Acting techniques.What's the best form to learn for screen acting?meisner or any others?

Question

or is it best to learn a few techniques?
As I'm working out what to study.

A further question (if anyone knows) some good acting schools in Australia?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Without meaning disrespect to Marianne (who Cider respects) or Potato, let us cut through the crap:

Look Me In The Eye And Tell Me The Truth.


Never fails.

Answer 2

I second what Marianne said. There's no "right" way, just what works for you. Also, since you specified screen acting, let me add that a crucial thing for you to do is get experience in front of a camera. Film acting is a very different beast than stage acting. Stage work is very organic and flowing, while filmed work is very stop and go. There are long periods of waiting for a setup to be completed, then a flurry of activity when the cameras start rolling (the classic "hurry up and wait" syndrome). A stage performance rolls out in the space of a couple of hours, but a feature film can take months to complete. Sustaining a consistent performance is hard enough when you're supplied with all the creature comforts of a big-budget studio film, but it's even harder on low-budget or indie films. My advice is to find a local film school or indie shoots near you and *start working*. The sooner you get accustomed to the working conditions of a film set the better off you'll be and the easier you'll be able to apply your technique in a new arena. Good luck.

Answer 3

dcider has nailed it. Just keep acting whereever and whenever you can. The secret of film acting is as he said and as Jimmy Cagney said before him. "hit your mark, look the other fella in the eye, and speak the truth>" Most acting lessons are a bunch of garbage that you do not need to know, the best thing about acting lessons is that they may give you a little on stage or on camera acting experience, but Meisner, the Method and all the rest are a bunch of crap.

I mentor aspiring actors for free. Ask me any question about acting and being an actor at [e-mail]

Answer 4

I think you have to investigate them all and feel out what's best for you. Sometimes one technique may work for you for a certain scene or character, but not necessarily your whole career, but to each his own.

Check out Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen & Meisner. Those are the basis, but there are many other famous namse who have taken those techniques and pushed them forward (David Mamet, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, etc.)

Research all of those, but more importantly go to classes annd interact with other actors. See what works for you and use your instincts. Don't discount any technique until you've actually given it a fair shot :-)

I can't help you with the Australia part, sorry.

Good luck!

Answer 5

The one that works best for you.
If you find a teacher in both, ask if you can audit, audit means to observe an acting class without paying.

If you live in middle america, acting teachers may not permit students to audit.

Answer 6

For Acting, I would recommend

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com