Nina Lu-Core Response 3

 This week’s reading of Richard Dyer’s Stars through Paul McDonald’s supplementary chapter pushed me to consider how star autonomy is heavily shaped through how they choose to take their performances after their initial break-out role. McDonald emphasizes that whether a famous actor has autonomy is determined through whether their performances are an “impersonation” or “personification.” An example of an impersonation is how Meryl Streep changes her accent for her roles, “signifying her commitment” to the art and earning her a “respectful recognition” as a multi-faceted actress (Dyer 185). Meanwhile, an example of a personification actor is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Despite earning far more than Streep in the box office with his films, he’s failed to be recognized as a talented actor because he’s criticized on how he “always plays himself” (Dyer 185). 

This phenomenon prevents a very specific group of stars from achieving autonomy– ex Disney Channel and Nickelodeon child actors. Though they might’ve just taken on one role for these networks, these actors have such a strong, characterized introduction to the industry that they are automatically set on a path as personification actors. Some actors such as Laura Moreno have succeeded by succumbing to her set path and continuing to act in lighthearted, comedic material that requires the same acting style of her. She, like Schwarzenegger, can continue to have a lucrative career like this, but will lack the critical acclaim for acting as her co-stars Ross Lynch and Calum Worthy have for proving their range and taking on more serious and violent roles of serial-killers and murderers.

Do you think these child actors have been pre-set on a track to become personification actors? Do you think an unknown actor would have a much better chance of obtaining a serious role over a previous children’s network actor? Or do you think these ex child actors are more likely to book serious roles after their break-out one?