The actors instrument is something actors may have heard before, especially if they study the Meisner acting technique. 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. Actors are the most important element of the overall "symphony" known as The Story, the instruments directors use to effectively tell that 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. The actors instrument is the most valuable element in any project, for without complex, fascinating characters there really is no story.
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. Internal and external expressions are necessary, and actors that study the Meisner technique know how to integrate them all in a fascinating way to create their "instrument." 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. By mastering as many of these aspects as possible, and working hard at developing all of them, an actor has the ability to take on any role. Most successful actors working today have done an outstanding job of mastering many, if not all of these skills.
Every actor has their own unique physical way of expressing themselves and an awareness of the physical space around them. Meisner acting in nyc helps actors to fully explore their habits of physical expression and movement, and how that differs from that of a character and how that can be used to improve your versatility in any performance setting. Acting onstage requires a different movement technique and physical expressions than when you act for film. Actors who stand out are those who can call up various forms of physical expression and alter them to create a character.
Of course, personality actors can become top actors who are hired again and again, even though they express themselves physically in similar ways for every role. There are easily ten or fifteen actors who fall into this category that you can list without thinking too hard. Certainly, a charismatic personality is an extremely important aspect of the actors instrument, whether it is external, internal or both. Great actors have the ability to use physical expression to completely alter their appearance by using facial, and body movement. The list of actors that have mastered this would include Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, just to name a few.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. Actors that have an ability to develop and project strong physical characteristics to express character can handle any role. Actors who know how to move and express themselves physically in many different ways to create different characters has gone even deeper into their craft.
Expressing emotions physically is a complex thing and goes far beyond facial expression or developing a way of walking, for example. The art of becoming a character in a physical way is an incredible challenge, but it also means existing in a physical way in a newly created physical space. 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. Actors who can develop strong physical abilities are also more versatile. Charisma, and a strong presence onstage or on camera is important but, it may not be enough to get you the most challenging parts. 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. Internal and external expressions are necessary, and actors that study the Meisner technique know how to integrate them all in a fascinating way to create their "instrument." 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. By mastering as many of these aspects as possible, and working hard at developing all of them, an actor has the ability to take on any role. Most successful actors working today have done an outstanding job of mastering many, if not all of these skills.
Every actor has their own unique physical way of expressing themselves and an awareness of the physical space around them. Meisner acting in nyc helps actors to fully explore their habits of physical expression and movement, and how that differs from that of a character and how that can be used to improve your versatility in any performance setting. Acting onstage requires a different movement technique and physical expressions than when you act for film. Actors who stand out are those who can call up various forms of physical expression and alter them to create a character.
Of course, personality actors can become top actors who are hired again and again, even though they express themselves physically in similar ways for every role. There are easily ten or fifteen actors who fall into this category that you can list without thinking too hard. Certainly, a charismatic personality is an extremely important aspect of the actors instrument, whether it is external, internal or both. Great actors have the ability to use physical expression to completely alter their appearance by using facial, and body movement. The list of actors that have mastered this would include Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, just to name a few.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. Actors that have an ability to develop and project strong physical characteristics to express character can handle any role. Actors who know how to move and express themselves physically in many different ways to create different characters has gone even deeper into their craft.
Expressing emotions physically is a complex thing and goes far beyond facial expression or developing a way of walking, for example. The art of becoming a character in a physical way is an incredible challenge, but it also means existing in a physical way in a newly created physical space. 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. Actors who can develop strong physical abilities are also more versatile. Charisma, and a strong presence onstage or on camera is important but, it may not be enough to get you the most challenging parts. 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 technique at the studio website or read this article about emotional preparation.
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