Acting - What is it? How to do it? Why do it? | David Wenham | TEDxSydney

Celebrated Australian actor David Wenham shares his insights into the acting process - what is it, how to do it and why? David Wenham has received critical acclaim for his diverse performances in film, theatre and television. He is one of Australia’s most respected actors.
David’s film credits include LION, LORD OF THE RINGS, GETTIN’ SQUARE, ORANGES AND SUNSHINE, MOULIN ROUGE, AUSTRALIA, 300, GOLDSTONE, THE BANK, MOLOKAI, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, PETER RABBIT and most recently DIRT MUSIC. His recent television credits include Jane Campion’s TOP OF THE LAKE, THE CODE, KILLING TIME, ROMPER STOMPER, BETTER MAN, BANISHED AND WAKE IN FRIGHT.
In 2017 David wrote and directed his debut feature film, ELLIPSIS.
David’s accolades include Best Actor AwardS from Australian Film Institute (AFI) IF Awards, The Film Critics Circle of Australia (FCCA) and Screen Actor’s Guild.
David’s numerous theatre credits include CYRANO DE BERGERAC, THE CRUCIBLE, TRUE WEST for Melbourne Theatre Co, HAMLET, THE TEMPEST, COSI for Belvoir St and JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA for Sydney Opera House. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@veganvantage2596]

"Behaving truthfully in an imaginary situation".. That's exactly how I see it 🥰

[@johnoshea5252]

Vegan Vantage ok

[@drrd4127]

If you never been a Lawyer, soilder, nurse ect....than how do you know how it feels when you have a time limit and 6 patients wanting your attention all at once? I am a nurse and I know how it feels.

[@rylanprice9350]

Constatin Stanislavski said it just a tad bit before Sanford Meisner repeated it.

[@seanalimov372]

Rylan Price not like that he didn’t. Meisner is a continuation of Stanislavskys method. No one has ever boiled it down to its essence as Meisner did.

[@aggeloukoos]

That actually do not exist. First things first,acting is mainly judgement of an existing situation. Last but not least,an actor should not act truthfully. What I mean is,that he don't has to convince the audience,although he has to make the whole acting seem truthful. At least,that's what I've learnt from my drama studies.

[@bwemmie007]

Always enjoyed his acting! One of my childhood hero's in Lord of the Rings...

[@danglin-wang402]

Who did he play in LOTR?

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

David Wenham played Faramir. Boromir was played by Sean Bean. ^-^

[@danglin-wang402]

@@aylbdrmadison1051 thank you!

[@JoshStinson011]

He forgot to mention he was a soldier of Gondor :(

[@andyzepeda1802]

joshua stinson CAPTAIN of Gondor

[@badformpictures4247]

@@andyzepeda1802 He probably did that on purpose haha

[@simonlevy2154]

A raider

[@cheese7781]

Also a soldier of Sparta.

[@calimitaprefetta]

I KNEW I RECOGNIZED HIM FROM SOMEWHERE

[@logospaint4290]

it's Faramir!

[@ViralZedGuy360]

Love his voice... Especially in 300

[@rstevens1836]

David Wenham: one of my favourite Aussie actors, more than just Faramir in LOTR and Dilios in 300. I sense a real humanity about him. Stay strong and keep on keepin on mate!

[@GS-um6ww]

Amazing Inroduction. Behaving truthful in a imaginary situation... apt definition for ACTING.

[@vedrantometic3252]

an imaginary situation*

[@crockett888]

he is indeed a fantastic actor. i had the pleasure of meeting him one time way back in 2005?2006? he was doing a play at the arts centre in melbourne.

[@mylastbraincell690]

Faramir finally getting to show his quality

[@RangerOfTheEast00]

Faramir Steward of Gondor has shown his quality 👍👍

[@MichaelGaynor93]

The very highest.

[@yichispiritual]

He worked on his lines in this speech - like an excellent actor!

[@hugoakerlund5114]

Underrated actor.

[@AmbraBeckles]

Why do we tell actors to break a leg? *cause every play has a cast.*

[@val4398]

x l o v v e l y stop please

[@ethanissortaaneatguy.8570]

I cringed at that so hard I broke two kneecaps and my spine. Jk though. It was a gud pun

[@purpledefaultpfp6233]

close but not quite right. we tell people to break a leg so they get into the cast.

[@ssnowypug]

lmAO

[@metalmaria26]

What a beautiful and articulate speech(man)! I loved the movie he did about Fr. Damien. I'd never heard that story about the filming before.

[@onelife959]

I feel like its my thoughts through his mouth , and I'm sure everyone who clicked on the video feels the same , I want to be an actress for my love and passion for telling stories and for the beauty of acting

[@seanalimov372]

Living*....not behaving, “acting is living truthfully under given imaginary circumstances.” The wording is very specific, it took Meisner decades to boil it down to that sentence. I had to pause the video to write this, this may seem like nitpicking, but it’s actually very important.

[@Chris_like_it_not]

Happy Birthday to David "Faramir" Wenham.9-21-65.Australia

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

Wow. A wonderful and educational talk that helped me see stories.

[@13crazydaze]

Love this actor!

[@davidwenham8665]

Thanks for your love and support

[@stephengehly2319]

I forgot what I clicked and it just played and I wasn’t looking and I was like man this dude had quite a trajectory haha

[@capuchinosofia4771]

Lmao hahaha

[@kiranreddy6370]

Impressed with the way he explained what is acting. 👏🏼

[@RS-jd7jp]

Thank you for sharing this! Exactly what I needed at the moment ❤❤

[@PortojomyutDeuce]

Who know He is faramir from the lord of the ring He is carl from van helsing He os dilios from 300 I love his actor

[@TheActorsChannel]

always keep creativity flowing and the journey alive!

[@johndeignan2668]

Ridiculously underrated actor

[@Malath98]

I'm here to listening English My language is Arabic but I wish to be able speak English one day 🤗

[@shoqvaive1842]

Good luck my brother.

[@gavanab]

Never give up

[@Malath98]

@@shoqvaive1842 🤗 thank you

[@Malath98]

@@gavanab 🌹 l'll never give up

[@BradfordGuy]

I have great respect for those who can speak more than one language, as well as those learning. I hope you become completely literate in the English language, maybe even moving on to a third.

[@Rustylad85]

Just finished season 1 of Iron fist. Brilliant in that.

[@MICHAELMYERSKILLS-xv3eb]

Season 1 was the best because of this guy season 2 was really bad it should have ended at season 1 season 2 was different because David wellham wasn't in it

[@justicartiberius8782]

Faramir came a long way since he was spiked with arrows!

[@MrGreeneyedcat]

Amazing, one of my most respected and revered actors, fascinating ted x talk. i remember "the bank".

[@drrd4127]

As soon as he said "i am an lawyer". I thought "isn't he an actor?" I am a nurse and I have Never seen my profession represented correctly on screen.

[@Kazilla.]

dr rd well there is a new show called Nurses on global that might? Never seen it but

[@estelitach]

great opening

[@davidnewman690]

A truly brilliant actor! Three Dollars is his best film.

[@knowen32]

Thank you

[@francissellerdude]

Faramir!! You're a good son

[@MichelleDoiron1]

Love this !!!!

[@davidwenham8665]

Thanks for your love and support

[@radiantlight2361]

Wow I love this actor

[@neerajshiledar8681]

Amazing 😍

[@Jahu-qs2us]

"Hollywoo stars and celebrities! What do they know? Do they know things? Lets find out!"

[@bankaihampter2802]

A man of culture

[@briannafogelson249]

You have taste my friend

[@KiaraCarbajal]

Wow! What a great one!

[@davidwenham8665]

Thanks for your love and support

[@MsAndaction]

It's not acting at all. That's how you do it.

[@luminair11]

Fell in love with David while watching SeaChange on ABC last century, and am now watching SeaChange again on ABC IView.....ie all episodes/series. Was disappointed to see him in his role in Goldstone the movie, but then again he's got to make a living and acting is his is working to pay the rent/mortgage and all the rest. He plays good guys and bad guys really well, but always like him in a more romantic role because of his style of acting and of course because of his good look. To me he's the Australian version of Robert Redford.

[@shreyashsisodiya4354]

I want your hair David 😍

[@coffeesugar.4346]

That’s kinda creepy don’t you think

[@thorfinn518]

@@coffeesugar.4346 not really, the person just want to have his hair style that's all.

[@emilygraham7999]

Not gonna Lie, That opening line had me doing a doubletake.

[@sergio178]

Youre Faramir! Great actor also a part of my childhood in LOTR

[@MICHAELMYERSKILLS-xv3eb]

Howard Mitcham legend he can't die by the hand!

[@alma6611]

Diver Dan 🤘🏻

[@susydyson1750]

love it

[@rinkjt1406]

I really love his TED talk and of course his acting✨

[@ChubbyChecker182]

He is just acting here :-)

[@moniqueamado3351]

YES.

[@davidwenham8665]

Thanks for your love and support

[@pratikdhole4451]

Thanks, with love from Mumbai.

[@hypno59]

Very noice..always loved his portrayals.. always brought something intelligent, and sincere to his characterizations. Sponsored by a bank. Ha!

[@gauravneupane8658]

I don't know why I relate with him very much

[@baluj5240]

Wow..❤️

[@dark_mask_gaming7536]

I love the actor job because that my first dream i have 🥰

[@manco828]

Give thanks men to Bold Leonidas! To victory!

[@WarAndHistory.]

Faramir!

[@gehrigcupo3728]

Should have done it in the dilios/deadliest warrior voice, too badass lol

[@bvedepviet]

chị iu ơi cover bài đón xuân của cô như quỳnh nhen, đang trend tóp tóp ạ hehe

[@mikeedwards350]

I'm Troy McClure and this is my Ted Talk.

[@Tridentboy1998]

Hey, look! It's Harold Meechum from Iron Fist season1!

[@alexwilson7699]

yes

[@abdul-q-khan]

People like David are rare so be careful everyone.

[@keef78]

Woah look out. Get a grip.

[@vkbose990]

Plz show on screen Subtitles..... Plz.... So that.. More effective for us

[@angelinabrown2931]

If you tap the three dots on the upper right corner of the screen, you can turn on the captions feature.

[@vkbose990]

@@angelinabrown2931 thanks.

[@vkbose990]

Hey! Where you from? I glad feel to meet you.

[@marwamohammed4145]

💓💓

[@aswinmuraleedharan]

Please add caption in next videos

[@Sinaloa_Cartel]

Look at me... look at what fame got me... I’ve been sitting in prison for majority of my life. I lived life to the fullest while transporting large amounts of products for the cartel. One of my best friends knew we wouldn’t make it long. I’m so grateful that I am trusted enough now to finally be aloud access to KZbin and a slow af computer. O well... price I pay. I miss being free.

[@user-qe7bt9dz1l]

Who?!??

[@sethyk9164]

nice Intro :)

[@manco828]

Spartans! What is your profession? AUU! AUU! AUU!

[@vedrantometic3252]

i was once a LOYA

[@dostmohammad1580]

Stories make us human but Rols and Acting make us perfect human ....

[@bgs03548]

Now, you’re Danny Kaye! Lol

[@zachprice3651]

Imagine he was all those things except an actor tho...

[@Lovelyweatherwearehaving]

I will be an actress

[@BG_InThe614]

No, you ARE an actress!

[@Lovelyweatherwearehaving]

Brian Green 🥺:)

[@lordronn472]

Kano!

[@ThisDJ808]

I wanna be a popstar and get lit

[@TheGrafton12]

Harold Meachum?

[@keef78]

Nice for those that have never experienced true poverty nor hardship.

[@majidjeddah4607]

A B C medication acting for inner soul healing

[@Viv8ldi]

So what was the main message of the talk? Is it that actors are kind of bards or druids of the old time who tell stories to share wisdom? or is it how to become an actor for beginners?

[@umi6283]

I think this talk gives an insight into what acting is and why people do it

[@gliocchiali6075]

This David Wiener guy sure knows what he's talking about.

[@jaredrice4612]

One does not simply act

[@SweetCherry-bs3qk]

POTC: *Lieutenant Scarfield*

[@rimskymetto5951]

who else is watching this in late 2022

[@theoddsitwas149]

"So my king died and my brothers died, barely a year ago" "Long I pondered my King's cryptic talk of victory. Time has proven him wise." "For from free Greek to free Greek, the word was spread that bold Leonidas and his 300, so far from home, laid down their lives -- not just for Sparta, but for all Greece, and the promise this country holds. "Now, here on this ragged patch of earth called Plataea, Xerxes hordes face obliteration!" "Just there the barbarians huddle, sheer terror gripping tight their hearts with icy fingers -- knowing full well what merciless horrors they suffered at the swords and spears of 300." "Yet, they stare now across the plain at 10,000 Spartans commanding 30,000 free Greeks." HA-OOOH! "The enemies outnumbered us a paltry three to one" "Good odd for any Greek" "This day we rescue a world from mysticism and tyranny, and usher in a future brighter than anything we can imagine." "GIVE THANKS, MEN!" "TO LEONISDAS AND THE BRAVE 300" "TO VICTORY!!!!!"

[@user-ez3uk6ls5k]

I have had a talk with my friend recently - she said that if there is no movies, actors and etc, there would no changes appear about it in the world. I found out that there are no things which i can tell her about that, however after watching this performance, I understood what to tell her about that and what is the sense in acting. He is right - Molokai is a sufficient example, i've never known about these things, but after a movie i've read some information about it and known about these poor people, and this information is really needed to be known.

[@ShamRock1938]

VERY Very Impressed with himself

[@Fear_Maker]

Bro kano what are you talking about

[@MCReboot-MCSkyscraper-MCSouth]

Faramir who had a handsome face because of his fullish lips and slightly tilted up eyes.

[@mattgies]

I can't stop fixating on the piece of tape behind his ear.

[@bigtam462]

Van helsing although isn't a great film it is a guilty pleasure movie for me.....this guy stole every scene he was in as Carl..

[@SrimanArcharyaJBC]

My mother and I are not good actors as we prefer being realistic when we where practicing it didn’t really doing anything apart from probably annoying the neighbours if they heard us of the loud speaking. Not acting is not a career for myself or my mother.🤴🏽🕉🔺➕

[@manco828]

Now, here on this ragged patch of earth called Plataea, Xerxes hordes face obliteration!

[@user-yj4ng7tf9y]

Фарамир что с тобой?),

[@ericscarface]

Faramir

[@Roshkitza]

Lord Denethor didn't applaud 😂

[@conormurphy4328]

This man is not at all Jamie Lannister like I first thought he was.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Faramir

[@CATDHD]

He is not the man he used to be

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Next: Donald Trump : What is it? 🤔

[@veganvantage2596]

😂

[@SobberMacSobberMac]

Its not doing it at all. Its acting.

[@DAEGUKJW]

Dilios!! :D

[@upgrade1583]

I don't trust actors unless they have a family.

[@human1513]

You are not serious are you? That is like saying Hells Angels, Politicians & Priests with a family can be trusted. This is not true.

[@MarkusRessel]

@@human1513 Are hells angels, politicians and priests actors?

[@umi6283]

umm.... he does have a family tho

[@lockhart_9593]

?