Konstantin Stanislavski is one of the most influential contributors to the world of theatre and film. He is known as the ‘father of modern acting techniques’ as he discovered the ‘method acting’ technique which is also known as the Stanislavski System! Method acting has one of the biggest impacts on the field of acting as it is used by actors still nearly 100 years later! His discovery was life changing for many. Stanislavski was born in 1863 in Moscow, Russia. He started acting at a young age. When he was just 14, he started acting on his parents amateur stage built in his family home. As his mum was the daughter of a French actor. His family was a wealthy bunch. His parents ran a drama group known as ‘Alekseyev Circle’. One of the reasons Stanislavski embarked on a journey to discover ‘realism within 20th century acting’ was because he didn’t see the realistic intentions within other peoples acting around him. For example, on of Stanislavski’s brothers used to give up mid performance and just lie there, ruining the live performance. he was originally looking for a new style of acting when he came across the method acting. Although Stanislavski’s method was stumbled upon, It is still one of the most influential and revolutionary styles created.
Although its the most famous technique within the acting industry, It is also known as one of the most dangerous. The Stanislavski method used ’emotional/ affective memory’ to help the actors get into character, This meant they had to tap into memories and relive some of their worst times to get into the character without being told how to close the memory back up again. This method helped them get into the most realistic side of their character however would effect their private life as it caused PTSD for many of the actors that used it. Stanislavski often convinced the actors to go out and do things the character would do or desire to make their character more ‘real’.
Stanislavski also introduced the ‘magic if’. This technique is used by actors to make them think about what their characters would do and how would they react to the situations. This helps them to characterise and go to further lengths to portray the character right to the core. It intensifies the actors knowledge of the characters thoughts and feelings.
Another technique Stanislavski used was thorough rehearsals. He suggested repeating their line over and over and continuing to rehearse so the character was played to perfection to the core. This helped the Actors connect with their character on more meaningful and deeper levels.
Stanislavski co-funded the society of Art and Literature in 1885. This society focused on promoting ideas for theatre. This was the foundation of Stanislavski’s career and journey to changing the film and theatre world. A few years later, the society evolved into ‘The Moscow Art Theatre’. This is what set the society up for success within the theatre community that helped develop it.
Through Stanislavski’s career, he continued to add to his work and edit certain areas, this helped to create multiple books on his technique. These books are still used to this day to influence the theatre culture. ‘An actor prepares’ was his first book written in 1936. It is about building up the character to play the role to its full extent and what the actor should do in order to achieve it. In 1949 he released his second book ‘building a character’, This explains the work an actor must do to play roles to the core and to make it realistic and down to earth. It also explains how the actor can develop and use the sharp vocal, physical aspect and emotional expression aspect of performances. His 3rd book, ‘my life in art’. This was an autobiography about the Russian author and director, Stanislavski himself. This book was commissioned while Stanislavski was on his tour with the Moscow Art theatre. ‘Creating a role’ was the book made in 1961. this book zooms in on how to prepare for inner training and focussing on tapping into the imagination. It talk bout how the actor should be in the body of the character to play the role to perfection. All of the books except the autobiography are apart of a trilogy. Before they were a trilogy, they were all one big book and over time they got separated into 3 books.
Many actors all over for years have used the Stanislavski method, Some resulting in good aftermaths with their rolls and some actors had bad luck with the methods.However, Most of the progress for the method acting is negative. For example, someone who used the method acting technique is Joaquin Phoenix, he ended up losing 52 pounds for a character, this took a huge toll on his mental health. This is a very common thing within many acts who use method acting, Like the late Heath Ledger, He used method acting as the roll as ‘the joker’ in ‘the dark knight’ He got into character off set by using threatening behaviour and threats of abuse, sometimes he’d even go as far as to slash cast members tires. He ended up losing sleep over the role and he isolated himself from many people causing mental problems and health problems. This is also believed to be the cause for Ledgers death. Many people think he turned to drugs due to the effects of the method acting causing him to have an accident overdose. As there are many issues with trying to method act, there are still a few upsides to it, Like the awards that could be won and the extraordinary performances put on by actors that attempt this method.
In conclusion, I think id use the techniques Stanislavski taught, however I would not use the method acting for big roles that could cause harm to me or anyone around me. For example if I had too play a character with an accent, id work on the accent off set when talking to people t0 get into the character but if it was for a bigger role that needed me to isolate myself or do something to harm myself or others, id stick to researching how other people projected their characters and looking up traits the character has that I could also be able to possibly portray without harming others.
REFERENCING
(Alex Ates. [May 30th, 2023]. The Stanislavsky Method Of Acting. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/the-definitive-guide-to-the-stanislavsky-acting-technique-65716/ [12/01/2024])
(Constantin Stanislavski [May 21st, 2021] Biography. https://www.biography.com/actors/constantin-stanislavski [12/01/2024])
(Masterclass. [September 29th, 2021] Stanislavski method: acting guide to the Stanislavski method. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/stanislavski-method[12/01/2024])
(The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. [September 21st, 2023] The Stanislavski system. https://www.britannica.com/art/Stanislavsky-system [012/01/2024])
(Civil war timeline [October 6th, 2022] National Park service. Https://www.nos.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/civil-war-timeline.htm#:~:text=Library%2c%20and%20outraged%20white%20southerners. [12/01/2024]) The Stanislavsky Method of ActingEverything actors should know about Konstantin Stanislavsky and his acting techniques.www.backstage.com