1. Acting Basics
“Suit the action to the word, and the word to the action.” Hamlet Act III, Scene 2

2. Same thing we need to warm up:
Body
Voice
Mind/Heart
Actors tools

3. Character aspects All characters have two aspects: Internal External
Mind and heart
External
Voice and body
Character aspects

4. Partner with the person across from you and decide if this is an internal or external aspect.
I am an extrovert!
I have a limp.
I have a beautiful singing voice.
I was recently broken up with.
I’ve been sheltered for most of my life.
Talking to people is hard for me.
My skin is green.
I’m very smart.
Which one is it?

5. -ations of acting Concentration Observation Imagination Relaxation
Ability to focus and shut out distractions
Observation
Taking note of what your senses perceive
Imagination
Visualizing a pretend existence
Relaxation
Physical ease and mental calm
Motivation
A reason why your character does what they do.
-ations of acting

6. Constantin Stanislavski
Russian actor and director.
Lived from
Came up with basic system for acting.
We call it the Stanislavski method!
Constantin Stanislavski

7. Stanislavski’s System
Stanislavski believed that if an actor relied only on physical actions or only on internal emotions, the performance would fail.
He came up with a system that would combine both.
Stanislavski’s System

8. Stanislavski’s System: Magic “if”
The first step was the magic “if”
Since acting is NOT real life, actors have to ask themselves “what if….”
For example, “what if I was in the same situation as my character?” “What would I do if I found myself in this situation?”
These questions allow an actor to bring more “truth” to the scene.
Stanislavski’s System: Magic “if”

9. Stanislavski’s System: Motivation
Every character has a reason for doing what they are doing.
This is one of the most important steps.
You must determine what is the driving force behind your character.
These are often subconscious.
You can determine this best through looking at past actions.
Stanislavski’s System: Motivation

10. Stanislavski’s method: Objectives
Everything your character does is so that they can achieve something.
This thing they want to achieve is called their objective.
These are EXTERNAL goals. Something that can be achieved outside of themselves.
NOT an objective: to have internal peace, to like themselves, etc.
Objectives: make someone laugh, make someone angry.
Stanislavski’s method: Objectives

11. Stanislavski’s System: Actions
To achieve objectives, actors use ACTIONS.
As your character tries to achieve an objective, they will use MULTIPLE actions.
We identify these as actors using action verbs.
Jill scares Sam.
Audrey diverts Seymour.
Actions are how the character will achieve their objective.
Stanislavski’s System: Actions