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. Directors and actors may sometimes see things differently and while the director is the conductor, actors are the most important instruments used to tell the 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. The actors instrument is the most valuable element in any project, for without complex, fascinating characters there really is no story.
Instruments are made to create beautiful sound, while actors must express uniquely human characteristics using many different forms of expression. Actors use the Meisner technique to develop as many of these forms of expression as they can, which working together make up "the instrument" an actor uses. 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. Studying of each of these aspects of acting and working hard to develop them all equally is what creates the stand out actor who can handle any role. By working on them all, and using them to create fascinating characters and powerful performances, the best actors have creating lasting impressions.
Physical expression is extremely important and controlling that and using the physical space around them well is also key to great performances. 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. Theatre requires a different movement technique than physical expression for film. As an actor you must have studied physical expressions in depth to be able to adjust for new situations and roles.
Personality actors can be very successful, translating a personality they have developed into many characters over the course of their careers. Take a moment and you can probably think of several working actors in this category. 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. Many great actors have mastered going beyond that to layer onto that charismatic personality many physical characteristics that completely alter their movement, posture, arm gestures facial expressions--they literally become the character. Think of award winners Meryl Streep, Daniel Day Lewis or Johnny Depp.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just some of the actors that have learned how to project characters physically, as well as emotionally. Going deeper into the craft of acting requires learning the ways you can express characters physically in subtle ways.
It is not simply a matter of walking differently or changing a facial expression to portray a feeling. 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. Being attractive and/or charismatic is certainly going to get you noticed, but it won't give you a career into your sixties or seventies. 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.
Instruments are made to create beautiful sound, while actors must express uniquely human characteristics using many different forms of expression. Actors use the Meisner technique to develop as many of these forms of expression as they can, which working together make up "the instrument" an actor uses. 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. Studying of each of these aspects of acting and working hard to develop them all equally is what creates the stand out actor who can handle any role. By working on them all, and using them to create fascinating characters and powerful performances, the best actors have creating lasting impressions.
Physical expression is extremely important and controlling that and using the physical space around them well is also key to great performances. 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. Theatre requires a different movement technique than physical expression for film. As an actor you must have studied physical expressions in depth to be able to adjust for new situations and roles.
Personality actors can be very successful, translating a personality they have developed into many characters over the course of their careers. Take a moment and you can probably think of several working actors in this category. 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. Many great actors have mastered going beyond that to layer onto that charismatic personality many physical characteristics that completely alter their movement, posture, arm gestures facial expressions--they literally become the character. Think of award winners Meryl Streep, Daniel Day Lewis or Johnny Depp.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just some of the actors that have learned how to project characters physically, as well as emotionally. Going deeper into the craft of acting requires learning the ways you can express characters physically in subtle ways.
It is not simply a matter of walking differently or changing a facial expression to portray a feeling. 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. Being attractive and/or charismatic is certainly going to get you noticed, but it won't give you a career into your sixties or seventies. 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 technique at the studio website or read this article about emotional memory.
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