subject: Learning About Method Acting [print this page] Are you considering taking Method Acting lessons? If you have an interest, then this article is for you. We will explore Method Acting, it's definition, evolution, techniques and successful actors who have taken Method Acting classes.
Method Acting was developed by Lee Strasberg, an American director who studied under Konstantin Stanilavski, and formed his own Group Theatre and The Actors Studio. It combines an actors` evaluation of the character's inner motives and a personal identification with it. Actors who use this technique rely on their past experiences to draw out emotions in order to play the part.
Exercises for this technique include Sense Memory, Emotional Memory and Animal Exercises. In Sense Memory the actor uses his five senses to recall objects and experiences, like being soaked in the rain or a mug of hot chocolate. Emotional Memory is closely associated to Sense Memory. Here, actors recall emotional memories from past experiences. Instead of using his imagination to get into the moment of his role's character, the actor uses his senses to recreate a similar experience to draw out emotions.
One exercise that's famous within Method Acting is called the Animal Exercise. Here, an animal's attributes are being humanized by the actor. A good example was Marlon Brandon's performance in "Godfather," where he played a bulldog.
You can try this exercise by studying an animal, maybe your pet dog or bird, and observing how they move. Then you can copy the animal- how it would walk or move if it were a human being.
Relaxation exercise is also used in this technique where the muscles are released from tension. Actors learn to relax muscles and use only muscles that are needed for a particular action.
Actors who have studied Method include Marlon Brando, James Dean, Dustin Hoffman, Marilyn Monroe, Al Pacino, Ann Bancroft, and Christopher Walken.*
