Willim Willson (photos) is an American photographer/writer/thinker who has been living in Paris since the beginning of 2010. He splits his time between wandering the city, taking photos, and starving. Things he likes include cheese, witnessing public displays of affection, and adventure. Things he misses about America include big gulps and people. Specific people. The people he loves.

L’Acteur de L’Atomosphere

I still consider myself a recent graduate. I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, and received my degree in fashion design. My school offered a variety of departments associated with the arts and design, and with numerous friends studying to become film majors, I found myself working on film-sets as a stylist. I became so enamored of life on set that I often lost my fashion focus by all the attractions found within the film scene, and the actors’ scene.

With that, I embrace this assignment. Whether in L.A., New York, London, or Paris the scenes may have vast differences between themselves. I haven’t an idea what it means to be an actor, and what I offer here is an outsider’s voice to this insider’s site. This is not an entry of comparisons between fashion design and acting, nor is it a comparison between one city and another, yet a discovery all it’s own.

My French still is lacking. I could not figure out the fitting phrase for my topic: The Actor’s Scene. For me, the word “scene” automatically calls for stereotypes, and to avoid tainting any first impressions with unwanted assumptions I opt for more of an “atmospheric observation.”

I repeated aloud over and over again to lose my American accent, “L’Acteur de L’Atmosphere.” With a title for my assignment and the latest copy of Pariscope, a weekly journal that offers pages and pages of the upcoming entertaining events, I was off to explore the life of actors in Paris.

Theatre Espace Marais

Living in Paris I find myself continually wandering though Le Marais. It is my favorite neighborhood to people-watch, and in fact, a neighborhood filled with small theaters. Amongst the many, there is one school particularly which has intrigued me. With it’s red façade and location just right around the corner from L’Eglise Saint Paul and down the street from the Bastille, the Theatre Espace Marais gave me my first look inside the scene.

A woman waits for the metro in front of a wall plastered with theater billing

Julie Harle, the assistant director of the school, explained that every performer starts on the stage. In French, that performer is known as a comedienne, which is separate from one who may act in the cinema. She, herself, is not an actress but loves her affiliation with the art. She informed me of the many different acting schools located in Le Marais. This quarter is the area most associated with theatric performances, it is here where one would easily stumble across a small theatre and be warmly welcomed to come in and have a coffee and watch an afternoon performance. The evening performances are also nice, and offer a pleasant, low-key alternative to going-out. There seems to be a cozy welcoming to any who enter. I got the impression that similar to any neighborhood boulangerie, café, or bar – people recognize each other and there is a sense of community.

Giulio Serafini and Margie Viglietti discuss the reasons they left Italy to pursue the Theater in Paris

When Julie began working for the theatre she was surprised that the plays would be booked during the holidays. For instance on New Year’s Eve, she assumed that Parisians would want to do something on a grander scale, but instead she found that a considerable amount of people wanted nothing more than to spend the evening entertained at the little theatre with their friends and their spiced wine. Even the actors and actresses, who are not making a fortune, instead seem to be nourished by the community they are making with each other and their spectators.

Parisiens wait for the performance to begin at the Théâtre du Gymnase

Fortunately my French language school has students of diverse backgrounds, and a friend of a friend is trying to make his way in this actors’ community. An Italian actor, who has made Paris his home, he says that the city really supports the arts. Being in the European-Union, he is entitled to work here as long as he can communicate and act in French. Tax money goes to theater performers even if they are not currently involved in a play. In a sense it is like an unemployment check that is specifically for those who perform.

It is a curious industry to be involved with, especially knowing that there is such state support. Does the comfort with this sort of easy-living improve one’s performance, or does it diminish genuine talent and ambition?

The cast of Cinderella answers questions from the audience following a performance

It seems possible, but then I imagine myself in such a community, where struggle is replaced with support. I have yet to feel that sort of support in the Paris fashion world, and after this research I ask myself if I in fact need a change of atmosphere. A movie quote comes to mind from the 1938 French film, Hotel du Nord, where Louis Jouvet says he needs a change of atmosphere, and Arletty, in an epic tone of voice says, “Atmosphere, atmosphere, est-ce que j’ai une gueule d’atmosphere?” (Translation – Jouvet: I need a change of air. Arletty: Do I look like an atmosphere to you?”) I see myself as Louis Jouvet, and my fashion endeavors as Arletty. Though, my recent discoveries of L’Acteur de L’atmosphere have offered a new sense of possibility and community, and I have decided to embrace the scene I am associated with, and support the scene I am newly fond of.

For upcoming L’Acteur de L’Atmospere events in Paris check out www.premiere.fr, associated with Pariscope.