Enter Self Center Stage

Developing an entirely different persona from oneself and having the chops to make that new personality believable is extremely difficult. A lot of people turn to actors for an escape from their normal lives, but the magic happening on the stage or screen is no easily produced feat. Actors must study rigorously while practicing their trade whenever possible, and in time (hopefully) finding their own unique voice in a form of artistry teeming with participants.

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There are various techniques one can utilize when it comes to acting, and different players choose different approaches depending on which is most comfortable or those they may have studied. Classical acting is based on a series of systems developed by Constantin Stanislavski. In Stanislavski’s method, actors look within themselves to find inner emotions or feelings they can relate to the character they are portraying. They try to get into the mindset of the character and use their own experiences to interpret how the character might react to certain circumstances.

The Chekhov Technique derives from Michael Chekhov, a student of Stanislavski. Transformation is made by the actor through impulse, imagination, and a combination of internal and external gesture to try and portray the character.

Method acting is most often attributed to Lee Strasberg and/or members of the legendary Theatre Group. This technique draws upon numerous others, allowing the performer to better hone in on the thoughts and actions of the character and produce more lifelike performances.

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Closely related to Method, the Meisner technique requires that the actor focus totally on the other actor as if they are real right at that moment. This close interaction allows the two to bounce reactions off of one another as if each response is more tangible and believable to the audience.

Acting in and of itself is a feat of truly extraordinary artistry that can be approached in innumerable ways. Each performance has its own unique whirlwind of opportunities, and each performer can approach their scenes from as many directions as they see fit. The most important thing is that the audience, above all else, stops noticing scenes and become immersed in the experience. This is when you know someone on that stage or screen has done their homework.

Preparing to Don your Acting Mask

So the moment has come when the role you’ve been desperately trying to land is finally sitting right in your lap. After what feels like countless auditions, readings and re-readings, and screen tests, you’ve been given the green light! So what now? What should you be doing to nail this role and turn such an opportunity into the launching pad you have always waited for? Firstly, you need to buckle down and learn as much as you can about this character, because the only way you are going to make a truly unforgettable impression on the audience is through a complete transformation that overshadows you, the actor, and gives way to your newly developed persona.

You must get into the head of this character. Where are they from, where are they now, and where are they going? How does this affect the decisions they make in everyday life? What do they want, and at what lengths will they go to get it (however extreme)? You want to get to the barebones of this person, so learn his/her family background, age, social status, upbringing, sexuality, fears, and how fine of a line separates their desires from their needs.

Many actors go through months of preparation prior to taking on a new role. Some go above and beyond to ensure the transformation is so convincing you forget you are watching an interpretation: You are 100% invested in this character, consumed with wanting to know how they impact the overall story.

Getting into the belly of the beast, so to speak, will get you closer to better understanding the psyche that influences any character’s actions. If you are portraying a cop, for instance, talk to a real-life police officer about what the public assumes and what actually entails trying to protect them. Going out and having real-life experiences described to you by surgeons, janitors, teachers, auto mechanics, mayors, drug addicts, social workers, and even criminals is invaluable information when trying to better understand worlds we have no comprehension of.

No matter the role, if you can pick the brain of someone who can relate to the eccentricities of your character and the uniqueness behind such unfamiliar waters, you are a privileged fly-on-the-wall with knowledge and insight your audience trusts is authentic. And not you the actor: You, the character.

The ability to adapt to new values, morals, interests, wants, and needs foreign as ever to your own personal constitution is no easy task, but the life of a chameleon demands such adaptability, and once the craft is mastered who knows what reflection awaits you once it’s no longer work but sheer passion running the show.