the System

Stanislavsky system

I'm reading about an acting method. Very interesting, Stanislavsky made the same conclusions as me:

"He discovered that there is no inner experience without outer physical expression[...]"

How to get in the role?

"Stanislavski said that “Imagination creates things that can be or can happen.” An actor must develop her imagination and learn to think on any theme; this will help the actor to adapt easily to any role."

"An actor should not truthfully believe the reality of events on stage, but she should believe in the possibility of events. The “magic if” transforms the character’s aim into the actor’s aim. An actor must try to answer the question

“What would I do if I were…” so that she does not have to force herself to believe that she is an actual person in these actual circumstances. The “if” is particularly important, as it does not imply that any circumstances exist or are actually truthful. As an actor has no other source from which to draw experiences from except her own life, she must use her imagination to create events that she has not experienced. Stanislavski developed the use of the “magic if” in order to help the actor develop the imaginary and predicted circumstances."

"The “inner monologue” is the third imaginational technique developed by Stanislavski. This is an important procedure in consciously creating the subconscious thoughts that are the stimuli behind the physical actions. The
inner monologue must exist as inner visions in an actor’s head in order to produce a series of emotions and states of being “by natural organic processes.” I.e., the actor must create the thoughts that lie behind the dialogue."

"Emotion memory is also an important technique that can be used in the creation of a role. Recalling experiences in the actor’s own life which are similar to those the character is going through can help the actor to deepen her own thoughts and feelings, making her conscious thoughts and natural actions more realistic."