supporting players
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The actors in a play, film, or other production who perform secondary roles: This term refers specifically to the members of a cast who are not the main characters (the principals or leads). Their roles are important for the story but are not the central focus.
Usage
- The term is used in the context of theater, film, and television to discuss casting, performance, and the structure of a narrative.
- It functions as a collective noun for the group of actors in non-leading roles.
- It is often used in contrast to "stars," "leads," or "principal actors."
Examples
- Noun:
- While the lead actor was excellent, the supporting players truly brought the world of the film to life.
- The director held a separate rehearsal for the supporting players to work on the crowd scenes.
- Her performance stood out even among the talented supporting players.
Advanced Usage
- The concept can be extended metaphorically to refer to people in secondary but important roles in any group or endeavor.
- In the successful project, the manager was the lead, and the rest of the team were the essential supporting players.
Variants and Related Words
- Supporting actor/actress (n): An individual actor performing a secondary role. (e.g., )
- Supporting role (n): The secondary character played by an actor. (e.g., )
- Cast (n): The collective group of all actors in a production.
- Ensemble (n): A group of performers who all contribute equally to a performance, often without a single clear star.
Synonyms
- Secondary cast
- Ensemble cast (when emphasizing the group over individual stars)
- Minor characters (refers more to the roles than the actors)
Antonyms
- Leads
- Principals
- Stars
- Main characters
Noun
- a cast other than the principals