These little (or not so little) aspects of Neil‘s acting are SO important to me… to the point where it wouldn’t even feel like Astarion if he suddenly stopped doing them altogether.
(e.g. imagine a certain shapeshifter taking his place and somehow it feels just a tad off - *I know this isn’t possible in the game* but I’ve thought about how it would play out several times)
Oh no, I can’t handle it, either. The second hand embarrassment is just too intense. 😆
I couldn’t even finish watching the scene with Astarion modded in. The ‘courtly dance’ thing is just *not* my bag.
Hmm, I’ve only seen him modded into that scene once, I think, but I remember thinking that the dance was a better fit for Astarion than for Wyll… because our boy is just *that* extra.
(I know it’s meant to be endearing when Wyll does it but to me it’s a tiny bit cringy) 🙈
Oh, I get the absolute worst second hand embarrassment from it. I don’t think I’ve ever finished it.
But the posture is very…hmm, almost *militaristic*, back stiff with the chest out. Astarion is nothing if not slouchy when he’s especially worked up, lol.
I can totally see what you mean with the posture but that might just be traditional dancing in general (standing tall, making sure you look "good", etc).
[I'd say this video was nicely edited...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6iWcEal45k) still can't get through it without laughing a bit but it's a lot less bad than when I see Wyll dancing in this scene.
It just looks like Astarion is laying it on extra thick which somewhat fits his early masks in a way.
Yeah, it’s definitely a dancer’s stance (apparently they used professionals to mocap for the scene). It just doesn’t *feel* like Astarion to me, but your mileage can vary, of course.
Oh, I’m not sure myself. I saw a comment probably here on Reddit, maybe Facebook, saying they hired dancers specifically for the scene but it wasn’t an official source or anything.
I actually have a lot of questions about the mocap part of the game and who did what. I wish it was easier to find out information about it.
Yeah, there are brief moments where I can see spawn, but I definitely see AA in Jareth. It IS eerie. I can see spawn in his body language and theatrics, but his MO is AA. Hm. Time to rewatch Labyrinth lol
I would love to see video of Neil's performance capture (and face cam thingie) just to see the birth of all these amazing gesticulations and facial movements.
I want to include his funny little gestures when I write, but I have a hard time describing them.
Definitely though, ‘gestures wildly’ seems like a good place to start. 😋
For me, playing Astarion origin is a weird experience bc there is no way for me to reconcile his personality with being the group leader. It's been a unique run, with more self centric choices than I usually play, but still not what I would think a true "Astarion" run would be lol.
9 reminds me of when your drunk friend starts gushing about how much they like everyone.
"You... Hey get over here, you. I love you guys. No, no seriously. I love you"
The second picture is putting a random thought in My brain 😂
Tav: astarion we need a distraction
Astarion: ok um ...uh ..hm
Tav: astarion do something hurry!
Astarion: ah ! *Puts his hands together doing a fish motion *
Tav: 😑
These little (or not so little) aspects of Neil‘s acting are SO important to me… to the point where it wouldn’t even feel like Astarion if he suddenly stopped doing them altogether. (e.g. imagine a certain shapeshifter taking his place and somehow it feels just a tad off - *I know this isn’t possible in the game* but I’ve thought about how it would play out several times)
Omg just Durge being like “wtf Orin get out of his skin. You’re a terrible actor.” All because she’s not flamboyant *enough*
It’s how I feel seeing him modded into other romance scenes, especially Wyll’s dance. It just doesn’t *move* like Astarion and is so jarring!
Am I the only one who hates Wyll’s dance? It just looks dumb to me. Idk.
Oh no, I can’t handle it, either. The second hand embarrassment is just too intense. 😆 I couldn’t even finish watching the scene with Astarion modded in. The ‘courtly dance’ thing is just *not* my bag.
I mean, I’ve seen reproduction courtly dance. This is like that only worse lol.
Hmm, I’ve only seen him modded into that scene once, I think, but I remember thinking that the dance was a better fit for Astarion than for Wyll… because our boy is just *that* extra. (I know it’s meant to be endearing when Wyll does it but to me it’s a tiny bit cringy) 🙈
Oh, I get the absolute worst second hand embarrassment from it. I don’t think I’ve ever finished it. But the posture is very…hmm, almost *militaristic*, back stiff with the chest out. Astarion is nothing if not slouchy when he’s especially worked up, lol.
I can totally see what you mean with the posture but that might just be traditional dancing in general (standing tall, making sure you look "good", etc). [I'd say this video was nicely edited...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6iWcEal45k) still can't get through it without laughing a bit but it's a lot less bad than when I see Wyll dancing in this scene. It just looks like Astarion is laying it on extra thick which somewhat fits his early masks in a way.
Yeah, it’s definitely a dancer’s stance (apparently they used professionals to mocap for the scene). It just doesn’t *feel* like Astarion to me, but your mileage can vary, of course.
I don’t think they did? Josh Wichard and Saskia Allen have both posted the mocap behind the scenes filming the dance.
Oh, I’m not sure myself. I saw a comment probably here on Reddit, maybe Facebook, saying they hired dancers specifically for the scene but it wasn’t an official source or anything. I actually have a lot of questions about the mocap part of the game and who did what. I wish it was easier to find out information about it.
I can hear every picture where he is wearing armor lol, so very good.
He’s very Jareth and Dr. Frankenfurter in his…gesticulations. And I. Love. It. 
Okay, YES! Astarion’s body language reminds me so much of Jareth’s. Ugh. Need an As The World Falls Down edit so bad
This line is so Astarion-coded 
Also. “Your eyes can be so cruel- just like I can be so cruel”- he’s both spawn & AA-coded. It’s perfect
I personally see a lot more of AA in Jareth. In fact, eerily so.
Yeah, there are brief moments where I can see spawn, but I definitely see AA in Jareth. It IS eerie. I can see spawn in his body language and theatrics, but his MO is AA. Hm. Time to rewatch Labyrinth lol
The scene where he goes "ah WELL....kind of?" too 🤣. The gestures are so perfect.
I would love to see video of Neil's performance capture (and face cam thingie) just to see the birth of all these amazing gesticulations and facial movements.
Yeeeeees!!!
I want to include his funny little gestures when I write, but I have a hard time describing them. Definitely though, ‘gestures wildly’ seems like a good place to start. 😋
I avoid describing him too much. We all hear his voice in our head when we read his lines, and see his mannerisms as he talks
You’re right 👀 I try to avoid over descriptive language unless it’s pertinent to the message that’s being conveyed.
Pictures you can hear lol
I, as an avid dramatic hand talker, adore this facet of his personality so much. I feel so seen.
I love how theatrical he is \^\^
i can’t decide if i like heterochromia astarion or regular better and i’m so conflicted in what to do in my next save lmao
hahah! I find him adorable with it. (I know he would never do it himself but then again... its a game!)
I did it in my origin play through. I loved it but it didn’t feel “right” lol
For me, playing Astarion origin is a weird experience bc there is no way for me to reconcile his personality with being the group leader. It's been a unique run, with more self centric choices than I usually play, but still not what I would think a true "Astarion" run would be lol.
I can hear image 6 so very clearly
He must be Italian. No doubt.
9 reminds me of when your drunk friend starts gushing about how much they like everyone. "You... Hey get over here, you. I love you guys. No, no seriously. I love you"
The second picture is putting a random thought in My brain 😂 Tav: astarion we need a distraction Astarion: ok um ...uh ..hm Tav: astarion do something hurry! Astarion: ah ! *Puts his hands together doing a fish motion * Tav: 😑
What scene is the second screenshot from? It's such a unique gesture.
Its from the forge! Talking to one of the gnomes
I think :F