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The link between soccer/football and acting
20 June 2013
It is peculiar how on occasion,
two seemingly opposite disciplines, actually end up complimenting each
other. They sort of run parallel to one
another. And though their skill set
might appear conflicting or not related at all, they have a symbiotic relationship
towards each other. In this same manner,
musical ability and mathematics are linked.
It is a well-documented fact.
Apparently Mozart himself, was a mathematical genius.
I have often noticed how soccer
and footballing skills, are linked to acting.
No seriously! It’s true.
Few people are better equipped to
give Oscar-winning-worthy performances of fake injuries than soccer
players. In fact, they’ve turned it into
an art form of sorts. And it wouldn’t
surprise me in the least to hear that in preparation for movies like, “Saving
Private Ryan”, “James Bond”, the “Die-Hard” franchise, the “Lethal Weapon”
series, etc., actors like Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Daniel Craig,
etc. became understudies of soccer players and job shadowed them for a period
of time. All done with the hope of
learning from the true masters, the not-so-subtle skills involved in faking
non-existent injuries.
Perhaps they accompanied them to
regular practices for a while? Maybe
even joined them on the pitch and gave it a go themselves. It would make for an ideal opportunity for
the soccer players, to point out exactly how to better dramatize and exaggerate
the appearance of unbearable pain.
Possibly, they also undergo a few voice coaching sessions, in order to
help them to learn how to effectively project their voices and use their vocal
chords to their full ability and capacity.
In that way, they are ensured of giving accurate renditions of howls of
pain and screeches of torture. Huge
emphasis is placed on marrying the exact pain-filled facial expression with the
dramatic clutching of shins. These must
all be synchronised to perfection, lest the game be given away. And a part of the trick, is being able to maintain
the illusion of being gripped by agonising paroxysms of apparent torment. All this done, whilst surreptitiously peeking
to see if your performance is garnering the necessary attention. Most notably that of the referee. Writhing around is super effective, and might
elevate matters to a yellow card and a free corner. However if you’re able to squeeze out a bit
of vomit for extra effect, alongside with claims of concussion and broken
bones, it shows true commitment to your trade.
And for your effort you might be rewarded with a penalty shoot, and a
red card at the very least.
Can you just imagine what a
brilliant soccer player Jason Statham must be?
Why he is able to vividly mimic near-death and sometimes even death
itself. Super believable, I tell
you. Clearly soccer’s loss, was the
acting fraternity’s gain. As well as the
gain of his adoring public.
In the same vein does that mean
that great soccer stars (I mean actors) have decided to make football their
calling, at a loss to the acting world?
Not that he’s given to many displays of fake injuries, but perhaps the
deciding factor that pushed David Beckham into soccer and not acting, was the
high pitched tone of his voice. It does
have a rather piercing, shrill quality to it.
Which might have led to him being typecast in certain roles only. Not giving way to the full spectrum of his
abilities. And so perhaps in his case,
acting’s loss, was a huge gain to football.
One we’re ever so grateful for.
Perhaps many of the football
greats, see soccer only as a short term career.
And have their eye on the long game.
Taking up acting after they’ve reached their shelf life as a
footballer. And so, perhaps, they merely
indulge in faking-non-existent-injuries, to keep their acting skills from
rusting. Furthermore, it also allows for
the opportunity for movie producers, directors, casting agents and the like, to
witness their dual talents, while indulging in watching a soccer game. Rather impressive multi-tasking if you think
about it.
Which makes me think – wonder
when Becks will make his movie debut?
Nah, all things considered he doesn’t really indulge in the
faking-non-existent-injuries thing at all.
So perhaps, we should merely sit on the side lines and wait for Neymar’s
soccer career to wind down.
He might end up being the next
James Bond…..
And to illustrate my theory, I present
you with two youtube clips, which will substantiate my claims. In fact I beg you to disagree. See for yourself.
Ever so dramatic! There must have been acting talent scouts in the crowd.....
Yes, please do answer this question.
Yay! Success! It paid off - yellow card. Yeah-baby. Suck on that!
Every so often even Becks has indulged
Dude, if you can withstand the pain of multiple tattoos, then I'm sure you'll survive a little shin bump. Seriously! Let's keep it real.
Ain't that the truth!
Now this is pretty impressive, I'm sure you'll agree. Giving true meaning to the term - "team effort". I would hope that they at least got a penalty shoot in honour of their dedication.
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