The Measured Elegance That Sir Patrick Stewart Brought to the Role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Science fiction essayist Rowen J. Coleman, who previously explored the misunderstood yet dynamic authenticity of William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk, looked at the very measured yet elegant grace that Sir Patrick Stewartbrought to his role asCaptain Jean-Luc PicardinStar Trek: The Next Generation.
A look at the acting techniques used by Sir Patrick Stewart while playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek The Next Generation. Though his expert use of precise diction, rhythm and body language, he turned Captain Picard into a cultural icon.
Coleman further notes that while Kirk's mind was faster than his mouth, Picard was deliberate in his pauses, knowing exactly what he wanted to say before saying it, which gave him an air of authority with a great deal of approachability.
Patrick Stewart as Picard always thinks before he speaks ...He's always the one dictating the pace of conversations. As he pauses to consider his next words, everyone else waits for him to finish speaking. He also doesn't give orders without carefully considering the information presented to him.
Coleman also points to Picard's severe body language, which again nodded to the authority of his role as captain.
Picard's sense of control also extends to his body language. He's relaxed in the captain's chair, but always sitting up straight. When he walks, he usually has his arms bolted to his sides. When he's speaking to someone, he always maintains eye contact, only looking away when he's thinking about what they're saying. When he does gesture, the movements are often slow, deliberate, and precise.
William Shatner as Captain James T. KirkThe Dynamic Authenticity That William Shatner Brought to His Role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek'
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