Sir Ian McKellen, On Acting

[@nicodiplacido]

"How did I know where to stand? ... People told me" Best part.

[@gregoryfreeman5384]

What I love about the line is that he doesn't seem to know or care who those people are.

[@gigatesla]

​@@gregoryfreeman5384"Oi Ian! Why you standing over there?" "Eyy listen, I'm just following directions. The guy says to move, so I move." "What guy?" "I dunno, what's it to ya? He had all his Movement Requisition Paperwork in order."

[@happyclappyslappy]

🙌the words were written down for him in a script.

[@dgthe3]

@@gigatesla I don't know about the rest of you, but I read that in a New Yorker accent.

[@MarsellusWallace]

"I'm Sir Ian McKellen, and this is my MasterClass."

[@JosephRhinewine]

More upvotes!! This was the response that made me LOL :D

[@j.chrisjohnston5853]

Ok I snorted Dr. Pepper out my nose when I saw this. Well done.

[@kimberlyhonig8030]

OMG, this made me laugh so hard 🤣🤣 Such a brilliant response - thank you for that!!

[@-THE_META]

"That'll be 1200 pounds."

[@HP-gi3tn]

are you ok?

[@travisbest9041]

This is one of the best bits these guys ever wrote. "How do I know what to say? The words are in the script..." And McKellen makes it fly. XD

[@phillyfansufferer]

He didn't make it fly that easily. Have you watched the blooper real? It's hysterical.............

[@smurfthumper]

He makes it fly, you fools!

[@suad01]

Of a Took

[@AllfatherBlack]

"how do i know where to stand? someone told me" lol

[@roninreturns]

"You're confused..." "You are aware that I am not really a wizard..." These lines Crush me every time, this is probably one the funniest scenes ever on Extras, I so wish that Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian did more comedy, this is pure gold.

[@DonoVideoProductions]

"Vicious" is one of the funniest things ever on TV.

[@Bombadil-ez9ns]

Watch him tell us how to change a tire.

[@AwfulWaffle8474]

i took my first acting class and my instructor broke the ice with this vid. loved it.

[@The_One_In_Black]

Then there must have been no reason to come back for a second class!

[@mickdead]

The first day of my acting class in college, my professor had us all watch this video too!

[@vtancredi1717]

@@The_One_In_Black brilliant

[@stevenmclaren2730]

Not very good teacher if they must use a video to break the ice

[@johnp515]

@@stevenmclaren2730 Why not?

[@tributebillbailey]

"How did I know what to say? The words were written down for me in a script." Best acting advice from Sir Ian

[@oolala53]

The cupped hands around his mouth as if he is trying to keep it a secret...🤣

[@jumplinjake]

A wizard never pretends. He act precisely when he means to.

[@tedcrilly46]

There is a wizard in my new book. And when he's around women he can make their clothes fall off. Of course the women pick their clothes back up, but its too late. I've seen everything.

[@bajskuk]

Underrated comment

[@theajroseshow]

McKellen's voice is so deep and relaxing. He could be a great hypnotist.

[@oolala53]

All movies and plays are a form of hypnosis.

[@mtmmog]

After this video, my acting has improved 150%. I never imagined I could learn so much from the great Sir Ian.

[@mattcorcoran7082]

My acting has improved by at least 1000%, but I’m still not professional or anything. In fact, I never act at all.

[@philipmalaby8172]

No titles in the workplace please

[@j.striebel2059]

@@philipmalaby8172 Mark Hamill tells a great story about calling him "Sir Alec" in the first few days shooting Star Wars. Sir Alec slapped him across the face, and said, "Please refer to me by my name; not my accolade."

[@johnnomonno]

For a sec I thought he was being serious. Then I realised, "Holy shit, Sir Ian is a damn fucking good actor"

[@-THE_META]

He has a method.

[@TeamZealand]

Well they wrote down what he was supposed to say and even told him where to stand.

[@guitarman0365]

the bloopers are amazing which in itself is also the joke of the scene showing that it is in fact not that easy just to be told what to do and be something else with ease. Which is the whole reason for people seeking advice on acting to begin with. How its all one big joke showing that its about as useless as saying just be yourself in the dating world if being yourself has shown no results. lol Sometimes nobody can really explain talent or how something is done it just is.

[@urmomsoldballs]

@@guitarman0365it’s like in law school when they would have a class to prepare us for the exam. “Apply the law to the facts”. Yeah thanks for that tidbit. Really clears things up ty

[@ALCvideoprofile]

The genious of this show is it is actors playing as versions of themselves so different from who they really are. This one and the Patric Stewart one are my favs.

[@AdamRodriguezGamez]

Ian Mckellen sounds so professional! ITS AWESOME!

[@bass_rhino]

Sir Ian Mckellen Acting Masterclass. This is all you need really.

[@MrFTW733]

His voice is like hot Cappuccino on a freezing winter night.

[@calebh4599]

Izzy G. U right

[@insainiac33]

"...And that goes for everybody - There will be no scripts on the night!"

[@jjones3256]

If Sir Ian would have tried to hand a script to Sir Patrick, Sir Patrick would have just informed him that he had no need for a script...that he had seen everything...he'd seen it all.

[@BluRayKing]

Sir Ian Sir Ian Sir Ian action: WIZARD: "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" cut! Sir Ian Sir Ian hahahahaha

[@philipmalaby8172]

That’s what he said in the clip!

[@ripelivejam]

@@philipmalaby8172 the words were written down on the script.

[@themanape]

Thanks, I couldn't catch what he was saying.

[@tpfrecoil2837]

Sir Ian McKellen: What I do is I pretend to be the person I'm portraying in the film or play. Audience: *Gives understanding "ahh"s*

[@thisbliss81]

"And that goes for everyone, there will be no script on the night" lol cracks me up every time 😂

[@WideNerdy]

I love that he believed it was necessary to say that to everyone yet didn't think to say it till now

[@blacktimhoward4322]

I love how he kills the line "Wizard, you shall not pass!" Any balrogs would have fled for sure

[@christopherbarber5283]

10 years later, this is still amazing

[@Guesswhoboo12]

I'm taking a Shakespeare class in college at the moment. I just watched Sir Ian Kellen's "Acting Shakespeare", and I came to this video directly after...

[@alexceranich8286]

ian's slight response squint at 0:47 is genius

[@BillYovino]

Not mentioned in the comments is how great Ricky Gervais was in this as the straight man. You could read the frustration and bewilderment in his face. Both are brilliant in this sketch.

[@editorcj]

63 believed Sir Ian was a wizard and thus the illusion is broken for them.

[@DanceWithWes]

I thought I knew how to act... NO. I have been wrong for years. Sir Ian has opened my eyes. This my friends is the true way to act. I'm so glad I've seen this and can now go and become an actor. thank you. thank you Sir Ian. thank you.

[@EvilEelofSteel]

01:38 reminded me of my prof in thermodynamics, the graph went like "Stefan, Stefan, Stefan, EXAM! You shall not pass! Cut! Stefan, Stefan Stefan..."

[@markko17]

The 31 "dislikes" are from people that spent tons of money and years and years going to classes/workshops and after watching this two minute video they finally get it!!

[@PurushaDesa]

He delivers this comedy impeccably well.

[@annoir]

That is the greatest two minutes of acting I've ever seen.

[@sherrylandrum7901]

And there you have it! A firm grasp of the obvious from a master!

[@nirvemanna]

+Sherry Landrum I am surprised your comment doesn't have more upvotes. Your humour sounds very British. Cheers!

[@janutee11]

one of the funniest things I have ever watched perfect!!! brilliant!!! "I pretended to be a wizard" "the words were written down for me in a script" "you would learn the words!" an amazing explanation of what actors do: pretend

[@borgoat1220]

This scene was satire. Bad actors think they're supposed to pretend, which is why their acting is phony & atrocious. Ian, a good actor, is (ironically) giving bad acting advice and subsequently demonstrating good acting because he's not actually pretending. The point of this scene is to show the cognitive dissonance newcomer actors face seeing a good actor giving bad acting advice, which confuses them,and it is precisely this absurdity and downright silliness of this farce that makes it funny.

[@WillowJordan1979]

This is still one of the funniest scenes ever in any sitcom. No matter how many times I watch it, I always laugh. This and the Patrick Stewart scene are amazing. I wish Gervais and Merchant would team up again, maybe there would be more moments like this.

[@aguynamednathan]

I used this as an audition piece for a production of "Oliver!" It worked.

[@cakelizard]

THERE WILL BE NO SCRIPTS ON THE NIGHT!

[@irubberyouglueonethousand5384]

the tear at the end. it really means something to him haha

[@NickStedmon]

Classic. Good to know Sir Ian watches these to cheer himself up too. In case he's watching now: You're the best! ❤

[@robintyson591]

"And you would learn the words - that goes for everyone - there will be NO SCRIPTS on the night - you will LEARN the words."

[@malbecks316]

I needed to watch this clip several times because I studiously wrote down everything Sir Ian said and now I am the best actor there is.

[@iinspectra]

Ricky Gervais' facial expressions in this are priceless.

[@ameroux]

That is brilliant and very, very funny. Some actors who are quite pretentious about their "method" would do well to watch this and take it to heart.

[@ricardolima9411]

What a precious man.

[@whkrause]

If only someone had told this to Steven Seagal.

[@JacksonCanales]

William Krause lmao 😂

[@serious.business]

Steven Seagull is a horrible actor.

[@evangriner411]

Jared Leto would learn a thing or two from this.

[@H3xx99]

When you play the Joker, you need to stop acting like Jared Leto. You're going to wind up in prison.

[@BuckHunter103]

“You are aware that I am not really a wizard” gets me everything

[@1478965745693]

He came to our school today to talk about antibullying..amazing actor

[@millrice]

"i didn't think i would have the script." "No! But you won't!"

[@changer_of_ways_999]

Unironically, this is actually good advice. It's actually odd that some actors start to actually think they are their character and are unable to step out of the role when done. Just switch it on and off. It's healthier that way.

[@terryhurley1]

100% the greatest British actor, McKellen. He is sublime.

[@Tousanx]

he just mocked all the method actors hahaha

[@borgoat1220]

No, not really.

[@stephaniezimbalist3757]

Actually he just mocked himself. Sir Ian was in a series of video lectures with John Barton and other actors in 1979-1982 about how to act, specifically Playing Shakespeare.

[@AaronLafcadio]

@@borgoat1220 Exactly! Just over-simplified but all true!!!

[@AaronLafcadio]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6uynYmCebJ_d7M

[@tomsawyer5902]

All great actors do! as they should!

[@broseffman]

It's one of the most underrated bits featuring two very famous people that I can think of.

[@darkspeedhero]

I love the way he can still make it sound intense.

[@joshuasweeney7864]

The other day I played this video, and Sir Ians voice is so calming and relaxing that it helped me take a nap lol

[@KarlGumbo]

The bloopers from this scene are absolutely the best from the show. Just hilarious

[@underthefallenstars2788]

First time seeing this. Brilliant. They are both gems.

[@MissSabrinaChristine]

This was sooooooooo funny! ''How did I know what to say (whisper)? The words were written down for me in a script. How did I know where to stand, people told me''. Sir Ian is GREAT!

[@keenoled]

Omg, sir Ian McKellen, how can so much awesomeness be contained in a single human body?

[@akariasking]

"Because if you did have the script it would break the illusion and the whole thing is illusion, do you see, you are not really John!" You have to love those people watching him so seriously in the background. :)

[@microflex22]

"You are aware that I'm not really a wizard"...classic!

[@DustyRog]

ahh, i love love love to see such classy and respected actors doing satire like this, its just such a beautiful thing. and oh how i love sir ian mckellan, what a performer.

[@PublicSecrecy]

sir ian sir ian sir ian wizard YOU SHALL NOT PASS sir ian sir ian

[@gimo80]

‘And THAT is acting’. *sheds tear*

[@LisaDaltonandMichaelChekhov]

He just described the ever so powerful Michael Chekhov Technique where an artist trains to transform instantly and powerfully and then is able to turn it off--peak efficient use of energy--just like a boxer who relaxes completely until the bell rings for the round to start. No unnecessary drain on the body, mind and spirit of the artist nor on their family, friends or the cast and crew.

[@JanetStarChild]

Well said!

[@artttard]

This video is funny because it's witty and Ian McKellen is a gem. It's doubly funny because of how many actors take themselves way too seriously and "method act". Is it really acting when you just straight up become the character?

[@callalily0004]

I really hope thats how the conversation between him and Peter Jackson went when he was offered the role XD

[@ALu-nq8rf]

"You are aware that I am not really a wizard?"

[@faupel]

mindblowing. so informative tbh

[@MrMetallidude]

One of my favorite skit. Hysterical.

[@Victor1930]

This is great! And I am amazed how many actors forget this simple concept, especially in long runs on stage. Poor things get bored or whatever, and suddenly it becomes about how to keep themselves and their cast mates entertained instead of telling a story to the audience as if "for the first time."

[@iggymoondust289]

Gotta love the way Ian and Patrick Stuart really committed to sending themselves up for extras .

[@tredekka13]

As true today as it ever was.

[@spencerstabio5936]

I'm so glad I found this video, lol! What Ian tells Ricky here is simple, but he makes it sound so profound, 😄.

[@TheLittleMan123]

Ian Mckellen is an awesome actor! i love his voice, it's the best voice i've heard!

[@JonSmith-cx7gr]

I dont think I've ever seen it put so succinctly.

[@JeremyHoffman]

Sir Ian McKellen "sirplaining" acting to Ricky Gervais.

[@bryymiller2475]

I love how this is so condescending and yet Ian McKellan makes it sound so professional.

[@TJRymer89]

And that goes for everyone! There will be no script on the night!

[@daggaboom]

This is the best thing I’ve ever seen of him. I don’t know how the hell either of them got through this scene.

[@einarsveinngunason9301]

You LEARN the words!

[@guyhandsome43]

Seriously. He just effortlessly crushes the word "learn" in the middle of the sentence.

[@Bearsca]

When Peter Jackson comes all the way from New Zealand he tells him he's not ACTUALLY a wizard. :P

[@GuizerJarlMusic]

'i've watched this so many times, he just has the best voice

[@omegaman6494]

The brilliant thing about the episode was that Gervais' characters failure to follow this advice costs him the role lol

[@happyactor6]

My lord. This is genius. This boils down every acting theory ever. McKellen method all the way!!

[@nik_elektrik]

Him and Patrick „I’ve seen everything“ Stewart are the best!

[@Sochilinda]

Hahahaha. He is so funny saying things like that so serious. You gotta love Sir Ian.

[@meSsi2y]

'YOU ARE NOT REALLY JOHN!!' 'yeah i know ;*(' 'YOU ARE PRETENDING!' gets me everytime

[@onilink39466]

Greatest description of acting EVER!!!

[@Sweence]

Man is this great!

[@darren767]

a great actor doing a skit about an actor who's a bit numb about acting is probably the best acting ive ever seen!!

[@PoorlyWrttenReviews]

Even this piece of acting about how to act is great acting

[@ViniAsFuck]

BRILLIANCE!!! "If we were to draw a graph of my process of 'my method' it'd be something like this; Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian. Action! WIZARD, YOU SHALL NOT PASS! Cut! Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian."

[@somebuddyX]

cheers. i love him as a serious actor but now i want to see if he's done any comedies. i reckon he'd be pretty good at it.

[@ohwhatamasterpiece]

this was how i pretty much went about doing it too.. but its good to get a little more info on it.. e.g. visioning yourself as being that person and improvising in your mind how youd portray it... Thanks IMc

[@DIESTROSINIESTRO]

some serious knowledge being drop right here!

[@ARKHAMxMaverick]

I wish some wise old wizard had told me this advice a long time ago.....

[@PogieJoe]

Ooh he is SO GOOD in this scene. I love it.

[@MrVux007]

Sir Ian Sir Ian sir Ian....cant stop watching that :D

[@LeBepVideoProduction]

PMSL... This is just sooooo good. "There will be no scripts on the night!" LOL

[@iana3892]

So proud to be sharing the same first name as this man ☺️

[@vsavatar]

I love the way he can just turn his character on and off as though with the flip of a switch.

[@Abbysfaco]

Ian Mckellen is my favourite actor. His voice is just magical :)