen's were real doozies. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a knuckle sandwich--it would leave a scar ala the Phantom!