Method Acting: The Stanislavski Factor
As actors we will always express our own thoughts regarding acting and the way we perceive our craft but let's just stop to think about this for a minute. When we consider film for example, the whole area of performing may very well be one of the most underestimated issues in film actuates.
So looking at an actor, what actually is it that he or she contributes to film, and further to this, how does the actor go about achieving it?
This is
interesting because when we look at successful film
actors and performers we can very easily argue that
the actors who achieve the greatest impact,
ironically are the actors who actually do not act. I
know that sounds a little crazy but try to hear me
out here! It remains to be said that great actors
can be thought of to be not acting but to actually
be themselves and to 'REACT'
These factors closely relate to a very powerful
acting method known as The Stanislavski Method. This
method was to get actors not to follow the customary
way of doing performing on stage but rather to focus
their actions, speech, movements etc, in a way that
a person would conduct themselves in their private
affairs.
So What Do We Know About Stanislavski?
Well, Konstantin Stanislavski was associated with
the Moscow Theatre and was very well respected for
some great books that he'd written about acting and
in particular, for his great book called An Actor
Prepares. An Actor Prepares is one of the most
referenced books in conjunction with method acting.
It was at the Group Theatre that was established in
New York City, USA, in 1931, that Stanislavski's
acting methods were premiered with the theatres most
notable performance of Waiting 4 Lefty. Sadly though
The Group Theatre didn't carry on after the thirties
but one thing that can be certainly said is that the
theatre left a great impact in Hollywood and film.
Stanislavski's 'Method' would get an actor to dig
deep and bring out their own experiences, memories
etc in order to shape the basis on how a character
may express any movement and speech. Those of you
who have performed professionally may have been on
set and had to do a very emotional scene that has
required great intense and tears. One of the easiest
ways to find this emotion is do what is known as 'an
emotional recall', all bearing the relevance of
Stanislavski's 'Method'.
When an actor uses the method, he or she can delve
deep within and become even more complex with their
character portrayals, their feelings and elation. An
actor is no longer put into a 'pigeon hole' and
limited to portraying a character with just one
single channel. Let's think of this like playing
either the good guy or the bad guy; Your performance
doesn't have to be limited! The method lets an actor
be more creative and really EXPLORE ones self
Have You tried Stanislavski's method?
What are your thoughts on this acting technique?
Please be sure to comment with your thoughts.
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