The Meisner acting technique often refers to something known as the actors instrument. While directors and actors are sometimes at odds due to creative differences, the truth is actors are the instruments, the components, that make up a successful production with a director as a conductor. Creative differences may find actors and directors at odds, but the actors are the instruments directors use somewhat like a conductor to tell a story. The job actors have is that of vision casting, taking the ideas and vision of the writer and director and making it into something believable and real using their actors instrument. Actors who have worked hard to develop their actors instrument are the ones who most often enrich a story, by bringing complex, interesting characters to the vision.
Making beautiful sounds is the instrument's created purpose, while actors use not only sound but physical characteristics and other very subtle forms of expression that are uniquely human. Expressions, both internal and external, are what Meisner technique actors work hard to develop and integrate into an "instrument" they can use as actors. There are six parts that comprise the actors instrument, generally, and they can be listed as Intelligence, Emotion, Sensory expression, Imagination, Empathy and Physical expression. Studying of each of these aspects of acting and working hard to develop them all equally is what creates the stand out actor who can handle any role. Some of the most successful, award winning actors have mastered all six of these forms of expression.
Actors need to be aware of their unique physical nature and the physical nature of characters and not confuse the two. Actors who study Meisner in nyc learn how to explore their physical expressions, habits and non verbal behavior and subvert of convert that into good performances. Acting onstage requires a different movement technique and physical expressions than when you act for film. An actor needs to adjust for any situation and have a huge repertoire of physical expressions techniques memorized.
Personality actors can be very successful, translating a personality they have developed into many characters over the course of their careers. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. Developing a charismatic personality, one that intrigues an audience is an important aspect of the instrument. Great actors have the ability to use physical expression to completely alter their appearance by using facial, and body movement. A list that would include Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep or Daniel Day Lewis.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just a few of the actors that have an ability to develop a strong and unique physical aspects to their characters. Going one step deeper as an actor means learning how to alter how they move and express themselves truthfully in a physical way to portray character.
This is not to say that tricks like limping or changing a facial expression to show a mood is all that is required. This is the art of existing in a completely altered reality, an imaginary physical world, and expressing physical aspects of a character even when standing still. A great actor is one who has not only mastered the art of physical space and expression but can use it to reflect all other aspects of the instrument. Working hard to develop strong physical abilities will make you more timeless as an actor and more versatile. Being attractive and/or charismatic is certainly going to get you noticed, but it won't give you a career into your sixties or seventies. Learning to create the physical aspects of a character, and using it to enrich the other elements of the actors instrument, will get you the work you desire.
Making beautiful sounds is the instrument's created purpose, while actors use not only sound but physical characteristics and other very subtle forms of expression that are uniquely human. Expressions, both internal and external, are what Meisner technique actors work hard to develop and integrate into an "instrument" they can use as actors. There are six parts that comprise the actors instrument, generally, and they can be listed as Intelligence, Emotion, Sensory expression, Imagination, Empathy and Physical expression. Studying of each of these aspects of acting and working hard to develop them all equally is what creates the stand out actor who can handle any role. Some of the most successful, award winning actors have mastered all six of these forms of expression.
Actors need to be aware of their unique physical nature and the physical nature of characters and not confuse the two. Actors who study Meisner in nyc learn how to explore their physical expressions, habits and non verbal behavior and subvert of convert that into good performances. Acting onstage requires a different movement technique and physical expressions than when you act for film. An actor needs to adjust for any situation and have a huge repertoire of physical expressions techniques memorized.
Personality actors can be very successful, translating a personality they have developed into many characters over the course of their careers. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. Developing a charismatic personality, one that intrigues an audience is an important aspect of the instrument. Great actors have the ability to use physical expression to completely alter their appearance by using facial, and body movement. A list that would include Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep or Daniel Day Lewis.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just a few of the actors that have an ability to develop a strong and unique physical aspects to their characters. Going one step deeper as an actor means learning how to alter how they move and express themselves truthfully in a physical way to portray character.
This is not to say that tricks like limping or changing a facial expression to show a mood is all that is required. This is the art of existing in a completely altered reality, an imaginary physical world, and expressing physical aspects of a character even when standing still. A great actor is one who has not only mastered the art of physical space and expression but can use it to reflect all other aspects of the instrument. Working hard to develop strong physical abilities will make you more timeless as an actor and more versatile. Being attractive and/or charismatic is certainly going to get you noticed, but it won't give you a career into your sixties or seventies. Learning to create the physical aspects of a character, and using it to enrich the other elements of the actors instrument, will get you the work you desire.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides acting classes in NYC for serious actors. Find out more about meisner acting nyc at the studio website or read this article about acting instrument.
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