Written by Anthony Watkins
Who do you think of when you hear the term “Method acting?" What does the term, method acting even mean? In this article, we will briefly explore the origins of method acting and then look at its positive and negative attributes in the world of film today.
The origins of method acting end up going back to before the origin of cinema itself. It all arose from the teachings and ideas of Russian actor, producer, and theoretician Konstantin Stanislavsky. Ultimately, his goal was to develop a form of acting that was more realistic than the exaggerated, theatrical, and often melodramatic form that existed in the 19th century. The primary theory behind his new method was to have the actor recall previous emotions, memories, and experiences and integrate them into his performance. As a result, his method focused intensively on the psychological and emotional aspects of the character. For example, if a scene called for a character to experience fear, the actor would recall a particular experience in their life that they experienced real fear and then fully integrate their past reaction to that fear into the current scene (Brittanica).
The origins of method acting end up going back to before the origin of cinema itself. It all arose from the teachings and ideas of Russian actor, producer, and theoretician Konstantin Stanislavsky. Ultimately, his goal was to develop a form of acting that was more realistic than the exaggerated, theatrical, and often melodramatic form that existed in the 19th century. The primary theory behind his new method was to have the actor recall previous emotions, memories, and experiences and integrate them into his performance. As a result, his method focused intensively on the psychological and emotional aspects of the character. For example, if a scene called for a character to experience fear, the actor would recall a particular experience in their life that they experienced real fear and then fully integrate their past reaction to that fear into the current scene (Brittanica).
The origins of method acting lie with Konstantin Stanislavsky, a Russian actor, producer, and theoretician who wanted to create a more realistic approach to acting rather than the exaggerated form that currently existed in the 19th century.
Over the years, Stanislavsky’s new ideas on acting were developed by several teachers, most significantly by director Lee Strasberg. In the 1930s, Strasberg co-founded Group Theater in New York City and coined the term “the method” to describe the new style of acting. His students included many of the iconic actors of the 20th century, including Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Nicholson, among many others (Brittanica and Gussow).
Since that time, method acting has evolved to the point where actors will transform themselves not only mentally and emotionally for a role, but physically as well. Some of today’s method actors include Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Daniel Day Lewis, Robert De Niro, Johnny Depp, Jared Leto, and Jack Nicholson. For several roles, each of these actors worked long hours getting into character and diving deep into the emotional and psychological states of their characters.
As mentioned in my last article, one of the most recent examples of method acting is Jake Gyllenhaal as “Lou Bloom” in Nightcrawler (Gilroy, 2013). In addition to losing 25 pounds to physically establish his creepy, sociopathic character, Gyllenhaal trained two months working with real-life nightcrawlers in order to get a firm grasp on the nature of the job. He also ended up meticulously memorizing the film like a play in order to produce his fast-spoken monologue scenes (IMDB).
Since that time, method acting has evolved to the point where actors will transform themselves not only mentally and emotionally for a role, but physically as well. Some of today’s method actors include Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Daniel Day Lewis, Robert De Niro, Johnny Depp, Jared Leto, and Jack Nicholson. For several roles, each of these actors worked long hours getting into character and diving deep into the emotional and psychological states of their characters.
As mentioned in my last article, one of the most recent examples of method acting is Jake Gyllenhaal as “Lou Bloom” in Nightcrawler (Gilroy, 2013). In addition to losing 25 pounds to physically establish his creepy, sociopathic character, Gyllenhaal trained two months working with real-life nightcrawlers in order to get a firm grasp on the nature of the job. He also ended up meticulously memorizing the film like a play in order to produce his fast-spoken monologue scenes (IMDB).
Gyllenhaal lost 25 pounds to provide the "hungry coyote" look for Nightcrawler (left). In his latest film, he bulked up to play a boxer in Southpaw (Fuqua, 2015).
Without a doubt one of the most infamous examples of method acting was Heath Ledger in his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (Nolan, 2008). To prepare for the role, Ledger isolated himself in a motel room for about six weeks, diving deep into the twisted psychology of the character and developing the voice and every tic and mannerism of the joker. Ledger also designed the Joker makeup himself, reasoning that the Joker would also design the makeup himself in real life (IMDB). As a result of his extreme investigation into the character, Ledger developed insomnia and ended up having to take sleeping pills. Shortly after filming was complete, he was found dead in his apartment from an accidental overdose (CinemaBlend).
Ultimately, Ledger’s example showcased the gravity and power of method acting, as well as how it can be taken to dangerous levels. His Oscar-winning performance in the film was the result of his meticulous work in delving deep into the psychopathic character. The result was that audiences received an unforgettable performance that will last for ages. On the other hand, it was no doubt his devotion to the character that cost Ledger his life. Ledger’s method acting was not the original intention of Stanislavsky or Strasberg, but nevertheless this is what has become of the style and where it looks to be continually going in the future. Actors want to give us a strong and memorable performance, but somewhere along the way a line needs to be drawn. Currently this boundary is very blurry, and as a result the actor goes as far as he or she feels is needed in order to become the character.
Ultimately, Ledger’s example showcased the gravity and power of method acting, as well as how it can be taken to dangerous levels. His Oscar-winning performance in the film was the result of his meticulous work in delving deep into the psychopathic character. The result was that audiences received an unforgettable performance that will last for ages. On the other hand, it was no doubt his devotion to the character that cost Ledger his life. Ledger’s method acting was not the original intention of Stanislavsky or Strasberg, but nevertheless this is what has become of the style and where it looks to be continually going in the future. Actors want to give us a strong and memorable performance, but somewhere along the way a line needs to be drawn. Currently this boundary is very blurry, and as a result the actor goes as far as he or she feels is needed in order to become the character.
Ledger became fully devoted to the character of the Joker as he lived a solitary life developing the Joker's every tic.
Method acting, although it is one style, has several different forms. Not many actors will go to the extremes or play a character as dark as Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight. Nevertheless, it differs from regular acting in that instead of representing or portraying the character, the actor becomes the character as he or she calls on past experiences and emotions. In fact, “acting” itself starts to slip away as the individual becomes more and more like the character. Some people disagree with this style of acting and prefer the actor adhere more to how the character is written in the script and to think how the character’s past experiences would inform the current situation. This method, although certainly ideal, does not usually produce the best performance since the actor really is not that character.
What do you think? Do you prefer to see method acting or do you like to see the other, more regular form of acting? Do you think the benefits of method acting outweigh the negatives? Comment your thoughts below!
WORKS CITED
Gussow, Mel. “Lee Strasberg of Actors Studio Dead.” The New York Times. 2009. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1117.html>.
IMDB. 2015. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com>.
“Stanislavsky System.” Britannica Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Tyler, Josh. CinemaBlend. 2008. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Heath-Ledger-s-Cause-Of-Death-Made-Official-8740.html>.
What do you think? Do you prefer to see method acting or do you like to see the other, more regular form of acting? Do you think the benefits of method acting outweigh the negatives? Comment your thoughts below!
WORKS CITED
Gussow, Mel. “Lee Strasberg of Actors Studio Dead.” The New York Times. 2009. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1117.html>.
IMDB. 2015. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com>.
“Stanislavsky System.” Britannica Encyclopedia. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Tyler, Josh. CinemaBlend. 2008. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Heath-Ledger-s-Cause-Of-Death-Made-Official-8740.html>.
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