By studying the Meisner Technique, actors have a chance to explore the concept of the actors instrument. Making a comparison between acting and an instrument is helpful in categorizing aspects of the acting craft and what makes a good actor. 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? If this is the case, it is likely that the actors instrument is just not well developed.
There are six aspects to consider when looking at the actors instrument. They are: physical expression, emotional expression, imagination, sensory expression, intelligence and empathy. Mastering the craft of acting with the Meisner Technique requires that all six aspects of the instrument are well developed. It is easy even for non actors to identify professional actors who have mastered the different aspects of their "instrument." Legendary actors are those that have mastered all six.
Take, for example, Sylvester Stallone who is know for his commanding physical presence and physical expression. Stallone is certainly able to express emotionally, but overall his most powerful tool onscreen is his physical expression. As an actor he expresses emotional in a very physical, often external way. Actors must focus and learn about all the aspects of the acting instrument, which will help them be diverse and capable of many types of roles.
Emotional expression is the most common aspect of the instrument that actors are focused on. How a character feels about something and delivering lines powered by that feeling is a very common practice for newer actors. While it can be short sighted to put too much weight on any one aspect of the actors instrument, emotional expression is certainly a key acting tool to master. 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. It clues the audience in to what the character is about, the conflicts they face, what their deepest needs are. Those that study Meisner acting in nyc use an imagined emotional history of a character which they must then express using all the aspects of the instrument. Meisner acting students are masters of human emotion, the full range and complexity of the human experience. They work hard to create a foundation of human emotion and way of communicating based on real people and fictional characters. When a specific character needs to be presented, these then delve more deeply and specifically into imagining (another aspect of the instrument) what the character's emotions feel like. Having created a full emotional life and a foundation of behaviors, thoughts and ways of reacting, the actor can then bring the character to life, in the moment, in a spontaneous way.
Just as an example, vulnerability can express many characteristics, from innocence to deep insecurity. There are many actors who, with hard work, can learn to differentiate and express this complex emotion. If the actor has also worked hard to develop other aspects of the instrument, such as imagination, sensory expression and intelligence, the complexity of emotions will be there. Vulnerability might be expressed by smashing a vase to pieces, or by simply sitting still and the challenge is to use ways appropriate to the character. These are very nuanced yet, essential things to study.
One common myth is that acting is pretending to have certain emotions. Simply reciting inflections and gestures that express certain emotions is not acting. Acting is DOING, as master teacher Sanford Meisner always said. Being in the moment, and opening up completely to whatever emotions the character might present to you is the secret of great acting. Great acting is, moment by moment, opening up to the character and allowing them to take you places you may not have imagined. Legendary actors do not force themselves to show emotion. There are genuine emotions in their performances, often unpredictable ones that appear as they work as character. 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. Actors must give themselves permission to feel strong emotions, and express them (or not, if the role requires it) in physical, intelligent, empathetic ways.
There are six aspects to consider when looking at the actors instrument. They are: physical expression, emotional expression, imagination, sensory expression, intelligence and empathy. Mastering the craft of acting with the Meisner Technique requires that all six aspects of the instrument are well developed. It is easy even for non actors to identify professional actors who have mastered the different aspects of their "instrument." Legendary actors are those that have mastered all six.
Take, for example, Sylvester Stallone who is know for his commanding physical presence and physical expression. Stallone is certainly able to express emotionally, but overall his most powerful tool onscreen is his physical expression. As an actor he expresses emotional in a very physical, often external way. Actors must focus and learn about all the aspects of the acting instrument, which will help them be diverse and capable of many types of roles.
Emotional expression is the most common aspect of the instrument that actors are focused on. How a character feels about something and delivering lines powered by that feeling is a very common practice for newer actors. While it can be short sighted to put too much weight on any one aspect of the actors instrument, emotional expression is certainly a key acting tool to master. 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. It clues the audience in to what the character is about, the conflicts they face, what their deepest needs are. Those that study Meisner acting in nyc use an imagined emotional history of a character which they must then express using all the aspects of the instrument. Meisner acting students are masters of human emotion, the full range and complexity of the human experience. They work hard to create a foundation of human emotion and way of communicating based on real people and fictional characters. When a specific character needs to be presented, these then delve more deeply and specifically into imagining (another aspect of the instrument) what the character's emotions feel like. Having created a full emotional life and a foundation of behaviors, thoughts and ways of reacting, the actor can then bring the character to life, in the moment, in a spontaneous way.
Just as an example, vulnerability can express many characteristics, from innocence to deep insecurity. There are many actors who, with hard work, can learn to differentiate and express this complex emotion. If the actor has also worked hard to develop other aspects of the instrument, such as imagination, sensory expression and intelligence, the complexity of emotions will be there. Vulnerability might be expressed by smashing a vase to pieces, or by simply sitting still and the challenge is to use ways appropriate to the character. These are very nuanced yet, essential things to study.
One common myth is that acting is pretending to have certain emotions. Simply reciting inflections and gestures that express certain emotions is not acting. Acting is DOING, as master teacher Sanford Meisner always said. Being in the moment, and opening up completely to whatever emotions the character might present to you is the secret of great acting. Great acting is, moment by moment, opening up to the character and allowing them to take you places you may not have imagined. Legendary actors do not force themselves to show emotion. There are genuine emotions in their performances, often unpredictable ones that appear as they work as character. 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. Actors must give themselves permission to feel strong emotions, and express them (or not, if the role requires it) in physical, intelligent, empathetic ways.
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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment