A performance involves giving life to a character.
The first thing to do is determine the etymological origin of the term performance that we will analyze in depth below. Specifically, we have to emphasize that that word comes from Latin, more precisely from the verb actuare , which in turn emanates from another previous one: agere , which can be translated as "do."
Acting is the action and effect of acting (putting into action, assimilating, exercising functions, acting or producing an effect). The term is usually used to name the staging performed by an actor (a person who plays a role whether in theater , film , television or another medium).
Acting as interpretation of a character
The performance begins with a personal search by the actor to know and understand his character , which may be fictional or based on reality. It should be noted that, in any case, the character will never be the real person.
The actor is in charge of personifying and giving life to the character , putting on stage what, according to him, is his essence. The performance includes physical characterization (achieved through costumes, makeup, wigs, visual effects and other tools). The actor's objective is to be credible and credible, allowing the viewer to enter the story and suspend the notion of reality.
For example: “Marlon Brando's performance in The Godfather is one of the most brilliant in the history of cinema” , “I was surprised by Guillermo Francella's performance in his latest film” , “The model told journalists that her dream is dedicate yourself to acting.”
In the field of music, a performance is a live presentation.
Great personifications
There are many film actors who have managed to go down in history as authentic references precisely because of their performances in some of their films. This would be the case, for example, of Humphrey Bogart who managed to dazzle everyone with his role in the legendary film “Casablanca” .
Nor should we forget Morgan Freeman in “Life Sentence” , Jack Lemmon in “The Apartment” , Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump” or Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver” .
In the female case, we also find actresses who have gone down in history for their great performances in cinema: Kate Winstlet in “Titanic” , Bette Davis in “Eva Naked” or Greta Garbo in “Ninotchka” .
Performance in the field of music
However, we must not overlook the fact that performance is a word that is also used very frequently in the musical field. Thus, in this it is usually said that a singer has had a performance in a specific city or that a group has closed its schedule of performances throughout the country.
To better understand this meaning we could give the following example: “The Spanish singer Malú gave a masterful performance at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid that managed to dazzle all those in attendance.”
Other uses of the concept
Performance can also refer to the exercise of functions . A public official has to act (act) in a certain way to fulfill his obligations: “The judge's actions were disapproved by the victims' families,” “We need a more committed performance on the part of the deputies.”
In colloquial language, finally, the performance is associated with a lie : “My son told me that his stomach hurt and that he didn't want to go to school, but I didn't believe his performance.”