Stanislavski’s Method Acting Advanced Drama Fall 2003

Adapting observations through the imagination A combination of observed fact and imaginary circumstances is one of the actor’s primary sources of stimulation and physical objectives in which he can believe spring from it. A combination of observed fact and imaginary circumstances is one of the actor’s primary sources of stimulation and physical objectives in which he can believe spring from it.

Example of imaginary circumstances FACT: You see a forlorn looking woman walking down the street wheeling a caged bird in a baby carriage. FACT: You see a forlorn looking woman walking down the street wheeling a caged bird in a baby carriage. MOST LIKELY: The woman is moving into a new apartment and the baby carriage is a practical means of transporting her pet. MOST LIKELY: The woman is moving into a new apartment and the baby carriage is a practical means of transporting her pet. MORE CREATIVE: The woman was a widowed mother who had just lost her two children. To dispel her grief, she directed her affection to the bird, caring for it as if it were a child. Each afternoon, she took it for a walk in the carriage exactly as she used to with her children.

Improvisation and questions Think of the number of short scenes based on the incident that you might improvise Think of the number of short scenes based on the incident that you might improvise Bathing the bird Bathing the bird Feeding the bird Feeding the bird Talking to the bird Talking to the bird Many questions may arise Many questions may arise How old is the woman? How old is the woman? Is she rich or poor? Is she rich or poor? How did her children die? How did her children die? Is the bird a temporary outlet, or does it indicate a more permanent mental derangement? Is the bird a temporary outlet, or does it indicate a more permanent mental derangement?

Bring the character to life You can visualize a series of actions designed to bring this character and this situation to life. Concentrate of accomplishing these physical objectives so the action leads you to believe in the situation and in the character. The belief, in turn, would produce the desired emotional state. Remember: feeling comes not directly but through association.

Let’s try it Make careful observations of human behavior Make careful observations of human behavior When you see a situation that stimulates your imagination, supply circumstances you can use as the basis for an improvisation. When you see a situation that stimulates your imagination, supply circumstances you can use as the basis for an improvisation. Remember, the purpose of these imaginary circumstances is to provide a reason for the action. Remember, the purpose of these imaginary circumstances is to provide a reason for the action. Action means specific physical objectives that show behavior you can believe of the person. Action means specific physical objectives that show behavior you can believe of the person.

Exercise Why might a sailor in a night club be dancing with a child’s doll? Why might a sailor in a night club be dancing with a child’s doll? Why might an old woman selling pencil on the street be reading a report of the New York stock exchange Why might an old woman selling pencil on the street be reading a report of the New York stock exchange Warning: do not attempt to substitute a made up situation for the original observation. Imagination must have a basis in reality.