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. It may also just be a sense of something not coming across in the right way. They can also sense when an actors instrument is not well developed, because they don't "believe" the character portrayal.
The actors instrument is comprised of six different elements, all important. They are: physical expression, emotional expression, imagination, sensory expression, intelligence and empathy. In the Meisner technique, all aspects of the actors instrument need to be addressed and considered and are essential to mastering the craft. 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. Legendary actors are those that have mastered all six.
For example, an actor like Stallone is known mainly for his physical expression and presence. Stallone is certainly able to express emotionally, but overall his most powerful tool onscreen is his physical expression. As an actor he expresses emotion in a very physical, often external way. This is why actors must focus on learning about each and every aspect of the instrument, so that they can be as well rounded as possible.
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. On one hand, it is short sighted to place too much emphasis on this particular aspect of the actors instrument, however, emotional expression is certainly a key aspect. All six of the aspects of the instrument should be studied diligently until they are mastered.
Emotional expression gives meaning to the story. It is through this kind of expression that the audience is drawn in to the story. 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. 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. This created life, its emotions and patterns of behavior, are then drawn upon moment by moment, not in rehearsed ways, but spontaneously.
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. This is a subjective, creative process.
One common myth is that acting is pretending to have certain emotions. 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." In other words acting is being in the moment and allowing any number of emotional reactions to well up and take you over and turn you into the actual character. It is a subtle yet, very important distinction. 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. Developing a deep capacity to understand and feel the full range of human emotions and experiences is a great way to become an open, flexible acting student, the best kind of student. Give yourself permission to feel fully and strongly, and express it in ways that are physical, intelligent empathetic and real.
The actors instrument is comprised of six different elements, all important. They are: physical expression, emotional expression, imagination, sensory expression, intelligence and empathy. In the Meisner technique, all aspects of the actors instrument need to be addressed and considered and are essential to mastering the craft. 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. Legendary actors are those that have mastered all six.
For example, an actor like Stallone is known mainly for his physical expression and presence. Stallone is certainly able to express emotionally, but overall his most powerful tool onscreen is his physical expression. As an actor he expresses emotion in a very physical, often external way. This is why actors must focus on learning about each and every aspect of the instrument, so that they can be as well rounded as possible.
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. On one hand, it is short sighted to place too much emphasis on this particular aspect of the actors instrument, however, emotional expression is certainly a key aspect. All six of the aspects of the instrument should be studied diligently until they are mastered.
Emotional expression gives meaning to the story. It is through this kind of expression that the audience is drawn in to the story. 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. 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. This created life, its emotions and patterns of behavior, are then drawn upon moment by moment, not in rehearsed ways, but spontaneously.
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. This is a subjective, creative process.
One common myth is that acting is pretending to have certain emotions. 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." In other words acting is being in the moment and allowing any number of emotional reactions to well up and take you over and turn you into the actual character. It is a subtle yet, very important distinction. 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. Developing a deep capacity to understand and feel the full range of human emotions and experiences is a great way to become an open, flexible acting student, the best kind of student. Give yourself permission to feel fully and strongly, and express it in ways that are physical, intelligent empathetic and real.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides training for serious actors committed to improving their craft. Find out more about meisner acting nyc by reading this article about actors instrument by visiting the studio website.
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