How to Pick Up Method Acting

Acting is an art form. It is a coveted career, a dream that many come thousands of miles across the country (or even come to this country) to pursue. Acting is a complicated process, one that many teachers have come to understand and perfect. One of the most famous and most successful forms of acting technique is called method acting. It was created by Konstantin Stanislavsky. See if it is right for you by reading on to learn how to pick up method acting.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Open mind
• Open heart
• Passion for acting
• Willingness to experiment and try going deep into

1. Know method acting, according to textbook definition, is a dramatic technique in which actors identify as closely as possible with the character played by correlating experiences from their personal lives to the character; also called Stanislavsky system. You start with who you are, go deeply into your own life and memory, and then give over your personal truth to the character. It is a way in which you marry your world with that of the character. Imagination is still key, as you have to live the truth under the imaginary circumstances of the character that the writer has given you. It is often a very trying process. If you have harsh memories, going back and re-living those time and again for the sake of the character can lead to trauma or difficulty. You must place emphasis on giving that pain over to the art. Even so, it is recommended to be in therapy or in a position where you make sure to deal with all the emotions and feelings that such an intense taxing on memory and emotion can bring up.

2. Learn emotional memory. Going back to a place where you were defeated can get to the true core of a character who is dealing with great loss and defeat. Trailing back, taking notice of all it is that made the moment one of import to you, and then immersing yourself, armed with all these feelings, into the character's world. The emotional memory acting technique is a powerful part of method acting, and many great stars who have won the Academy Award employed this very form of acting. Although method acting is more complex with many ways of getting to the same goal, the basic idea is to find your own truth from within, find your emotional memory and life that parallels with that of the character, and give it completely over to your art. When trying the emotional memory exercise, you should try many memories and personalizations. You will find that a few strongly stand out. You can use a select few for almost any emotion and situation. You will start to formulate your own personal method from these experiences.

3. In your journey into method acting, you are in good company. Lee Strasberg is probably the expert most associated with method acting after Stanislavsky himself. He was a both an actor and acting teacher. He is esteemed and universally recognized for his work, as well as being a leader of the Actors Studio. He helped to bring method acting to Hollywood stars and aspiring actors in his illustrious career. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and James Dean were among those who studied method acting at the Actors Studio. Going to a great acting school is an excellent idea. Schools like the Actors Studio or Black Nexxus, Inc. offer insight into method acting, though that is not the only kind of acting philosophy that they possess. Find out if there are schools for method acting in your area, and sign up to take just one class at first. By going a bit at a time, you can see if it is truly right for you before making a commitment.

4. In your odyssey into method acting, you should not forget that it is art. You should have fun with it. Never get too deeply into an emotional memory or character that you lose sight of your love and joy of acting. Once you have studied, read, and pursued the art of method acting, then you should work towards getting your art seen. You are ready. Immerse yourself, and enjoy all that there is to the glamor and work of being an actor.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice applying your method acting to scenes as soon as you have learned the emotional memory exercise.

• Read "An Actor Prepares" by Stanislavsky to truly get the initial idea of method acting. From there, read more modern takes on it, such as Susan Batson's book.

• Make sure you deal with any difficult emotions method acting brings up for you.

• It's best to try method acting with a trained professor or teacher.

• Never let yourself get too devastated by a memory for the art. Don't choose something that will hurt you.