Shia LaBeouf once commented on the fact that he felt he was a "lonely dude", a feeling that might not be shared by a large number in the acting community. He implies that being lonely is a price that an actor pays for his craft. Being "brokenhearted", he stated to The Washington Post, is an essential part of being a true actor. It is quite possible that many professional actors would be quite offended by this statement. There are, however, probably many individuals who took hold of his statement and adopted it as their own due to the common "suffering artist" stereotype.
Any good commercial acting workshop does in fact teach actors that they must be sensitive to human nature and the sufferings that come along with that in order to be a successful and genuine actor. However, an actor does not need to suffer in order to successfully perform in auditions and land meaningful roles. Therefore, how does an actor explore and develop characters withing becoming too emotionally invested?
Distortion is a necessary part of dealing with stereotypes and character identities. Meisner training, along with other acting methods, consider distortion to be a necessary skill. Not only is this needed in dramatic films but in reality shows as well. If a distortion of the truth is done particularly well, it can actually make the actor see himself more clearly. This is, in reality, the job of the actor.
The Meisner technique teaches that stereotypes are personalities that have been distorted. Stereotypes play a significant role in developing characters. They cannot, however, be allowed to take over the entire personality. Even a simple character must go beyond the stereotype. For example, a good actor will be able to create a character who has a tragic aspect but also maintains a comical exterior.
Utilizing a character stereotype, particularly at the beginning of a performance, can allow your viewer to get a handle on the type of character that you are presenting. Character complexity cannot be ignored, however, or the viewer will rapidly become bored with the portrayal. If the writer has written a particular character as a stereotype for a reason, this must be followed carefully in order to create a genuine performance.
Many actors are known for their sensitivity to the human condition. Actors are not immune to suffering and can sustain illnesses and endure problems just like all the rest. It becomes dangerous, however, when an actor believes that suffering is essential for true success. Success can only come from dedication and from continued study.
Any good commercial acting workshop does in fact teach actors that they must be sensitive to human nature and the sufferings that come along with that in order to be a successful and genuine actor. However, an actor does not need to suffer in order to successfully perform in auditions and land meaningful roles. Therefore, how does an actor explore and develop characters withing becoming too emotionally invested?
Distortion is a necessary part of dealing with stereotypes and character identities. Meisner training, along with other acting methods, consider distortion to be a necessary skill. Not only is this needed in dramatic films but in reality shows as well. If a distortion of the truth is done particularly well, it can actually make the actor see himself more clearly. This is, in reality, the job of the actor.
The Meisner technique teaches that stereotypes are personalities that have been distorted. Stereotypes play a significant role in developing characters. They cannot, however, be allowed to take over the entire personality. Even a simple character must go beyond the stereotype. For example, a good actor will be able to create a character who has a tragic aspect but also maintains a comical exterior.
Utilizing a character stereotype, particularly at the beginning of a performance, can allow your viewer to get a handle on the type of character that you are presenting. Character complexity cannot be ignored, however, or the viewer will rapidly become bored with the portrayal. If the writer has written a particular character as a stereotype for a reason, this must be followed carefully in order to create a genuine performance.
Many actors are known for their sensitivity to the human condition. Actors are not immune to suffering and can sustain illnesses and endure problems just like all the rest. It becomes dangerous, however, when an actor believes that suffering is essential for true success. Success can only come from dedication and from continued study.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides quality meisner acting instruction. Find out more about commercial acting class by visiting the studio website.
