Any actor interested in studying the Meisner technique should explore what's known as the actors instrument. The instrument analogy can be helpful when breaking down all the various aspects that can determine how good an actor is. As an audience member, it becomes apparent very quickly who the good actors in a piece are or who might be falling short. But, can we pinpoint what makes us feel that way? In fact, it is the actors instrument and how well rounded and how well developed it is.
The actors instrument is comprised of six different elements, all important. The aspects of the instrument include sensory expression, emotional, empathy, intelligence and sensory and physical expression. Mastering the craft of acting with the Meisner Technique requires that all six aspects of the instrument are well developed. If you run down the categories mentioned, anyone even slightly interested in acting should be able to name successful actors who have mastered several of these aspects of expression. Rarely, the are actors that come along and become the best of the best by being gifted at them all.
Sylvester Stallone is a physical actor who commands attention simply because of his physical presence onscreen. While this does not mean the Stallone cannot express a character emotionally, he is general know for his physical expression, which is the most powerful of his acting tools. For Stallone, emotion is an internal process but it is reflected in a very physical way. It's very important for actors to learn and develop all aspects of their instruments, to become well-rounded performers.
Actors often focus mainly on emotional expression, thinking it to be the most important. Thinking deeply about how a character feels about something and trying to emulate it is a very common thing for up and coming actors to try and master. One of the most important, but certainly not the only tool to master is the emotional expression aspect of the actors instrument. All six of the aspects of the instrument should be studied diligently until they are mastered.
Of course, it is meaningful emotional expression that draws people into any character or story. Emotional expression is they way that the internal aspects of a character's conflicts, needs, and feelings are expressed. It is common in classes teaching Meisner acting in nyc to create an emotional history of a character, imagine it in detail and then use all the aspects of the instrument to express them. In Meisner acting students study emotions diligently, their own and those of others. They do this by creating a "library" of human emotion and a resource of reactions and ways of communicating based on studies of real people. When called upon to create a specific character, they dig very deep and create and imagine (another part of the instrument) what that character's emotional story is. They create and live the emotional life that the character would live so that it is instilled in them and can be called upon at will.
Just as an example, vulnerability can express many characteristics, from innocence to deep insecurity. It's one thing for an actor to understand that and work with it. But, unless they have developed other aspects of their instrument, such as empathy or intelligence, the character will not be authentic. After all, vulnerability can be expressed through tears, or smashing something to pieces or just walking through a park. These are very nuanced yet, essential things to study.
The myth is that acting is simply pretending to have an emotion. However, acting is not simply reciting words using certain inflections and gestures to communicate emotions. Sanford Meisner was often heard to say, "acting is DOING." Being in the moment, and opening up completely to whatever emotions the character might present to you is the secret of great acting. This may feel risky at first. Legendary actors do not force themselves to show emotion. They feel genuine, strong emotions and a sense of grief or loss and images makes them cry. This process requires that an actor develop the capacity to create and feel true sensations, and then express that through all channels of their instrument. As an actor you must give yourself permission to feel fully and live truthfully, whether you are in character or not.
The actors instrument is comprised of six different elements, all important. The aspects of the instrument include sensory expression, emotional, empathy, intelligence and sensory and physical expression. Mastering the craft of acting with the Meisner Technique requires that all six aspects of the instrument are well developed. If you run down the categories mentioned, anyone even slightly interested in acting should be able to name successful actors who have mastered several of these aspects of expression. Rarely, the are actors that come along and become the best of the best by being gifted at them all.
Sylvester Stallone is a physical actor who commands attention simply because of his physical presence onscreen. While this does not mean the Stallone cannot express a character emotionally, he is general know for his physical expression, which is the most powerful of his acting tools. For Stallone, emotion is an internal process but it is reflected in a very physical way. It's very important for actors to learn and develop all aspects of their instruments, to become well-rounded performers.
Actors often focus mainly on emotional expression, thinking it to be the most important. Thinking deeply about how a character feels about something and trying to emulate it is a very common thing for up and coming actors to try and master. One of the most important, but certainly not the only tool to master is the emotional expression aspect of the actors instrument. All six of the aspects of the instrument should be studied diligently until they are mastered.
Of course, it is meaningful emotional expression that draws people into any character or story. Emotional expression is they way that the internal aspects of a character's conflicts, needs, and feelings are expressed. It is common in classes teaching Meisner acting in nyc to create an emotional history of a character, imagine it in detail and then use all the aspects of the instrument to express them. In Meisner acting students study emotions diligently, their own and those of others. They do this by creating a "library" of human emotion and a resource of reactions and ways of communicating based on studies of real people. When called upon to create a specific character, they dig very deep and create and imagine (another part of the instrument) what that character's emotional story is. They create and live the emotional life that the character would live so that it is instilled in them and can be called upon at will.
Just as an example, vulnerability can express many characteristics, from innocence to deep insecurity. It's one thing for an actor to understand that and work with it. But, unless they have developed other aspects of their instrument, such as empathy or intelligence, the character will not be authentic. After all, vulnerability can be expressed through tears, or smashing something to pieces or just walking through a park. These are very nuanced yet, essential things to study.
The myth is that acting is simply pretending to have an emotion. However, acting is not simply reciting words using certain inflections and gestures to communicate emotions. Sanford Meisner was often heard to say, "acting is DOING." Being in the moment, and opening up completely to whatever emotions the character might present to you is the secret of great acting. This may feel risky at first. Legendary actors do not force themselves to show emotion. They feel genuine, strong emotions and a sense of grief or loss and images makes them cry. This process requires that an actor develop the capacity to create and feel true sensations, and then express that through all channels of their instrument. As an actor you must give yourself permission to feel fully and live truthfully, whether you are in character or not.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides training for serious actors committed to improving their craft. Find out more about meisner acting in nyc by reading this article about actors instrument by visiting the studio website.
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