Actor-centric

Actor-centric, in the context of film, theatre, or other performing arts, describes a production or narrative that prioritizes and revolves around the actor or actors involved. It often features performances tailored to showcase an actor's skills, star power, or versatility, sometimes even at the expense of other elements like plot coherence, thematic depth, or visual spectacle. This approach might involve extensive close-ups, dialogue-heavy scenes focusing on emotional delivery, and narratives structured to highlight the actor's individual journey or transformative performance.

Actor-centric meaning with examples

• The director's decision to use long, uninterrupted takes, focusing solely on the actor's reactions, clearly signaled an actor-centric approach. The narrative, though simple, served primarily as a vehicle for the star's nuanced portrayal of internal conflict. The film's success hinged entirely on their ability to captivate the audience, which they did masterfully, making other aspects secondary.
• The play was criticized for being actor-centric, with extended monologues and dramatic pauses designed to showcase the lead actress's vocal range and emotional depth, at the cost of pacing and ensemble harmony. The audience was given time to be captivated and to admire the actors' skills, as the plot line and other characters fell to the wayside.
• Despite the complex source material, the film adaptation veered towards an actor-centric presentation, streamlining the narrative and prioritizing scenes that allowed the lead actor to demonstrate their versatility. The visuals were simple and unadorned, the attention was all about the stars and their acting abilities
• The marketing campaign's emphasis on the actor's personal journey, their interviews, and the behind-the-scenes footage pointed towards a deliberate actor-centric strategy, aimed at attracting the actor's fanbase. It built an audience before the film's release, it would allow them to relate with the actor more than the film itself.
• While the visual effects were impressive, the action sequences in the new blockbuster film were structured in an actor-centric fashion, with extended close-ups and stylized slow-motion shots emphasizing the actor's physicality and facial expressions, rather than offering a seamless blend of action and cinematography.