“Discovering the essence of method acting | The Sun”

METHOD acting has caused some actors to vow to never use the technique again.

Fans have pointed out the harmful effects it has on their favourite stars who use the method.

Lee Strasberg contributed to the development of method actingCredit: Getty

What is method acting? 

Method acting – informally known as The Method – is a technique that consists of internal emotion rather than physical expression.

The method trains actors to bring experiences from their own life to their character.

It allows the actors to genuinely tap into their own emotions to become characters and perform their roles accurately.

It has been described as violating an actor’s job at times and taking a toll on their real emotions.

However method acting does not mean that the actor has to live and breathe their character on and off the set.

Who invented method acting?

American actor, acting teacher, and director, Lee Strasberg, has been called the “Father of method acting in America”.

He developed the method after being inspired by Konstantin Stanislavski’s approach to acting.

The Stanislavski system, as described in his books An Actor Prepares, Building A Character, and Creating A Role, introduces a systematic approach to training actors and incorporates the “art of experiencing”.

Strasberg built on Stanislavski’s ideas to train actors actors to use their physical, mental and emotional self to develop their character.

He argued that the method has always existed and is what all actors do when they perform well.

Strasberg stated method acting is a way of moving and captivating the audience.

His method has been used by several famous actors who have connected with their characters deeply.

Who are famous method actors?

Famous method actors have mentioned they have felt the effects of using the technique while off-set, which has left them feeling miserable and dull.

Jake Gyllenhaal has admitted that he once thought he needed to use the method in order to be taken seriously.

He stated that the technique took the joy out of the job.

Meryl Streep has also been known as a method actor.

She has been described as the best actress of her generation, and for her role in The Devil Wears Prada she never broke character and continued to feel her part away from the set.

It has caused Meryl to never use this method again.

Will Smith mentioned in his book that he would never use method acting again.

He described it as reprogramming his brain.

He told Vanity Fair: “With Six Degrees of Separation, I got a taste early of the dangers of going too far for a character.

“My character was in love with Stockard Channing’s character. And I actually fell in love with Stockard Channing.”

Samuel L. Jackson has said that many method actors don’t enjoy their job.

He said that acting should be enjoyable and that is why he has avoided the technique.