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 vision of the writer and director cannot be realized unless talented actors are able to use their actors instrument and make that vision truthful and real. It's good for directors to remain open to the actors instrument and be aware of allowing the special nuances an actor brings to the vision to enrich the 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. Expressions, both internal and external, are what Meisner technique actors work hard to develop and integrate into an "instrument" they can use as actors. The aspects of the actors instrument can be grouped into six general categories known as Sensory expression, Imagination, Intelligence, Physical expression, Empathy and emotion. 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. By working on them all, and using them to create fascinating characters and powerful performances, the best actors have creating lasting impressions.
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. Actors who stand out are those who can call up various forms of physical expression and alter them to create a character.
If you think about it, the world is full of actors who use a certain personality to create their roles, always using similar physical expressions to create characters. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. An actor can become extremely successful by learning how to create and channel a charismatic personality, by using both internal and external components of the instrument. 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.
Many actors in the history of stage and film have been strong physical actors, such as Stallone, John Wayne and Arnold Schwarzenegger. These are just some of the actors that have learned how to project characters physically, as well as emotionally. 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.
This is not to say that tricks like limping or changing a facial expression to show a mood is all that is required. 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. The greatest actors use physical space and physical expression to enhance and express 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. By mastering physical expression and integrating it with the other aspects of the actors instrument an actor will find themselves working at more and more challenging roles.
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. The aspects of the actors instrument can be grouped into six general categories known as Sensory expression, Imagination, Intelligence, Physical expression, Empathy and emotion. 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. By working on them all, and using them to create fascinating characters and powerful performances, the best actors have creating lasting impressions.
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. Actors who stand out are those who can call up various forms of physical expression and alter them to create a character.
If you think about it, the world is full of actors who use a certain personality to create their roles, always using similar physical expressions to create characters. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. An actor can become extremely successful by learning how to create and channel a charismatic personality, by using both internal and external components of the instrument. 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.
Many actors in the history of stage and film have been strong physical actors, such as Stallone, John Wayne and Arnold Schwarzenegger. These are just some of the actors that have learned how to project characters physically, as well as emotionally. 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.
This is not to say that tricks like limping or changing a facial expression to show a mood is all that is required. 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. The greatest actors use physical space and physical expression to enhance and express 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. By mastering physical expression and integrating it with the other aspects of the actors instrument an actor will find themselves working at more and more challenging roles.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides acting classes in NYC for serious actors. Find out more about meisner acting at the studio website or read this article about emotional memory.
No comments:
Post a Comment