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 vision of the writer and director cannot be realized unless talented actors are able to use their actors instrument and make that vision truthful and real. 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 make beautiful sound, actors make a full range of expressions, from voice and sound to physical, and subtle emotional communication to tell us about our unique human experience. 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." There are six parts that comprise the actors instrument, generally, and they can be listed as Intelligence, Emotion, Sensory expression, Imagination, Empathy and Physical expression. By mastering as many of these aspects as possible, and working hard at developing all of them, an actor has the ability to take on any role. Some of the most successful, award winning actors have mastered all six of these forms of expression.
Every actor has their own unique physical way of expressing themselves and an awareness of the physical space around them. 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. Acting onstage requires a different movement technique and physical expressions than when you act for film. Actors who stand out are those who can call up various forms of physical expression and alter them to create a character.
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. Certainly, a charismatic personality is an extremely important aspect of the actors instrument, whether it is external, internal or both. 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.
Physical expression, when mastered, has given us the likes of Jim Carrey, John Wayne and Jodie Foster. 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.
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. A great actor is one who has not only mastered the art of physical space and expression but can use it to reflect all other aspects of the instrument. The most versatile actors have worked hard to develop this. 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. Learning to create the physical aspects of a character, and using it to enrich the other elements of the actors instrument, will get you the work you desire.
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.
