Theatre is an actor`s medium: Kevin Spacey

Tampa Bay: Hollywood star and two time academy award winner Kevin Spacey feels film is a director`s and editor`s medium while theatre is an actor`s platform. "I believe one (actor) should continue to do great work. I have problem when people say film and theatre acting is different. I think acting is acting...Either it can be good or bad. I think doing theatre is like being an athlete," Spacey said at the Master Class Panel, one of the myriad sub-events during the main 15th Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend here. "I think film is director`s and editor`s medium while theatre is actor`s medium. One can be better in theatre in two weeks while for films once it is released then you can see and get the response and accordingly better. As far as TV is concerned I feel it is like making long films," he said. Earlier, actress Vidya Balan was to join Spacey at the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Master Class Panel but instead of her it was actress Priyanka Chopra who took part in the session asking Spacey a few questions. Film critic Rajeev Masand was the moderator for the event held today. Spacey began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s. He did supporting roles in films and television. Spacey gained critical acclaim in the early 1990s, culminating in his first Academy Award for `The Usual Suspects` (Best Supporting Actor) (1995) followed by a Best Actor Academy Award for `American Beauty` (1999). His other starring roles in Hollywood include Seven, L.A. Confidential, Pay It Forward, K-PAX, and Superman Returns in a career which has earned him several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Spacey said the primary reason for accepting or rejecting a film is the script. "The quality of the script is important. My parents introduced me to great writing so I have read a lot of quality books. When I read a script I should feel something good and special in it...I believe in good story. Then comes the director and his vision to present the film," Spacey said. On being asked by Priyanka as to why content in Hollywood films was moving from films to TV, Spacey said content was more important than platform. "Hollywood goes into various phases. There was a different phase in 20s, 30s, 50s etc but later the focus shifts. Like there was time when films on vampires, zombies, etc were made but later things changed. Due to content directors, producers moved to other platform. The content is important the platforms will keep coming up," Spacey said.