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Is The Method Too Much For Actors?
In a recent article in The New Yorker, Richard Brody asked whether method acting is destroying actors, citing the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Shia LeBeouf (pictured) as examples. Brody argued that the act of linking experiences and emotions from our own lives with those of a character, and playing a…
Read MoreMethod Acting Exercise – Sense Memory
“An actor’s job is to “feel on cue.”” Backstage Every great actor uses their own lives to the full, and constantly exercises their emotional muscles. One of the most daunting and challenging parts of being an actor is portraying extreme emotions on cue. In auditions, on stage and on screen we are called upon to…
Read MoreMethod Acting Exercise – Affective Memory
“Act with your scars” Shelley Winters “Affective memory” technique is probably one of the most well known method acting exercises. It is widely used by Hollywood actors, whose extreme interpretations have been well documented. For some critics, it is genius, for others, dangerous. ‘Affective memory’ is the act of delving into your own…
Read MoreBringing Real Life Into Your Performance
“The secret to moving passions in others is to be moved oneself” Aristotle We were reading recently about how Tom Hardy brought his real life experiences into his role as a troubled ex-marine-turned-cage fighter Tommy in the critically acclaimed film ‘Warrior. ’ “The action drama is a paean to redemption and the power…
Read MoreDaniel Day Lewis – Mad Or Our Greatest Method Actor?
“films don’t begin only when the camera starts rolling” Daniel Day Lewis Most headlines you read about Daniel Day-Lewis, will talk about the “madness” of his method. Is it “madness” or a unique and brilliant brand of method acting that has brought his widespread and universal acclaim? Despite only having made a dozen films…
Read MoreIs Method Acting Training Like Putting All Your Eggs In One Basket?
“Method acting is what all actors have always done whenever they acted well.” Lee Strasberg To train in method acting is to really get to the foundations of acting. As the founding father of the modern method, Lee Strasberg, put so beautifully, “method acting is at the heart of every…
Read MoreRevelations From LA # 2
LA Video 2: This is video is all about where emotion comes from and how to create it. Enjoy!
Read MoreRevelations From LA # 1
Video from LA: I was in LA recently with my students and there were quite a few revelations! This video is about something you would think actors do for auditions but don’t…but REALLY should if they want the job.
Read MoreDefusing the invisible acting bomb
One of the major issues faced not only by actors in training but by many professional actors too, is not wanting to fail. One of my students compared it to defusing a bomb on stage. One wrong move and – BANG! – the whole thing blows up in your face. To avoid this, in the…
Read MorePictures from showcase rehearsals
As well as working on the emotions and behaviour of characters when you get into the final stages of rehearsal, you must also consider the technical requirements. Here are what I call the 3 A’s, which help to remind you of a few of those requirements. Articulation – you need to be heard and understood…
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