Acting via Micro-expression - Mile's Kinn
A case study of acting techniques
I think everyone agrees now that Mile and Apo are actors of remarkable talent but I continued to be floored by how well Mile employs micro-expressions to say so much in such little time.
One of favourite scenes is this one where we can't even see his whole face with the sunglasses but it's his intent is crystal clear. He is not judging Porsche for his shyness but he is also not accomodating it. He is gentle but stubborn, even slightly bemused and infinitely understanding. We are here, we are proud, we are not going to hide - that's what he is telling Porsche and us the viewers solely through the set of his eyebrows and mouth.
Another favourite is this one. Kinn is hurt because Porsche is hurt and he is the reason for that hurt and he knows it but he can't do anything about it. He in guilty but also pitying of himself - selfish of him considering the situation but he's human. Mile is not even moving here but you see the slightest shift in his gaze. Again a masterclass in acting.
This is one of his longer scenes and he's very clearly moving his face but Mile is still able to convey 10 different emotions with very little expression - fear, disbelief, confusion, reluctance even slight frustration.
Hell Mile is even good with comedy which in my opinion is a very tough acting gig if you don't have a natural inclination for it. He embodies the disgruntled awkwardness of Kinn perfectly here.
Just- look at this. How seamlessly Mile transitions from horny playfulness to.. not sad exactly... a resolved fear is what it feels like to me. as viewers we never lose the beat of Kinn's emotions, not even for a moment. Considering the setting, this is exceedingly domestic and intimate. It's painful to be in so much love, painful to want to protect someone and but not being able to. He is afraid and fond and in love and even a little guilty and you feel that in less that 3 seconds, without words without any big emoting.
Any other actor would do this scene with double the flourish and half the impact.
Another scene of complex emotions - Kinn is smiling but it's such a sad smile. he knows that things have not been made right with Porsche. Porsche has accepted his apology but not because it was a good apology but because of Porsche's personality. Kinn realises that but also understands that now is not the time to push him. There's sadness, there's also guilt, there's also an immense sense of protectiveness over Porsche. Kinn wants to protect Porsche, ironically from himself - his past self. There's pity and this time not for himself but for Porsche not just because Kinn loves Porsche but because its human to empathize with another's pain.
Don't think I even need to mention this moment. This is stuff legends now in the KP fandom so won't elaborate.
And the last gif here to emphasize that it's not just micro-expressions that Mile is good at. He is good with the emotive bit of acting as well. You can almost feel the relief of quenching your thirst after a long spell of dehydration.
