How to be a world class actor

If your desire is to be an actor with longevity in your career, the first thing you must have is talent. That’s so obvious isn’t it, but I come across many actors who’s sole aim is to work out how to get their foot in the door. Now whilst that is very important, please don’t overlook the importance of your craft. 

The acting industry is full of mediocre actors and that’s ok but it doesn’t really dazzle.When we think of the great method actors – Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Daniel Day-Lewis, Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams etc etc there’s something they have in common; they’re engaging, truthful and you never know what they will do next in a scene. I’m going to help you by showing you how to become a world class actor, with some very simple but effective method acting tips because you are capable of it, you just need to know their secrets.

How to be a world class actor

1. RELAXATION – Many actors overlook this, but it is the first point on the Method Triangle, which Lee Strasberg created and is the foundation of the “house of method”. Relaxation is so important to you as an actor because it helps you become aware of your own body & thoughts. Relaxaion opens up the gateway to your sub-conscious mind, which is where we aim to work from and your imagination. Without relaxation you will simply hold tension, whether you’re aware of it or not, which blocks your ability to connect to your imagination and your ability to tune into your impulses resulting in mechanical acting.
2. CONCENTRATION – This is the second point on the Method Triangle. Your scene requires you to have an inner concentration. When you watch the great method actors, it always appears as if there is something going on inside them, which is fascinating, it is that which keeps you transfixed by their natural responses. Without concentration you are leaving your mind vulnerable to mind monkeys. Mind monkeys are those pesky things that tell you you’re not good enough, or that people are judging you. Without concentration you are also leaving yourself vulnerable to predictable acting. When you are concentrating you are turning your thoughts into something tangible meaning you will truthfully work moment to moment.
3.  IMAGINATION – This is the last point on the Method Triangle, but definitely not of least importance. Imagination is simply you seeing images in your mind, which takes us back to concentration. We can’t see these images without concentrating, but we can’t concentrate without being relaxed.Why do we need to use our imagination? Because it opens up new possibilities within each moment. 

Now you can see why the method triangle is so important, you can’t have one point without having the other. When all three of your points are in place you will be acting authentically, which is what the world class method actors are able to do. When one of your points isn’t in place, your triangle simply can not flow and you have predictable, mediocre acting.

If you want to be a world class actor, ensure, every time you are in your scene, you are working with your method triangle.

If you have found this useful, leave a comment below and let me know. If you have an actor friend who could really use this advice, please share it with them, it could be just the thing they need.

 

 

 

 

 

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