It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon here in Virginia, and yesterday was equally wonderful. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. Outside the window that I've positioned myself by, I can hear the peaceful splash of the fountain in the courtyard. All of it is letting me know that after one of the longest and coldest winters that I've experienced in my as of yet brief lifetime, Spring is finally here, and Summer is rapidly approaching. A week from tomorrow, my father and sister will arrive to visit, and two days later we will depart for the 23-hour drive home to Texas. Spring fever has officially taken over, and all of my instincts beg me to go lay outside in the sun, warm my skin, and maybe even take a nap or go for a canoe ride on the lake.
My instincts will have to wait, though, because this coming week marks the beginning of finals, and as every current or former college student knows, that means my time is not my own. Yesterday, today, and the next two days are dedicated to (as well as a series of smaller projects and assignments that make up my to-do list) completing an ten-page research essay for my Stardom and Hollywood Cinema class.
And I don't mind it one bit.
It's exactly the kind of assignment I love: specific in the requirements demanded of me and on a subject I'm interested in. The class itself is about examining the lives and roles of stars and the impact they have had in the past and continue to have on our culture, as well as the film industry. For our final project, we were asked to examine the lives of two specific actors/actresses of our choosing (of the same gender): one from the 20s-50s and one contemporary star. After providing basic biographical information, we are to research their roles in the media, do a critical analysis of one movie for each actor, and then apply the readings we have done over the course of the semester to the actors' careers.
I'm not sure how that sounds to everyone else, but I'm completely fascinated by the topic. I chose James Dean and Heath Ledger, and I'm taking a close look at many of their similarities: brief careers, dedication to the craft, peaceful childhood, major success after death. Amongst other things, I'm most enjoying the quotes I've found from both men, so I think that's what I'll end this with.
"To grasp the full significance of life is the actor's duty; to interpret it his problem; and to express it his dedication. Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have. Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done." ~James Dean
"My parents left my soul and spirit untouched. They gave me nothing but confidence and love. And I think that’s all you need. As long as you’re surrounded by love, it gives you the confidence to do anything.” ~Heath Ledger
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