The performance in the 2014 short film ‘Unedited Footage of a Bear’ is effectively demonstrated to communicate the difference of characters being shown in the film, specifically between the unnamed woman who we presume to be Donna and her alter ego, the main difference between her and the alter ego is the performance of the actor although there are aspects like makeup and costume that contribute to the audience’s sense of which character we are observing.

The performance of the unnamed woman in “Unedited Footage of a Bear” is unsettling and eerie, as the film aims to create a sense of unease and horror. The woman appears in a fictional television commercial for a medication called ‘Claridryl,’ which is supposed to treat allergies. However, the commercial quickly takes a dark turn and becomes increasingly disturbing. The actress’s performance effectively conveys a mix of fear, confusion, and distress as the commercial descends into chaos. The character’s portrayal however, coupled with the strange and unpredictable events in the commercial, leaves the audience with a sense of discomfort and a lingering feeling of unease. Naremore J. says “The audience remains present to the actor, sending our vibrations and signs that influence the intensity, pace or content of any given performance”. This is achieved thanks to the actress’s performance and behaviour as each character switching between happy and cheerful then leaning towards normal and concerned ultimately switching to the dramatic and unhinged actress.

As a filmmaker, being aware of this technique of performance as a tool for directing audience experience is made abundantly clear in the short film because without the contrast of a sane versus unhinged ‘Donna’ the message of the film and the audience’s reception of which character is being portrayed becomes skewed and unclear. The performance of the unnamed woman is crucial to the success of “Unedited Footage of a Bear” in delivering its intended message and creating a memorable and disturbing viewing experience

Reference List:

Alan Resnick, Ben O’Brien (director) (2014) Unedited Footage of a Bear [Short Film], Adult Swim, United States

Naremore, J. (1988), Acting in the Cinema. Univ of California Press.