Sir Ian McKellen's acting process

[@dylanthrillmour866]

I love how he opens with "no titles in the workplace" to be nice and immediately just refers to himself as Sir Ian

[@michaelmccallum82]

I LOVE that.😂

[@knutini]

Sir Ian: "No titles" Also Sir Ian: "Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian"

[@bryymiller2475]

Also: "WIZARD: YOU SHALL NOT PASS."

[@Ericwvb2]

That was one of my favorite parts. He ONLY refers to himself as "Sir Ian" in the entire scene.

[@tombombadil4908]

ahahahhahahahahahahahahahha

[@tombombadil4908]

@@VicenzoV its so funny haha

[@SAK1855]

@@bryymiller2475 He says "WIZARD:" in the voice of the wizard.

[@jamiewarner3637]

What I love about this is that Ian McKellen is not actually the person he’s portraying on screen in this scene. The director has just asked him to act like that and probably also gave him a script.

[@yc1094]

Gosh, that's amazing - I hadn't thought of that! So basically if you draw a timeline of how that woked it would be: Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian... "ACTION"... Sir Ian, Sir Ian,... "CUT"... Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian.

[@inisus]

@@yc1094 you forgot to add the wizard Gandalf in there sir Ian action sir Ian action Gandalf cut sir Ian cut sir ian

[@Morphdog9819]

WOW. Mind fucking blown. I thought that was just all part of the sketch. I wonder how he knew where to sit.

[@johnricercato740]

@@Morphdog9819Someone told him…

[@tombombadil4908]

i wonder if there is anything written down in that script he holds up, or maybe its just a prop! What a mystery!

[@jumplinjake]

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

[@tombombadil4908]

Wizaaard!

[@JHawke1]

He acts precisely as the script means him to

[@thomasjohnson1778]

How he means to

[@TheRamoach]

That doesn't make sense. If he acts then he pretends

[@andreweverett4308]

"That goes for everyone - THERE WILL BE NO SCRIPTS ON THE NIGHT!" Brilliant 😂

[@stevenaitcheson6938]

like it's a primary school play haha

[@erikgiles4171]

He wipes a tear away like he just laid down some profound speech 🤣 great stuff

[@hellfish2309]

I think he was breaking, but they edited it into the final

[@tombombadil4908]

Its fucking brilliant ahahahahahahha

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Are you implying he DIDNT? 😢

[@ikechicoreralation]

😂

[@ryanls2330]

@@whynottalklikeapiratit’s too late, I’ve already seen everything 😂

[@kev3d]

"Ian, I want you to play Gandalf the Wizard." "Peter, you realize of course that I am *not* a wizard." "Wut"

[@alphawmusic]

It’s pure satire, but I can’t help but be mesmerized by Ian’s mannerisms.

[@devanman7920]

Same. It's so ridiculous but he's still acts it so well

[@samosmond2375]

It was written down in a script 🫣

[@Smartmouth78]

The man is a virtuoso, can do Shakespeare, any big drama play or movie, and when Mckellen does comedy he makes you bust your gut full of laughter!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KutWrite]

...because he learns the words. If he had the script on the day it would break the illusion!

[@hellfish2309]

according to him, this is the only scene that ever broke his performance - he had trouble completing takes without laughing

[@WieldingEminator]

He is so "serious" in his comedy!

[@matthewweber3904]

@@WieldingEminator that's the only way to play comedy successfully.

[@thegrimmretails3777]

Do yourself a favor and watch Vicious.

[@justinnoel2490]

Perfectly written. Perfectly acted.

[@moeskeetz5473]

“Sir Ian 🏃🏽‍♂️ Sir Ian 🏃🏽‍♂️Sir Ian 🏃🏽‍♂️ (action) Wizard 🧙‍♂️ YOU SHALL NOT PASS! (Cut) Sir Ian 🏃🏽‍♂️ Sir Ian 🏃🏽‍♂️ Sir Ian” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SAK1855]

Ian mirroring Ricky’s squint at @1:00 is gold.

[@samaraisnt]

omg!

[@anaconda470]

That made me laugh so much 😂

[@DaveSimkus]

Nice catch! I didn't even notice that at first.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Yes! I didn't notice that.

[@JeromeBeckett]

He ain't Sir Ian for nothing

[@franksoul]

"if we were to draw a graph of my process" 😂 this scene is comedy gold

[@robintyson591]

Wonderful acting from a wonderful actor. Sir Ian makes it all seem that acting is just so simple! "The words will be written for me", "People tell me where to stand."!

[@itsdaBKB]

That's the joke. It was hilarious until I read you literally write out the joke.

[@two2truths]

Yet you notice how Ricky still FAILS this one simple task later in the episode? Thats why its so funny, he acts all confused cause its so OBVIOUS what acting really means as Ian explains it, its just pretending to be someone else lol, yet Ricky cant do that one simple task later when he has to act gay for the show lol. Its too funny and well written

[@willsr2112]

@@two2truthsI noticed that too ironic how he turned out to be the one who couldn’t understand acting

[@davidarmstrong1624]

I actually attended a Sir Ian McKellan acting masterclass. He warned us all that we needed to pay attention and study hard or we would not pass.

[@mulemule]

*"You're **_confused ..."_*

[@thederekduvallshow4806]

My name is Sir Ian McKellen & this is my MasterClass.

[@two2truths]

bahahaha would be hilarious if Ian made a MasterClass and just proceeded to explain acting in the same way he does here lol... Thats it folks, youre just pretending to be this other person! You will not LITERALLY be this other person! I share with you this WISDOM!

[@MrKit19832009]

Even in this short scene, he is absolutely mesmerising. Sir Ian indeed...

[@alepenagorbe9135]

The little smile after he says "the words were written on a script"

[@simonrichards6739]

The best thing about this is how good Iain is at acting!

[@bryymiller2475]

Yup. He's playing a complete buffoon and yet he sells it.

[@joeshite]

The tissue …

[@darrenremington6422]

This is the best episode of Extras ever!

[@Mattribute]

Amazing. Never gets old. Sir Ian Sir Ian Sir Ian

[@Depechistko]

Totally uncalled-for, but I gotta say this: Ian's voice here is soooooo ASMRy... 😍😍😍

[@dolphinsnape]

Absolutly agreed with you

[@lorcanoconnor7359]

Yup

[@blutomindpretzel1735]

his voice is like a warm mug of hot chocolate

[@craigtimmons6907]

“There will be no scripts on the night!” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@danschannel169]

Classic 😂

[@Richie.65-rn7vv]

"There will be no scripts on the night!" This is refreshing. The last play I went to all the actors had scripts. I still enjoyed the play, but I'd have preferred it if they hadn't had the scripts on the night.

[@zmani4379]

He's really amazing here - he almost has me convinced that he's NOT actually a wizard -

[@IRP01]

Lost count of the number of times i watch this for ASMR

[@dennisjohansen8490]

Andy: It's a pleasure to meet you Sir Ian. Ian McKellan: Please, no titles in the workplace. Ian McKellan then proceeds to refer to himself as "Sir Ian" for the rest of the time.

[@torvisaid4433]

Sir Ian Mckellan*

[@mchammer5592]

I’m mesmerized by him explaining something extraordinary simple

[@liamriddy358]

"You're confused"

[@nickellion3657]

I've watched this a million times and counting. It's up there with the greatest scenes of the Ricky Gervais Era. Hilarious!....That whole episode is a topper.

[@henriettafinch6057]

Sir Ian is a true legend. As someone who spent over a decade working in theatre in the UK this hits so close. I remember one casting for a children’s show and they asked one actor going for the part of a talking tree how he thought it must FEEL to be a tree.

[@Hastur876]

This is literally all that acting is. It's just pretending. But they can't with a straight face give awards for "best pretending", so they called it "acting".

[@NakedBikeJase]

I'd imagine he was probably a bit nervous with knots and that probably explains why he felt his performance was a little wooden.... 🪵

[@dougtherugg]

He gave a wooden performance then!!

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

@@dougtherugg 😄🥁

[@SethGavriel111]

Easily one of the most underrated moments in television history! Acting piece de resistance!

[@kevinstoneham1245]

“You’re not really John”. Brilliant!

[@DoctorMicahJohnson]

Studying this guy to learn how to act but came across this silliness lol

[@keepcalmcarryon8178]

Sir Ian is just brilliant in whatever role he inhabits. The man is just that good! Steve and Ricky’s scripts are just so well written in this series! Really enjoy rewatching Extras,

[@joea1007]

A lot of credit should go to the person who told them where to sit

[@kpopahjussi6379]

This is so great!

[@pupskin123]

One of the best extras scenes...brilliant!

[@del5.0]

It never gets old...Can not stop laughing!

[@DeanFWilson]

Amazing scene. Love the writing and acting for this.

[@bluesque9687]

This too is a fantastic performance!! Sir Ian is a genius overall, but especially good at Shakespeare's plays and also comedy!

[@jobb2444]

MY favourite comedy scene of all times.

[@LuluDZulu]

I like the little wiggle Sir Ian does at 1:21 when hes 'imagining'

[@aaroncohenour559]

I totally want to have a beer with Sir Ian

[@-THE_META]

Please, no titles.

[@gardenlover9663]

Stephen Merchant and Sir Ian are on Graham Norton. They mentioned this scene, thankfully. And here I am, learning about acting! 😆

[@blakedenton4688]

Me too!

[@two2truths]

Is it true that its all about just pretending to be another character, as Sir Ian mentions? I thought there was more to acting but if Ian is correct, you're not literally being your character, you're just pretending to be this other person! It blew my mind..

[@hutche]

George, of course. I'm dead 😂

[@caronlynch8593]

This is beyond brilliant x

[@webbers4life146]

I live when he starts rifling through the script to find out EXACTLY what he’ll be doing with his lover ‘Fran’, in the play 😂

[@dantevaun903]

I saw the "Sir Ian Sir Ian" thing in Lindsay Ellis's video and thought it was an interview. 🤣

[@tyghr]

Link to video?

[@dantevaun903]

@@tyghr I'd say I'm late delivering on this but as you know a wizard is never late. 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/joGZpoCHgZ6CmpY

[@tylermoulton7294]

I love Ian. When these actors show heart along with their works of art they are apart of… does the most for inspiration for me

[@cloudstrife206]

This is incredible, mind blowing stuff

[@lyallbaybum69]

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest actors on earth.

[@HelloTardis]

“George...Of course”

[@TheGeoDaddy]

Every time an ACTOR speaks... we, mere mortals, stand aghast in utter stupedefying silence...

[@toxikwastedump]

fucking brilliant, the both of them

[@milena33333]

It’s really funny how he tries to explain to the guy, how he acts, and he just sits there like an idiot nodding his head 😂

[@KutWrite]

I nodded, too, as to me, McKellen is explaining the obvious, which we don't expect. He starts out as this icon, whom we expect to be pompous but instead he reveals his "technique" as nothing more than playing pretend. Gervais is a strong actor even when he says nothing.

[@Ericwvb2]

"I've got a part here where you play a pompous Shakespearean actor condescendingly explaining what acting is to Ricky Gervais." Sir Ian: "I think I can pull that off."

[@hellfish2309]

I never got that from the bit, but I can see it now… I always read it as he was a goofy simpleton

[@joshuathompson4571]

@@hellfish2309 That's what I thought at first too, but it's really a solid if not simple approach. Plus Andy is the simpleton who cannot wrap his head around portraying a character, pretending and acting like something he is not.

[@KutWrite]

@@joshuathompson4571 In the end, true. I took his non-plussedness as being shocked at Ian explaining such obvious things to him.

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

I didn't get condescension from this at all. He's playing it totally deadpan, as if he's the first human being to discover acting. The conceit is that he's such a brilliant and famous actor nobody has ever told him that he's not doing anything differently from anyone else, so he's been free to live in this little bubble for his entire career. It's in the same spirit of Patrick Stewart and his 'I've seen everything' screenplay; clearly nobody around him told him how bad his idea was. Of course it's absurdist humor, but that's what makes it so funny.

[@iteration2]

Yeah, not getting a hint of intentional condescension from this. He seems to legitimately think that he’s sharing something profound with Andy. And The fact that he acts so coy when admitting that the words he says are written in a script demonstrates his lack of arrogance. He knows that actors rely on other people to tell him what to say and do, and this too is a profound secret he’s sharing with Andy.

[@stevemuzak8526]

Everything he said is 100% truth.

[@valentino1000]

When McKellen plays McKellen, he BECOMES McKellen. Hands down, that's beyond genius!

[@Hastur876]

You're saying he's not really Sir Ian?

[@chrisbirch4150]

​@@Hastur876sir Ian, sir Ian, sir Ian... MCKELLEN... sir Ian, sir Ian, sir ian

[@Colafarr]

Watching this before my drama exame.. Great help!

[@spreadcreativelimited612]

"And you will speak them as if saying them for the first time." The true challenge and mastery of acting hidden in this amazing script.

[@wrghty]

This forever will be legendary

[@tatzybatzy1286]

Genius acting in motion!

[@gabespiro8902]

Ricky’s face is just like: “he does have someone to check in on him, right?”

[@lievenyperman9363]

"You see, you are not really John!" "No, I know."

[@i.c.y.]

f'king brilliant. acting of the acting of the acting...

[@dadygee]

this is pure gold...

[@carlwolfe9263]

Hilarious scene, but I also appreciate the major ASMR vibes from this as well!

[@sillyboy2223]

Yeah? You like that?

[@1ouncebird]

Yes, I hear it too. A lot of times people talking doesn't do it for me but in this scene Sir Ian's voice is just right and the ASMR vibes are flowing. Thankfully there is no music played over this. A lot of great ASMR moments in movies and TV is ruined by the musical score. Great job by the sound department on this.

[@davidrichardson8855]

What I don’t understand is why actors like Vin Diesel don’t come here for some valuable tips.

[@haydenharris3059]

Looking for any love screens in the script I presume 😂. Fabulous 😍

[@missesdimplez]

Aww Sir Ian is so hilarious here !

[@PaulRoneClarke]

After watching his Macbeth from 1979 "Tomorrow... and tomorrow.... and tomorrow" final speech. Then seeing this. Got to love "Sirian". To reduce something he is so damn good at. To laugh at his own craft. Well done mate. :) Everyone would be lucky enough to see life through this sort of lens and laugh at their own strengths. Know when to turn on, and when to turn off.

[@drewcampbell8555]

Um... the "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow..." speech is from Macbeth.

[@PaulRoneClarke]

@@drewcampbell8555 Yeah my bad. Corrected :)

[@ziggypop8106]

We ❤️ Sir Ian

[@boostfiend]

What a legend.

[@Fnidner]

You're a wizard, Ian

[@flashdalsu9792]

I adore his gesticulations. I find it so interesting

[@Lucifronz]

Thought of this randomly and it made me laugh so I had to rewatch it.

[@RogerYeahmon]

McKellen is a titan of performing arts

[@aaroncohenour559]

This is obviously comedy, but there is wisdom in it.

[@KutWrite]

To me it busts the myth of the "Master Thespian." It's playing pretend. Period.

[@HelloTardis]

It’s absurdist humor. You both are looking for meaning that gervais couldn’t care less about. This isn’t about anything that YOU think or feel. It’s simply funny because Ricky thought it would be funny to have a well respected actor pretending to be a moron, to show that Actors can be fallible and dumb just like everyone else. It’s just a comedic method of shedding a different light on someone with Gravitas, but it’s not a hidden reference or grain of wisdom. If you think it’s some hidden secret then you’re admitting that you think you have some secret knowledge of the way actors can be. That’s not what this is about. It’s about how we all know Actors can sometimes be full of shit. Ricky is the proxy for us (the audience) in this clip. He knows the business and he’s just confirming and detailing the things we’ve all known forever about SOME actors. Also, the OP mentions comedy as if it already hasn’t had Wisdom In it. Comedy comes from Wisdom. You laugh because you were expecting one outcome, and the comedian challenged you with another. That dissonance leads your body to release prior anticipation in the form of laughter. “This is obviously comedy,”....Stating the obvious is not a form of commentary.

[@adNauseum100]

@@HelloTardis God, Ricky Gervais fans are the fucking worst.

[@jspr1272]

@@HelloTardis bro... You're not wrong but I don't think any of that was relevant in the slightest. You read far too much into OP's comment.

[@Bubbleshful]

@@HelloTardis Absolutely fucking unbearable. Amazing that there's actually people like you who really exist and walk around feeling all wised up like this lmao.

[@renhoek3851]

It's interesting, even though this is a sitcom, the difference in the presence of Ian compared to Ricky is amazing. You hang on to his every word

[@jonrendell]

Magnificent!

[@johnrie18]

I love what a slap in the face this is to every actor who goes into some long winded explanation about their acting process!! Lol

[@Horriflick]

It is, but it’s also more than that in the context of the episode which makes it fucking awesome. Andy is unable to perform the play in front of friends because he doesn’t want them to think he’s gay. Clearly he wasn’t listening to the speech from a man who wasn’t, in fact, a wizard.

[@devixszell]

It’s not, he’s in on the joke - and has said himself the scene is bollocks - comedy is no different - talent is important but acting “process, methods, techniques and skills” are harnessed through lifetimes of extensive experience and training. you just don’t like actors.

[@ianinkster2261]

Well the "imagine what it would be like an act in that way" covers a lot of ineffable hard-acquired stuff, and a vivid imagination

[@Robc--jd6yh]

@@devixszellI think you missed the point

[@ItsukaShimotsuki]

When he said "draw a graph of my 'method'", with the airquote he delivered another slap in the face to the whole Method Acting school🤣

[@fusionspace175]

I've seen this in the show, but I came to watch this clip because I was watching Sir Ian be very serious in the Lord of the Rings making-of documentaries, and needed to be reminded of his "process".

[@removechan10298]

so fkn brilliant

[@svenwouters9547]

Got in here not knowing it was a sketch and then he just explained my entire method to me.

[@LTPottenger]

This almost killed me but it is basic acting boiled down into a solid lesson one.

[@dannyk7226]

absolutely legendary

[@tyroneslothrop3406]

I love how he just asked himself that question as if ricky had asked him

[@johnwxyz3395]

The gag reel is great too

[@taylordani11]

Mr Merchant is a great comedic writer.

[@ericrounds1424]

Are you here after seeing them on Norton

[@taylordani11]

@@ericrounds1424 of course, lol. I'm addicted to Graham. I'd like to watch more Brit stuff, but I'm limited. Toast isn't on Netflix anymore.

[@robintyson591]

"No titles in the workplace." And the script has the 'Sir' crossed out! Love the thought that has gone into the production. 02:17

[@jars7774]

“Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian!” LOL

[@thomaswinge6663]

I knew it! He's a real wizard!

[@PatrickHutton]

How did McKellen keep a straight face coming out with that? 🤣🤣

[@johnricercato740]

He didn’t. There is a hilarious out-takes video of him and Gervais cracking up take after take….It must have taken half an hour to film this piece.

[@BjrnOttoVasbottenbjovas]

With very great difficulty indeed

[@thefilmclassic4210]

Ian Mckellen would be a great ASMR artist!

[@euglenaeleven5479]

this is actually amazing acting - its 'meta' acting

[@aharrymarry]

The blopers are so funny , go and watch them break into tears almost :)

[@dinoboy1322]

The thing is; if Andy had taken Ian's advice and remembered that the play is all an "illusion" and he wasn't really John then it all would've gone fine and he wouldn't have felt insecure and ruined it.

[@paulanthony5274]

He was pushing the back of his head trying to get him to kiss fran. 😂😂

[@serenae6007]

I had this on my watch list for a few months and I thought it was legit 😂 What a funny surprise

[@Javajoinjun]

5 years old and still as hilarious and useful as ever.

[@thatsmrtguy4935]

This clip is from 2006, it was posted five years ago

[@inhalemusic8926]

you're a little young to be on youtube

[@vapourmile]

I have never found this laugh-out-loud funny but I do occasionally watch it again. It isn't just amusing it's also warm.