How can actors have "acting technique" classes?

Question

Isn't every acting situation different? How can a working actor, say, use the Lee Strasberg technique in different movie character acting situations?

Answer 1

Jeseus........if you know the technique...then you know how and when to use it...ughhh

Answer 2

It's not just one technique, it's about finding a technique.

Method acting.

You can get "tips" that work.

And there is a big controversy over this.

Marlon Brando, a Strasberg gradaute, for example stuffed wadds of paper into his cheecks when he did the video audition made by Copolla to show the Paramount people that Brando should do the role.

Copolla HAD to impress the Paramount brass, Brando HAD to impress the Paramount brass and Brando complied.

He stuffed paper into his cheeks and did the monolgue. It won him the role, despite the fact he was a well know actor and a well known pain on the set.

What Brando did was a "method." He helped his character.

Now, on the other hand, Sir Lawrence Olivier once said to a method actors, why don't you just act?

If Olivier was playing a barber, he'd just squeeze sicissors and talk to the person in the chair like he knew him all his life. If he was the Mahdi, as in "Khartom," he'd take on airs and be above it all, talking down to you. He just "acted" as he felt he should be as the character.

If you're a king you say "Off with his head" and snap your fingers.

Then there are non-acting actors or actors who always play themselves. Sean Connery, Michael Caine, John Wayne, Steve McQueen, David Jansen, Anthony Hopkins (yes, Zorro speaks with a British Accent! Everyone knows that!).

Brent Spiner and Dustin Hoffman both come from the Stanislasky/Strasberg method to the madness school.

So, you have people who reach inside themselves back to when they were a kid and their puppy died to do a crying scene (Strasberg, Brando, etc.).

You have people who dress up like bums and live on the street for a few days so they can play the part (Stanislavky, Dustin Hoffman, Kurt Russell)

People who play act, like children, copping it from what they know (Oliver, Dwight Shultz, Meryl Streep)

People who play theselves with flair (Anthony Hopkins, JAck Lemmon, Bogart, etc.)

And those who play themselves (Connery, Wayne, Caine)

Answer 3

There are many techniques that have helped actors deal with many varied acting challenges.

Techniques are applied to the individual situation. "Techniques" are primarily tools for dealing with situations that have problems that are more difficult than what an actor can do simply and automatically.

Beyond technique, the simple ability to step into the reality of the film is enhanced by continual training.

Answer 4

I think another aspect of this debate is that even really great actors have "downtime" in between roles. Taking technique classes help us keep our chops in shape. I know especially when I am in between gigs I like to take classes to help refine my basic techniques. When I am not in rehearsal for a play, I time to commit to memorizing monologues, and analyzing intention and language and all thoe other rudiments of being an informed actor. I find that this leads to stronger auditions, and more focus, which helps when I DO get cast in a play.

Just like any job, it pays to be well versed in your field. I am not a fan of method acting, but you can bet that I have at least studied the basics of it.

Answer 5

Art is not about product. It is about your journey. Technique classes teach you the basic tools that you can use to learn how to get the most our of your journey.

For instance: warm ups are not just about getting your body ready for a show, they are also about mentally centering yourself before you go on stage.

Many people have a specific technique that they like to use more than others (be it Anne Bogart, Suizuki, Strasberg, etc.) but again it is about YOUR journey as an actor.

Answer 6

Yes, every acting situation is different. If an actor has studied several acting techniques, he/she can chose whichever one, he/she feels works best for the role, he/she is rehearsing, or, with whichever technique the actor feels "most comfortable."

Each actor has his/her own "way" of working.

Method is broad enough to allow an actor to use it it for different acting situations.

I typically "fiddle around" with the various techniques, I was taught, until I get "what feels right," for the role.

Answer 7

Each actor has a style. Some are good, some are bad. Actors can have classes to teach what they have learned. We can take what we learn from them and grow from it. Either find what we like and don't like from that person. Let's face it, there are some bad actors out there that are teaching others. It takes a true actor to find their own path. But, we can at least have some help from other;s pointing us towards the right one.

Answer 8

They study and analyze their roles in order to give life to the character they are playing. The best actors are the ones able to transform themselves, like chameleons. And of course the director helps the actor infuse credibility to the character.

Answer 9

they dont teach you "act happy" "act macho" "act sad". they teach you the body language and eye contact you need in every situation. they also you teach you breathing techniques and ways to get over stage fright... you can also learn accents and get over one you have.. the list goes on and on.