Is losing weight for a role essential? (1 Viewer)

[seungfloral]

I just saw an article about an actress losing weight till she was 37 kgs. She was portraying someone with an eating disorder.

I know actors like to use method acting or really do a lot of extreme transformations for their roles but i think some of these are too extreme. Like in some of these cases with Joachim Pheonix and others. Malnutrition can also cause damage to the organs.

I think there could be another way to portray eating disorders. It's not like the audience is so dumb they can't figure it out???

 

[athenaaa]

I don’t like the idea of losing weight for a role. Especially in this case because it could encourage an eating disorder. And eating disorders are unfortunately already common in the industry

 

[gone4good]

It's borderline ludicrous. But it's the human nature, we're all money slaves.

 

[Ahsoka]

To that extent is way too far. There’s clear dangers, physically and mentally, associated with being that underweight. That’s one of the reasons people with eating disorders are medically treated. So why go that far if it’s not 100% needed? I’m sure there are things you can use, like makeup or after effects that would achieve sufficient results. I don’t know the characters story and whatnot but you don’t have to look like that to have an eating disorder anyways, though I get its for film and that many people probably assume people with eating disorders all look just like that.

 

[Pirioca]

I guess doctors told all those stars and starlets about the problems of challenging their metabolism that way. They risk their health for another villa, another sports car, another luxury yacht. Sorry for my lack of pity in this case.

 

[Selfmate]

I guess I differ from the above in that acting roles require certain qualities or characteristics

it might be gender - race - age - height etc etc

why would weight be any different? furthermore the actor/actress in question know that they are required to put on or lose certain amount of weight prior to accepting such roles therefore they bear the burden of such

 

[seungfloral]

I don’t like the idea of losing weight for a role. Especially in this case because it could encourage an eating disorder. And eating disorders are unfortunately already common in the industry

Me neither, getting an eating disorder to portray an eating disorder

It's borderline ludicrous. But it's the human nature, we're all money slaves.

I wish we weren't

To that extent is way too far. There’s clear dangers, physically and mentally, associated with being that underweight. That’s one of the reasons people with eating disorders are medically treated. So why go that far if it’s not 100% needed? I’m sure there are things you can use, like makeup or after effects that would achieve sufficient results. I don’t know the characters story and whatnot but you don’t have to look like that to have an eating disorder anyways, though I get its for film and that many people probably assume people with eating disorders all look just like that.

They could use make up or bigger clothes, it makes no sense someone has to be 37 kgs and 163 cms

I guess doctors told all those stars and starlets about the problems of challenging their metabolism that way. They risk their health for another villa, another sports car, another luxury yacht. Sorry for my lack of pity in this case.

Well i'm not saying i pity them, just that it's insane.

I guess I differ from the above in that acting roles require certain qualities or characteristics

it might be gender - race - age - height etc etc

why would weight be any different? furthermore the actor/actress in question know that they are required to put on or lose certain amount of weight prior to accepting such roles therefore they bear the burden of such

That's bs, they don't care about that anymore, different type of races and ages and heights already play roles not meant for them and ppl don't care. Ex. that snow white movie with an actress with a darker complexion, and it's not the end of the world.

Yeah maybe losing some weight is neccessary , but to 37 kgs? Tell me how does it help your movie to starve your actors to the weight of a 5th grader at 20 something?

 

[Selfmate]

That's bs, they don't care about that anymore, different type of races and ages and heights already play roles not meant for them and ppl don't care. Ex. that snow white movie with an actress with a darker complexion, and it's not the end of the world.

Yeah maybe losing some weight is neccessary , but to 37 kgs? Tell me how does it help your movie to starve your actors to the weight of a 5th grader at 20 something?

that might be BS to me as well but neither you nor I are the actors in question going for the role...
it's certainly not a role that I would take would I be an actor however there might be some that are up for such a role...

the snow white movie is currently subject to a lot of criticism from certain people - ultimate the box office numbers will tell the story since it's too early to judge without seeing the whole movie

in terms of roles for races and ages generally - I disagree since there are certain roles that do require specific characteristics for example mulan is a chinese movie and it would be highly disingenuous to have a non-chinese person as mulan
same as if they tried to make a movie out of rosa parks or MLK etc and cast a non-african american

 

[Pirioca]

Yeah maybe losing some weight is neccessary , but to 37 kgs? Tell me how does it help your movie to starve your actors to the weight of a 5th grader at 20 something?

Almost unbelievable, but true: Christian Bale lost 60 pounds for 'The Machinist' because of a typo.

'The writer is only about five-foot-six, and he put his own weights in,' Ironside said. 'And then Chris did the film and Chris said, ‘No, don’t change the weights. I want to see if I make them.’ ... So those weights he writes on the bathroom wall in the film are his actual weights in the film.'

Typo led to Christian Bale dropping 60 pounds for 'The Machinist'

Christian Bale stunned audiences when he appeared 60 pounds lighter in the psychological thriller, 'The Machinist,' but a co-star says the radical transformation wasn't originally in the script.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[seungfloral]

that might be BS to me as well but neither you nor I are the actors in question going for the role...
it's certainly not a role that I would take would I be an actor however there might be some that are up for such a role...

the snow white movie is currently subject to a lot of criticism from certain people - ultimate the box office numbers will tell the story since it's too early to judge without seeing the whole movie

in terms of roles for races and ages generally - I disagree since there are certain roles that do require specific characteristics for example mulan is a chinese movie and it would be highly disingenuous to have a non-chinese person as mulan
same as if they tried to make a movie out of rosa parks or MLK etc and cast a non-african american

Yeah but noone would do that these days in hollywood in fear of being cancelled, and tbh i personally more thought about physical extreme transformations

 

[seungfloral]

Almost unbelievable, but true: Christian Bale lost 60 pounds for 'The Machinist' because of a typo.

Typo led to Christian Bale dropping 60 pounds for 'The Machinist'

Christian Bale stunned audiences when he appeared 60 pounds lighter in the psychological thriller, 'The Machinist,' but a co-star says the radical transformation wasn't originally in the script.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Dude seems to like those challenges...

 

[Pirioca]

Dude seems to like those challenges...

Yep! It seems he has a different weight in almost every movie.

 

[seungfloral]

Yep! It seems he has a different weight in almost every movie.

Lucky him, i breathe air and gain weight

 

[Ahsoka]

I guess I differ from the above in that acting roles require certain qualities or characteristics

it might be gender - race - age - height etc etc

why would weight be any different? furthermore the actor/actress in question know that they are required to put on or lose certain amount of weight prior to accepting such roles therefore they bear the burden of such

I feel like it’s a different case because being that underweight presents a health risk to the person in question. Race, age, and height generally don’t, and if they do then it’s till not things that they could avoid because it’s based on genetics and when you’re born mostly. I think a better comparison is if the actor plays a role of a character who self harms, and they opt to actually self harm rather than to use makeup to make it look like they do. Would you argue that they should self harm to be authentic also when it’s not absolutely required?

 

[Selfmate]

I feel like it’s a different case because being that underweight presents a health risk to the person in question. Race, age, and height generally don’t, and if they do then it’s till not things that they could avoid because it’s based on genetics and when you’re born mostly. I think a better comparison is if the actor plays a role of a character who self harms, and they opt to actually self harm rather than to use makeup to make it look like they do. Would you argue that they should self harm to be authentic also when it’s not absolutely required?

my argument would be that it's their choice to do so...
unless the company is forcing them to do so which I have an issue with

everybody takes a job especially top actors should have information pertaining to what is required prior to said role

maybe there's violence, or nudity or racial issues or whatever
if an actor isn't comfortable with such then they have no requirement to take the role - if they want to take the role because of increased realism or greater chance of expanding their range or money or whatever then they have every right to do so
if a company tricks a person into saying well there's no nudity but then forces an actor to do so then I would have an issue with that - the question then whether said actor has enough bargaining power to refuse is a separate issue

turning back to weight and self harm - very sensitive issues I can understand however such roles are meant to tough and gritty but no one is forcing the actor to undertake said roles - but maybe someone else does????

 

[Ahsoka]

my argument would be that it's their choice to do so...
unless the company is forcing them to do so which I have an issue with

everybody takes a job especially top actors should have information pertaining to what is required prior to said role

maybe there's violence, or nudity or racial issues or whatever
if an actor isn't comfortable with such then they have no requirement to take the role - if they want to take the role because of increased realism or greater chance of expanding their range or money or whatever then they have every right to do so
if a company tricks a person into saying well there's no nudity but then forces an actor to do so then I would have an issue with that - the question then whether said actor has enough bargaining power to refuse is a separate issue

turning back to weight and self harm - very sensitive issues I can understand however such roles are meant to tough and gritty but no one is forcing the actor to undertake said roles - but maybe someone else does????

Im not saying that they necessarily forced him, they probably didn’t though I don’t know anything about that side. But I do still think it’s a bad idea no matter who made the decision, and I don’t think actors should be at all encouraged to go this far for a role, regardless of if it’s a requirement, somewhat encouraged, or 100% their choice. Also there can be a slippery slope where even if he wasn’t at all encouraged, it doesn’t mean that other directors can’t look at this and require more intense dieting of actors, and point to this to show it’s possible and fine. And there’s different types of force that you can use. If something isn’t “required” on paper, but you know you have no chance if you don’t, then it’s kind of required right? If it’s not required, but you know it could give a little edge, and you need every edge you can get, then you very well could view it as required right, even if not explicitly? You could pass up on the role completely, but what if your pickings are slim as is? You could be passing up on a life changing moment for all you know, and I’m sure actors take on uncomfortable roles all too often, especially if they’re not big actors and they need some successful, and even crazy, parts in order to get known.

Tl:dr; the line between forced and completely free will will always be blurred when money is on the line, especially in positions where you yourself lack power, and my issue isn’t with this one isolated incident but the overall premise of going this far for an acting role. Also doesn’t help that celebrities almost always have unrealistic and often unhealthy expectations placed on them for what they can and should do in regards to weight and appearance, because of the public eye.

 

[Selfmate]

Im not saying that they necessarily forced him, they probably didn’t though I don’t know anything about that side. But I do still think it’s a bad idea no matter who made the decision, and I don’t think actors should be at all encouraged to go this far for a role, regardless of if it’s a requirement, somewhat encouraged, or 100% their choice. Also there can be a slippery slope where even if he wasn’t at all encouraged, it doesn’t mean that other directors can’t look at this and require more intense dieting of actors, and point to this to show it’s possible and fine. And there’s different types of force that you can use. If something isn’t “required” on paper, but you know you have no chance if you don’t, then it’s kind of required right? If it’s not required, but you know it could give a little edge, and you need every edge you can get, then you very well could view it as required right, even if not explicitly? You could pass up on the role completely, but what if your pickings are slim as is? You could be passing up on a life changing moment for all you know, and I’m sure actors take on uncomfortable roles all too often, especially if they’re not big actors and they need some successful, and even crazy, parts in order to get known.

Tl:dr; the line between forced and completely free will will always be blurred when money is on the line, especially in positions where you yourself lack power, and my issue isn’t with this one isolated incident but the overall premise of going this far for an acting role. Also doesn’t help that celebrities almost always have unrealistic and often unhealthy expectations placed on them for what they can and should do in regards to weight and appearance, because of the public eye.

but that's on the entertainment industry and bargaining power and hustling no? it's not related specifically to dieting and weight lose...if you are hustling for roles because you are young then that's as a result of your personal circumstances. If you said there is a gross mis-balance of power in the entertainment industry (across the world kpop included) then I would say sure I agree completely but what is one going to do about it? Be the change you want to be OR change yourself to fit according to the status quo...If one doesn't like the industry or the unreal expectations then LEAVE or not get in it at all (my similar thoughts apply to the kpop industry)

this is where I think I differ from maybe yours or OP's positions - I completely understand what you are saying however money and power just adds another element in the decision making process. One still has free will except that it has to be balanced by the money and power and one's personal circumstances. You talk about lacking money/power but that's not unique to the entertainment industry - in literally every business and corporations around the world - no individual starting out (that isn't a nepo baby) has the money/power - you're new and inexperienced they are big and established - that's being the world since the caveman times - stronger = more power = more food = better chance of survival etc etc.

life is unfair - some people are prettier and smarter and richer etc etc. If a female actress constantly thinks damn I wish had the face and big boobs like Sydney Sweeney then they will never get ahead...you gotta make the most of your circumstances and what you are given

 

[Ahsoka]

but that's on the entertainment industry and bargaining power and hustling no? it's not related specifically to dieting and weight lose...if you are hustling for roles because you are young then that's as a result of your personal circumstances. If you said there is a gross mis-balance of power in the entertainment industry (across the world kpop included) then I would say sure I agree completely but what is one going to do about it? Be the change you want to be OR change yourself to fit according to the status quo...If one doesn't like the industry or the unreal expectations then LEAVE or not get in it at all (my similar thoughts apply to the kpop industry)

this is where I think I differ from maybe yours or OP's positions - I completely understand what you are saying however money and power just adds another element in the decision making process. One still has free will except that it has to be balanced by the money and power and one's personal circumstances. You talk about lacking money/power but that's not unique to the entertainment industry - in literally every business and corporations around the world - no individual starting out (that isn't a nepo baby) has the money/power - you're new and inexperienced they are big and established - that's being the world since the caveman times - stronger = more power = more food = better chance of survival etc etc.

life is unfair - some people are prettier and smarter and richer etc etc. If a female actress constantly thinks damn I wish had the face and big boobs like Sydney Sweeney then they will never get ahead...you gotta make the most of your circumstances and what you are given

It’s not unique to the entertainment industry but I wouldn’t consider any industry having workers do things that are widely accepted as unhealthy as part of the job a good idea unless it was an actual necessity that couldn’t be done in any other way with major benefits. A search and rescue team being in danger on search and rescue missions? That’s understandable because someone’s life is at risk and sometimes there aren’t ways to rescue them without danger to others. And even then danger to themselves should be minimized, and if there are procedures that are badly implemented and cause danger to anyone they should change those. But starving yourself to an unhealthy point for a role when there are absolutely ways to achieve the effect otherwise? It’s the unnecessary nature of it and the fact that there would be alternatives that that makes it hard for me to say this is just fine and nothing about it deserves questioning. As for the whole be the change you want to see or don’t say anything that’s a hard no, along with the idea of if you don’t like it just leave. Yes the world is unfair, yes it’s unfair in many ways, yes some of those ways are more visible than others, but I really can’t agree with the mentality of “it sucks so that’s just how it is”. History will show you that conditions can and do improve for people. Actively campaigning is way better than typing comments on the internet, I don’t deny that, but always saying nothing is even worse. I’m not expecting my own posts to have any effect on the entertainment industry at all and that was never my point. But I think it was a bad idea, so I’m going to say that. Not to have an effect or save people from misery, but just because I think people shouldn’t do things like that.

 

[Selfmate]

It’s not unique to the entertainment industry but I wouldn’t consider any industry having workers do things that are widely accepted as unhealthy as part of the job a good idea unless it was an actual necessity that couldn’t be done in any other way with major benefits. A search and rescue team being in danger on search and rescue missions? That’s understandable because someone’s life is at risk and sometimes there aren’t ways to rescue them without danger to others. And even then danger to themselves should be minimized, and if there are procedures that are badly implemented and cause danger to anyone they should change those. But starving yourself to an unhealthy point for a role when there are absolutely ways to achieve the effect otherwise? It’s the unnecessary nature of it and the fact that there would be alternatives that that makes it hard for me to say this is just fine and nothing about it deserves questioning.

As for the whole be the change you want to see or don’t say anything that’s a hard no, along with the idea of if you don’t like it just leave. Yes the world is unfair, yes it’s unfair in many ways, yes some of those ways are more visible than others, but I really can’t agree with the mentality of “it sucks so that’s just how it is”. History will show you that conditions can and do improve for people. Actively campaigning is way better than typing comments on the internet, I don’t deny that, but always saying nothing is even worse. I’m not expecting my own posts to have any effect on the entertainment industry at all and that was never my point. But I think it was a bad idea, so I’m going to say that. Not to have an effect or save people from misery, but just because I think people shouldn’t do things like that.

para 1 - I'm certain starving oneself for the role may not be necessary but again that's up to the individual to decide if such a role is for them or not. I wouldn't do it and it seems you wouldn't do it but some person might want to do it - if a person is willing and able and isn't be forced (maybe you and I differ as to what is forced vs personal situation) why shouldn't they be able to do it. Like in life there are many things which I (and maybe you) wouldn't do or try but there are people who would - isn't it up to the individual to decide whether such things are accept to them (obviously I'm not talking about breaking the law or such). Whether it is unnecessary or not should be determined by the individual no? collectively most of us live in a democracy where for the most part the laws are there designed to help society as a whole ("mostly" lol) and thus whether something is necessary or unnecessarily (but not illegal) is a personal decision no - who are you and I to dictate what someone else considers necessary or unnecessarily

isn't that the problem with a lot of things in society that a lot of things certain people (or certain groups) consider necessary or unnecessarily and then force those views on others (abortion, LGBT rights, etc). Again my personal views on the matter shouldn't dictate what others who have a different opinion to me do with their bodies. If you asked me - selfie do you think it's neccessary for a person to lose massive amounts of weight down to 37kgs - I would say no BUT I also wouldn't stop said actress from doing so. That person hopefully being of sound mind can make her own decisions contrary to what I find neccessary or not

para 2 - I completely agree with you and if you or someone else wishes to fight the hard fight - I'm all for it but that's not me. I don't have anything against said person from doing so but doing so has consequences and one must bear those consequences for standing up for onself or what one deeems right...again that's not me - you can call me a coward or weak but I gotta look after my own interests and my family and I literally cannot afford to stand up to the status quo so I choose to maintain the status quo and live within it

 

[Ahsoka]

para 1 - I'm certain starving oneself for the role may not be necessary but again that's up to the individual to decide if such a role is for them or not. I wouldn't do it and it seems you wouldn't do it but some person might want to do it - if a person is willing and able and isn't be forced (maybe you and I differ as to what is forced vs personal situation) why shouldn't they be able to do it. Like in life there are many things which I (and maybe you) wouldn't do or try but there are people who would - isn't it up to the individual to decide whether such things are accept to them (obviously I'm not talking about breaking the law or such). Whether it is unnecessary or not should be determined by the individual no? collectively most of us live in a democracy where for the most part the laws are there designed to help society as a whole ("mostly" lol) and thus whether something is necessary or unnecessarily (but not illegal) is a personal decision no - who are you and I to dictate what someone else considers necessary or unnecessarily

isn't that the problem with a lot of things in society that a lot of things certain people (or certain groups) consider necessary or unnecessarily and then force those views on others (abortion, LGBT rights, etc). Again my personal views on the matter shouldn't dictate what others who have a different opinion to me do with their bodies. If you asked me - selfie do you think it's neccessary for a person to lose massive amounts of weight down to 37kgs - I would say no BUT I also wouldn't stop said actress from doing so. That person hopefully being of sound mind can make her own decisions contrary to what I find neccessary or not

para 2 - I completely agree with you and if you or someone else wishes to fight the hard fight - I'm all for it but that's not me. I don't have anything against said person from doing so but doing so has consequences and one must bear those consequences for standing up for onself or what one deeems right...again that's not me - you can call me a coward or weak but I gotta look after my own interests and my family and I literally cannot afford to stand up to the status quo so I choose to maintain the status quo and live within it

I don’t think I ever said I think it should be banned, just that I think it’s a bad idea and that I think it sets a bad precedent. I think that at minimum outright requiring it to this extent shouldn’t be allowed, but if it’s 100% not forced or coerced it’s their choice the end of the day. As for necessity that can always be viewed differently depending on the position of the person and the details of the task, but if the exact same result can be achieved without whatever it is, then it’s not a necessity. I don’t know if he didn’t for more than just visuals, but if it’s just visuals, and if makeup or edits could provide the same quality result, then it’s not necessary. It still may be preferred for whatever reason. But it would need to be a really good reason to offset the actual possible risk of doing that. I’m just working off the little I do know, and I view it as a bad idea based of what I currently know.