Those actors interested in the Meisner acting technique may have heard of the actors instrument. 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. Actors are the most important element of the overall “symphony” known as The Story, the instruments directors use to effectively tell that story. The actors instrument is what the actor uses to channel the vision of the writer and director, creating the most artful, interesting character they can to make the vision a reality. 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.
Instruments are made to create beautiful sound, while actors must express uniquely human characteristics using many different forms of expression. Internal and external expressions are necessary, and actors that study the Meisner technique know how to integrate them all in a fascinating way to create their “instrument.” 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. Some of the most successful, award winning actors have mastered all six of these forms of expression.
Actors need to be aware of their unique physical nature and the physical nature of characters and not confuse the two. Physical expression and habits of physical movement is an aspect of acting that Meisner acting in nyc looks to examine and use to create character. Movements onstage in a theatre piece are very different than movements that are right for the camera. An actor needs to adjust for any situation and have a huge repertoire of physical expressions techniques memorized.
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. Developing a charismatic personality, one that intrigues an audience is an important aspect of the instrument. There are many legendary actors who use physical expression as an art form to literally create a fictional, yet very real person. The list of actors that have mastered this would include Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, just to name a few.
There are actors who use their physicality to great effect, from Stallone and Schwarzenegger to Jim Carrey. Actors that have an ability to develop and project strong physical characteristics to express character can handle any role. Going one step deeper as an actor means learning how to alter how they move and express themselves truthfully in a physical way to portray character.
It is not simply a matter of walking differently or changing a facial expression to portray a feeling. The art of becoming a character in a physical way is an incredible challenge, but it also means existing in a physical way in a newly created physical space. The greatest actors use physical space and physical expression to enhance and express all other aspects of the instrument. Working hard to develop strong physical abilities will make you more timeless as an actor and 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. By mastering physical expression and integrating it with the other aspects of the actors instrument an actor will find themselves working at more and more challenging roles.
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 acting instrument.