Mike Leigh's Naked Starring Henry Maynard and Victoria Bell

[MetalTiger669]

I think some of the critics are being a little too harsh - after all you did this as a training exercise and as such I think you did an excellent job all round. The acting is edgy enough to be quite believable, the sound is clean and the camerawork is good enough that you are hardly aware of it. All round quite a good professional good.

[persephonethemad]

Its OK, but I do think you should have watched the film first. It might have been better. Besides if you were fans of Mike Leigh surely you would know that there was no script, it was a series of imprevisations that were recorded. Again, ok, not great but ok.

[metalchimp]

fair comment, you are correct mike leigh does work with improvisations, I have met the man twice and am very familiar with his work, however there is a screenplay now and that is what we used, in the business you often have to work from a script and as this was during training it was considered a useful way to work. the problem with seeing the film first is that you are informed by another actor's (perhaps superior, lets not forget I was 10 years younger than Thewlis at the time, performance0

[metalchimp]

it becomes incredibly difficult to render your own interpretation because you are either copying or actively trying not to copy, I could easily have mimicked his performance (many people at drama school did) but that would have betrayed my integrity. It is always risky to redo a fantastic role/film but if I didnt take risks I would be a poorer actor for it, perhaps view some of my other work before judging me and my talent, cheers

[NanniProductions]

I read that the script was pretty much written during rehearsal before they filmed it and it was only 25 pages long. I think improvisations is what makes this film so brilliant.

[metalchimp]

I'm afraid that that isn't quite true, whilst Mike Leigh does work with impro by the time it is filmed most of the scenes are scripted and rehearsed, the impro is invaluable in creating a charcter and finding plot however when it comes to filming you have to set performances to a certain degree for continuity purposes, lighting, and camera angles. however of course there is still a little amount of play,

[metalchimp]

it isn't supposed to be the same... I'm not so crass that I would directly copy another actor's performance, see my previous comment.

[StanPomeray]

Its not quite the same with a Justin Lee Collins lookalike playing Johnny. Just doesn't seem raw enough.

[metalchimp]

oh i see! finally i get it, basicly anyone with a beard and longish hair looks like justin lee collins... please!

[MintySpunkBubble]

Strange, the version of Johnny here has shades of the Sebastian/Jeremy character from the film. A bit too smarmy and more like a smart arse.

[fadeout1999]

Good job, but it doesn't sound right without the Mancunian accent.

[sixtyeightspecial]

Well done but the actors are both way to pretty for these roles!

[metalchimp]

feel that I should point out that neither myself or vicky had seen the original, we refrained in order to give our own interpretations based on the script, we are both massive fans of Mike Leigh's work and thought the scene worked in isolation.

[Flagthisbastard]

Not bad, I like the fact that is wasn't a direct remake.

[Partykriz]

Very Good Remake!