In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that is composed of multiple principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.[1][2]
In contrast to the popular model, which gives precedence to a sole protagonist, an ensemble cast leans more towards a sense of "collectivity and community".[3]
Cinema
Ensemble casts in film were introduced as early as September 1916, with D. W. Griffith's silent epic filmIntolerance, featuring four separate though parallel plots.[4] The film follows the lives of several characters over hundreds of years, across different cultures and time periods.[5] The unification of different plot lines and character arcs is a key characteristic of ensemble casting in film; whether it's a location, event, or an overarching theme that ties the film and characters together.[4]
Films that feature ensembles tend to emphasize the interconnectivity of the characters, even when the characters are strangers to one another.[6] The interconnectivity is often shown to the audience through examples of the "six degrees of separation" theory, and allows them to navigate through plot lines using cognitive mapping.[6] Examples of this method, where the six degrees of separation is evident in films with an ensemble cast, are in productions such as Love Actually,Crash, and Babel, which all have strong underlying themes interwoven within the plots that unify each film.[4]
The Avengers, X-Men, and Justice League are three examples of ensemble casts in the superhero genre.[7] In The Avengers, there is no need for a single central protagonist as each character shares equal importance in the narrative, successfully balancing the ensemble cast.[8] Referential acting is a key factor in executing this balance, as ensemble cast members "play off each other rather than off reality".[3]
Hollywood movies with ensemble casts tend to use numerous actors of high renown and/or prestige, instead of one or two "big stars" and a lesser-known supporting cast.[citation needed]
Television
Ensemble casting also became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on different characters in different episodes. In addition, the departure of players is less disruptive than would be the case with a regularly structured cast. The television series The Golden Girls and Friends are archetypal examples of ensemble casts in American sitcoms. The science-fiction mystery drama Lost features an ensemble cast. Ensemble casts of 20 or more actors are common in soap operas, a genre that relies heavily on the character development of the ensemble.[9] The genre also requires continuous expansion of the cast as the series progresses, with soap operas such as General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful staying on air for decades.[10]
An example of a success for television in ensemble casting is the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones. The fantasy series features one of the largest ensemble casts on the small screen.[11] The series is notorious for major character deaths, resulting in constant changes within the ensemble.[12]
^Steven Withrow; Alexander Danner (2007). Character design for graphic novels. Focal Press/Rotovision. p. 112. ISBN9780240809021. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
^ abMathijs, Ernest (March 1, 2011). "Referential acting and the ensemble cast". Screen. 52 (1): 89–96. doi:10.1093/screen/hjq063 – via academic.oup.com.
^ abc"Ensemble Film, Postmodernity and Moral Mapping". www.screeningthepast.com.
^ abSilvey, Vivien (June 5, 2009). "Not Just Ensemble Films: Six Degrees, Webs, Multiplexity and the Rise of Network Narratives". FORUM: University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Journal of Culture & the Arts (8) – via www.forumjournal.org.
^Child, Ben (April 23, 2012). "Avengers Assemble disarms the critics" – via www.theguardian.com.
^"Joss Whedon talks in depth about the ensemble cast of 'The Avengers'". www.hypable.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
^Ford, Sam (15 September 2008). "View of Soap operas and the history of fan discussion | Transformative Works and Cultures". Transformative Works and Cultures. 1. doi:10.3983/twc.2008.042.
^"The Survival of Soap Opera (Part Two):The History and Legacy of Serialized Television". Henry Jenkins.
^Campbell, Scott (June 10, 2014). "David Cameron: 'I'm a Game of Thrones fan'" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
^Brereton, Adam (June 12, 2013). "The Game of Thrones: Nobody wins, everybody dies". ABC Religion & Ethics.
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In a dramatic production an ensemble cast is one that is composed of multiple principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time 1 2 Contents 1 Structure 1 1 Cinema 1 2 Television 2 See also 3 ReferencesStructure EditIn contrast to the popular model which gives precedence to a sole protagonist an ensemble cast leans more towards a sense of collectivity and community 3 Cinema Edit Ensemble casts in film were introduced as early as September 1916 with D W Griffith s silent epic film Intolerance featuring four separate though parallel plots 4 The film follows the lives of several characters over hundreds of years across different cultures and time periods 5 The unification of different plot lines and character arcs is a key characteristic of ensemble casting in film whether it s a location event or an overarching theme that ties the film and characters together 4 Films that feature ensembles tend to emphasize the interconnectivity of the characters even when the characters are strangers to one another 6 The interconnectivity is often shown to the audience through examples of the six degrees of separation theory and allows them to navigate through plot lines using cognitive mapping 6 Examples of this method where the six degrees of separation is evident in films with an ensemble cast are in productions such as Love Actually Crash and Babel which all have strong underlying themes interwoven within the plots that unify each film 4 The Avengers X Men and Justice League are three examples of ensemble casts in the superhero genre 7 In The Avengers there is no need for a single central protagonist as each character shares equal importance in the narrative successfully balancing the ensemble cast 8 Referential acting is a key factor in executing this balance as ensemble cast members play off each other rather than off reality 3 Hollywood movies with ensemble casts tend to use numerous actors of high renown and or prestige instead of one or two big stars and a lesser known supporting cast citation needed Television Edit Ensemble casting also became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on different characters in different episodes In addition the departure of players is less disruptive than would be the case with a regularly structured cast The television series The Golden Girls and Friends are archetypal examples of ensemble casts in American sitcoms The science fiction mystery drama Lost features an ensemble cast Ensemble casts of 20 or more actors are common in soap operas a genre that relies heavily on the character development of the ensemble 9 The genre also requires continuous expansion of the cast as the series progresses with soap operas such as General Hospital Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful staying on air for decades 10 An example of a success for television in ensemble casting is the Emmy Award winning HBO series Game of Thrones The fantasy series features one of the largest ensemble casts on the small screen 11 The series is notorious for major character deaths resulting in constant changes within the ensemble 12 See also EditAll star Polyphony literature Supergroup music List of ensemble moviesReferences Edit Random House ensemble acting Linked 2013 07 17 Steven Withrow Alexander Danner 2007 Character design for graphic novels Focal Press Rotovision p 112 ISBN 9780240809021 Retrieved 2009 09 05 a b Mathijs Ernest March 1 2011 Referential acting and the ensemble cast Screen 52 1 89 96 doi 10 1093 screen hjq063 via academic oup com a b c Ensemble Film Postmodernity and Moral Mapping www screeningthepast com Intolerance 1916 www filmsite org a b Silvey Vivien June 5 2009 Not Just Ensemble Films Six Degrees Webs Multiplexity and the Rise of Network Narratives FORUM University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Journal of Culture amp the Arts 8 via www forumjournal org Child Ben April 23 2012 Avengers Assemble disarms the critics via www theguardian com Joss Whedon talks in depth about the ensemble cast of The Avengers www hypable com November 19 2011 Retrieved 2020 06 15 Ford Sam 15 September 2008 View of Soap operas and the history of fan discussion Transformative Works and Cultures Transformative Works and Cultures 1 doi 10 3983 twc 2008 042 The Survival of Soap Opera Part Two The History and Legacy of Serialized Television Henry Jenkins Campbell Scott June 10 2014 David Cameron I m a Game of Thrones fan via www telegraph co uk Brereton Adam June 12 2013 The Game of Thrones Nobody wins everybody dies ABC Religion amp Ethics Portal Film Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ensemble cast amp oldid 1126807253, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
