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. Audience members are quick to determine whether actors are portraying a new reality well enough to hold their attention. They don’t need a great deal of theatre going experience to sense when the acting is fantastic. If this is the case, it is likely that the actors instrument is just not well developed.
The actors instrument is comprised of six different elements, all important. 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.
For example, an actor like Stallone is known mainly for his physical expression and presence. This doesn’t mean that he can’t express himself emotionally, it just means that his physical presence is the most developed of his acting tools. For Stallone, emotion is an internal process but it is reflected in a very physical way. It’s very important for actors to learn and develop all aspects of their instruments, to become well-rounded performers.
Emotional expression is one of the first things most up and coming actors focus on. Obsessing about how a character feels about something and how to express it is usually the primary thing actors concentrate on. One 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. It’s important to remember, however, that each of the six aspects of the instrument are related and must be developed and work together.
Meaning in a story is derived mainly from the emotional expression of its characters. 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. Meisner acting students are masters of human emotion, the full range and complexity of the human experience. 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. They create and live the emotional life that the character would live so that it is instilled in them and can be called upon at will.
Take as an example, vulnerability which is an expression of insecurity or perhaps innocence or even strength. There are many actors who, with hard work, can learn to differentiate and express this complex emotion. But, unless they have developed other aspects of their instrument, such as empathy or intelligence, the character will not be authentic. 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. 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 well up and take you over and turn you into the actual character. This may feel risky at first. The best actors do not pretend to feel something, or coach themselves to do anything while in character. What they feel is genuine, and the results can range from crying and screaming to sitting perfectly still to express an emotion. 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 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 acting classes by visiting the studio website.