Method Acting (Lee Strasberg)

Method Acting is a widely influential approach to acting that originated in the

United States in the early 20th century. It emphasizes a deep exploration of a character's emotions,
motivations, and experiences in order to create authentic and believable performances. Here are
some key aspects and techniques associated with Method Acting:

1. Affective Memory (Emotional Memory):

 Method Acting places a strong emphasis on accessing an actor's own emotional
memories and experiences to evoke genuine emotions in their performance.
 Actors are encouraged to recall specific personal memories that mirror the emotions
their character is experiencing, using these memories to stimulate authentic
emotional responses.
 By drawing from their own emotional reservoirs, actors aim to create a truthful and
visceral portrayal of their characters' inner lives.
2. Substitution:
 In situations where actors cannot directly relate to their characters' experiences, they
may use a technique called substitution.
 This involves substituting their own memories, feelings, or experiences for those of
the character, allowing them to access the necessary emotions and motivations.
 By finding parallels between their own lives and the lives of their characters, actors
can establish a deeper connection and understanding of the roles they are
portraying.
3. Sense Memory:
 Method Acting encourages actors to engage their senses to evoke memories and
sensations that can enhance the authenticity of their performances.
 Actors may focus on sensory details such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to
vividly recall past experiences and emotions.
 By reliving sensory experiences associated with their characters' circumstances, actors
can bring a heightened sense of realism to their portrayals.
4. Character Immersion:
 Method actors often engage in extensive research and preparation to fully immerse
themselves in their characters' lives.
 This may involve studying the character's background, history, motivations, and
relationships in depth.
 Actors may also adopt specific physical traits, accents, or mannerisms to convincingly
embody their characters and bring them to life on stage or screen.
5. Emotional Recall:
 Method actors rely on their ability to recall past emotional states and experiences to
authentically portray their characters' emotions.
 By tapping into their own emotional memories, actors can access a wide range of
feelings and reactions that resonate with the characters they are portraying.
 This technique allows actors to infuse their performances with a sense of emotional
truth and depth, creating compelling and memorable portrayals.
 6. Physicality and Gesture:
 Method Acting pays attention to physicality, gestures, and body language as integral
components of character portrayal.
 Actors may explore how their characters move, stand, and interact with their
environment, using physical actions to convey emotions, intentions, and
relationships.
 By embodying their characters physically, actors can communicate nuances of
personality and psychology that enrich their performances.

Another Approach

1. Emotional Memory: One of the fundamental principles of method acting is the use of
emotional memory. Actors draw upon their own memories and experiences to connect with
the emotions of their characters. By recalling past emotions similar to those of their
characters, actors can create a sense of authenticity in their performances.
2. Sense Memory: Method actors also employ sense memory techniques to enhance their
performances. This involves recalling sensory experiences from the past, such as sights,
sounds, smells, tastes, and physical sensations, to make their portrayal of a character more
vivid and realistic.
3. Character Analysis: Method actors thoroughly analyze their characters to understand their
motivations, desires, fears, and backgrounds. They delve deeply into the script to uncover
subtext and hidden layers of meaning, allowing them to fully inhabit their characters.
4. Physical Transformation: Method actors often undergo physical transformations to better
embody their characters. This may involve changes in posture, movement, speech patterns,
and gestures, as well as alterations in appearance through makeup, costumes, and props.
5. Improvisation: Some method acting techniques incorporate improvisation as a way to
explore and develop characters. By improvising scenes or interactions, actors can discover
new insights into their characters and relationships, leading to more nuanced and authentic
performances.
6. Substitution: Another technique used in method acting is substitution, where actors
substitute elements of their own experiences or personalities for those of their characters.
This allows them to make personal connections to their roles and tap into genuine
emotions.
7. Psychological Realism: Method acting emphasizes psychological realism, focusing on the
inner life of characters and their emotional truth. Actors strive to portray complex,
multidimensional characters with depth and authenticity, rather than relying solely on
external mannerisms or stereotypes.
8. Rehearsal Process: Method actors often engage in intensive rehearsal processes to fully
develop their characters and relationships with other actors. Rehearsals may involve in-
depth discussions, improvisations, scene analysis, and emotional exploration to refine
performances and deepen understanding of the material.
9. Immersion: Method actors seek to immerse themselves fully in their roles, blurring the lines
between their own identities and those of their characters. This total immersion allows
actors to inhabit their roles more convincingly and deliver powerful, emotionally resonant
performances.