method acting
Stanislavski and Emotional Memory
“The person you are is a hundred times more interesting than the best actor you could ever become…” – Konstantin Stanislavski A name recognised even by non-actors, Konstantin Stanislavski and his ‘System’ of method acting is responsible for the success of theatrical heavy-hitters such as Philip Seymour-Hoffman and Daniel Day-Lewis. However, you…
Read MoreFake or Real: Why You Need to Stop Acting
“With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it’s just not acting. It’s lying.” –Johnny Depp Many people see acting as one great big game of make-believe, with actors spending their lives playing at being other people. While in once sense this…
Read MoreThe Wheel of Emotion
“Acting is the most personal of our crafts. The makeup of a human being – his physical, mental and emotional habits – influence his acting to a much greater extent than commonly recognized” Lee Strasberg Emotions make up the core components of the method actors instrument. If you cannot access or…
Read MoreUsing Your Body and Voice
“Actors should…wear a costume, adjust the volume of their voice, achieve physical transformation into the character they portray, allocate their muscular energy efficiently, and model themselves into anything in gesture, voice or musical speech.” Yevgeny Vakhtangov Movement and, unlike our mime artist friend, voice, are important parts of an actor’s training. The body…
Read MoreJack Garfein at the BFI | Director of the Method Generation
As if the BFI “Birth of the Method” screenings throughout October and November weren’t enough of a treat for anyone interested in method acting, they have more in store for us at the end of the month! On 27th November, gifted veteran director of the method generation, Jack Garfein, will be in person and…
Read MoreIs 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…
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