The actors instrument is something actors may have heard before, especially if they study the Meisner acting technique. 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 job actors have is that of vision casting, taking the ideas and vision of the writer and director and making it into something believable and real using their actors instrument. Actors who have worked hard to develop their actors instrument are the ones who most often enrich a story, by bringing complex, interesting characters to the vision.
Making beautiful sounds is the instrument's created purpose, while actors use not only sound but physical characteristics and other very subtle forms of expression that are uniquely human. Expressions, both internal and external, are what Meisner technique actors work hard to develop and integrate into an "instrument" they can use as actors. The aspects of the actors instrument can be grouped into six general categories known as Sensory expression, Imagination, Intelligence, Physical expression, Empathy and emotion. 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.
Every actor has their own unique physical way of expressing themselves and an awareness of the physical space around them. Meisner acting in nyc helps actors to fully explore their habits of physical expression and movement, and how that differs from that of a character and how that can be used to improve your versatility in any performance setting. 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. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. 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. A list that would include Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep or Daniel Day Lewis.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just a few of the actors that have an ability to develop a strong and unique physical aspects to their characters. Going deeper into the craft of acting requires learning the ways you can express characters physically in subtle ways.
Expressing emotions physically is a complex thing and goes far beyond facial expression or developing a way of walking, for example. You must inhabit the created physical world of the production in a physical way that is truthful and be able to do it before there are physical crutches like sets, props, costumes and make up. The greatest actors use physical space and physical expression to enhance and express 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. Master physical expression, and the use of physical space to tell a story and enrich the other aspects of your actors instrument and you will be on your way to becoming great.
Making beautiful sounds is the instrument's created purpose, while actors use not only sound but physical characteristics and other very subtle forms of expression that are uniquely human. Expressions, both internal and external, are what Meisner technique actors work hard to develop and integrate into an "instrument" they can use as actors. The aspects of the actors instrument can be grouped into six general categories known as Sensory expression, Imagination, Intelligence, Physical expression, Empathy and emotion. 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.
Every actor has their own unique physical way of expressing themselves and an awareness of the physical space around them. Meisner acting in nyc helps actors to fully explore their habits of physical expression and movement, and how that differs from that of a character and how that can be used to improve your versatility in any performance setting. 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. Give it some quick thought and a list of 10 or 15 actors who fall into this category will quickly come to mind. 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. A list that would include Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep or Daniel Day Lewis.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. These are just a few of the actors that have an ability to develop a strong and unique physical aspects to their characters. Going deeper into the craft of acting requires learning the ways you can express characters physically in subtle ways.
Expressing emotions physically is a complex thing and goes far beyond facial expression or developing a way of walking, for example. You must inhabit the created physical world of the production in a physical way that is truthful and be able to do it before there are physical crutches like sets, props, costumes and make up. The greatest actors use physical space and physical expression to enhance and express 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. Master physical expression, and the use of physical space to tell a story and enrich the other aspects of your actors instrument and you will be on your way to becoming great.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides acting classes in NYC for serious actors. Find out more about meisner acting at the studio website or read this article about emotional memory.
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