Bronson Pinchot’s Reflections on Acting and His Role in “The Residence”

Bronson Pinchot recounts a pivotal moment in his theatrical career where a seemingly insignificant pause completely derailed a performance. This experience, he shares, highlighted the crucial difference between acting and simply being.

Pinchot’s conversation with Shondaland delves into his pragmatic approach to his craft, accumulated over years spent on stage, in front of the camera, and behind the microphone as a prolific audiobook narrator. He emphasizes the importance of conveying emotions without explicitly revealing his acting techniques.

His current role as Didier Gotthard, the enigmatic pastry chef in Netflix’s “The Residence,” presented a unique challenge. Unlike his famously demonstrative role as Balki Bartokomous in “Perfect Strangers,” Gotthard is a restrained character with a hidden secret, adding layers of complexity to the performance.

In an interview, Pinchot discusses his immediate understanding of the script’s subtlety. He describes the script’s economical style, allowing for much to remain unsaid, thus creating a rich environment for acting.

Pinchot’s character in “The Residence” provided a welcome change from his typically expressive roles, allowing him to explore the nuances of understated emotion. He contrasts this with his experience in the theater, where being fully present, rather than merely demonstrating emotion, proves most effective. Film, however, necessitates a different approach, he explains.

One noteworthy moment on set involved intentionally underplaying his role. He employed a mental image of locking down his emotions, a technique that resonated with the directors and producers. He contrasts this approach to his earlier, more demonstrative television roles where interactions with fans sometimes felt intrusive.

Pinchot emphasizes the crucial role of scene partners, suggesting that excellent partners require minimal direction. He shares his coaching philosophy, advising actors to focus on “being” rather than “acting.”

A particularly memorable on-set moment involved a scene with either Andre Braugher or Giancarlo Esposito, depending on the version. The shared experience and the unexpected display of old photographs created an authentic and deeply felt moment on screen.

The production of “The Residence” involved shooting multiple versions of scenes, reflecting different perspectives and potential realities. Pinchot appreciated the complexity of the narrative and the ambiguity surrounding each character’s potential involvement in the mystery. He reveals his knack for solving whodunits, frequently identifying the culprit early on.

Outside his acting career, Pinchot finds joy in renovating homes and creating oases. He sees this as an extension of his acting skills, transforming spaces as he once shaped his characters’ realities.

[[img alt=”Giancarlo and Bronson Pinchot in ‘The Residence'” src=”/_next/image”]][[img alt=”Netflix” src=”/_next/image”]]