Heath Andrew Ledger
April 4,1979-January 22,2008.
( Aged 28)
Actor/Aspiring Director.
I am at a loss for words. The news of his death has shaken me to my very core. I believe I am in stages of denial. A reality I somehow refuse to accept. I keep replaying it like a scene from a bad movie. For me, this seems like a set up for a long vacation. I know the flood gates of anguish shall soon break open. I will mourn.
The cause of his death, going deeper than just the physical cause, I believe was the severe psychological trauma he suffered due to the roles he played in his movies. In 'The Dark Knight', (another in the Batman series) the last movie he was shooting for, he plays the joker. It affected him. Ledger was one of those actors who got into the head of the character he played. He did it with an honesty that is raw and appealing. But this time, it got to his head.The psyche of character got to him and he couldnt get out.
To prepare for the role he lived alone in a hotel room for a month, formulating the character's posture, voice and psychology. He started a diary, in which he wrote the Joker's thoughts and feelings to guide himself during his performance.
He described the role as , "physically and mentally draining", painting his joker as “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy”.
He was also given Batman: The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth to read, which he "really tried to read but put it down". Heath also cited inspiration in 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'Sid Vicious' .Ultimately, "there’s nothing that is consistent", as his main objective was to frighten the audience.
Ledger received critical acclaim for his role, ''Ennis'', in Brokeback Mountain and also an Oscar nomination for best actor. My first memory of Heath is from 'A Knight's Tale' , I was enchanted by the story and the idea of him. (or was it his character? One could never tell) .
"The challenge was to capture the stillness of him. I have kind of semi-frantic, nervous energy. Harnassing that was something I thought I'd have to work out. Shooting in the wilderness, the stillness became like this innate quality." - on his character "Ennis" in Brokeback Mountain.
Almost everyone around me seems unconcerned. If I were to express my sorrow, it would only be to myself and perhaps one other. And 'practically' speaking, why should I be upset? I did not know him personally. All I did was is appreciate his art, his work. But I felt a connection with him at a personal level. I do believe we all have our bonds, a certain type of attachment with people we appreciate, even though we do not know them, at a 'social' level.
The following is a link to the trailer of ''The Dark Knight'' , watch it. You will be left reeling at sheer fanaticism of his portrayl of the 'Joker', the intensity that was him. There are rumours the movie might not be released. I hope it does, for I want us to appreciate Heath Ledger and the talented genius he was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaIR9dAZRR0
The man was brilliance and perfection, at its best.
I honor his memory.
Heath, you will be missed.
R.I.P
Love
April 4,1979-January 22,2008.
( Aged 28)
Actor/Aspiring Director.
I am at a loss for words. The news of his death has shaken me to my very core. I believe I am in stages of denial. A reality I somehow refuse to accept. I keep replaying it like a scene from a bad movie. For me, this seems like a set up for a long vacation. I know the flood gates of anguish shall soon break open. I will mourn.
The cause of his death, going deeper than just the physical cause, I believe was the severe psychological trauma he suffered due to the roles he played in his movies. In 'The Dark Knight', (another in the Batman series) the last movie he was shooting for, he plays the joker. It affected him. Ledger was one of those actors who got into the head of the character he played. He did it with an honesty that is raw and appealing. But this time, it got to his head.The psyche of character got to him and he couldnt get out.
To prepare for the role he lived alone in a hotel room for a month, formulating the character's posture, voice and psychology. He started a diary, in which he wrote the Joker's thoughts and feelings to guide himself during his performance.
He described the role as , "physically and mentally draining", painting his joker as “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy”.
He was also given Batman: The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth to read, which he "really tried to read but put it down". Heath also cited inspiration in 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'Sid Vicious' .Ultimately, "there’s nothing that is consistent", as his main objective was to frighten the audience.
Ledger received critical acclaim for his role, ''Ennis'', in Brokeback Mountain and also an Oscar nomination for best actor. My first memory of Heath is from 'A Knight's Tale' , I was enchanted by the story and the idea of him. (or was it his character? One could never tell) .
"The challenge was to capture the stillness of him. I have kind of semi-frantic, nervous energy. Harnassing that was something I thought I'd have to work out. Shooting in the wilderness, the stillness became like this innate quality." - on his character "Ennis" in Brokeback Mountain.
Almost everyone around me seems unconcerned. If I were to express my sorrow, it would only be to myself and perhaps one other. And 'practically' speaking, why should I be upset? I did not know him personally. All I did was is appreciate his art, his work. But I felt a connection with him at a personal level. I do believe we all have our bonds, a certain type of attachment with people we appreciate, even though we do not know them, at a 'social' level.
The following is a link to the trailer of ''The Dark Knight'' , watch it. You will be left reeling at sheer fanaticism of his portrayl of the 'Joker', the intensity that was him. There are rumours the movie might not be released. I hope it does, for I want us to appreciate Heath Ledger and the talented genius he was.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
The man was brilliance and perfection, at its best.
I honor his memory.
Heath, you will be missed.
R.I.P
Love
8 comments:
Meher... You have just made me repent!! Today when i looked in the news paper i saw his news but i passed it thinking another actor in the world whats the big deal!
A very very amazing write up right from the heart! *I bow*
Hey i have never heard of him but after reading your post i searched for him on Google.
YOUR WRITE UP IS REALLY FROM THE HEART.
thank you, i guess.
>.<
in real sense "confessional"
u r a true sensitive writer.....
made me numb!!!!!!!!!
yeah,u made me realise how important he was!its a great loss for all people associated with theatre(where he startd frm) and acting world!At 28,he had already garnered so much praise and respect for his wrk!
i feel sad fr Matilda,his 2yr old daughter!aww.... ;(
Its really tough to "express" when the HEART mourns...!
I got a glimpse of ur "other side" in this post meher.. and I have begun to respect it..!!
Hope u understand what I mean......
Heath.. a sun ray lent to the world for such a short interval shall be missed!
Believe me you're not the only one,his fans will always miss him and it's so hard to accept that he's no longer with us.
R.I.P Heath Ledger(1979-2008)
You'll live in our hearts forever..
He seemed to be so full of life, he had so much going for him. I never seen this coming at all. The saddest part for me is that he left a little daughter behind, and she doesn't even realize it yet. Luckily she has a very supportive family who will never let her forget who her daddy was.
God bless the Ledgers
I just want to tell you that he had fun playing the Joker, even his parents mentioned that he had fun doing it.
I think it’s pretty clear what happened… He was over worked, stressed and just mixed up his meds. I wouldn’t say that that the Joker’s twisted character messed with his head, but having that many projects on your hands and using method acting can take it’s toll.
ok sirjee.
just a theory it is.
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