By Emma Filosa
We’ve all heard directors request that actors “get into character”. For a number of actors and actresses, a character begins on stage and ends off stage. However, some performers use the technique commonly known as “method acting” to not only get into character, but to literally become a character. Method acting was originated by Russian actor Konstantin Stanislavsky who wanted his acting to appear to audiences as real rather than a fictional depiction of a character. The method forces actors to appeal to the characters past emotions and experiences creating a continuous character on and off stage. Many of the world’s greatest actors have used this method, some taking it to the next level resulting in injuries and illness all for the greater good of their character. Three time Academy Award Winner Daniel-Day Lewis did not want to disappoint viewers when he took on the role of beloved United States president Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 film “Lincoln”. The English actor would only talk in an American accent throughout the filming period. Similarly, in the 1989 film “My Left Foot”, Lewis remained in a wheelchair both on and off camera in order to successfully portray a man born with cerebral palsy. Lewis’s extensive time spent in a wheelchair resulted in injury of his ribs from being hunched over for so long. But Lewis isn’t the only actor to go above and beyond in order to give audiences a real-life experience. Actress Anne Hathaway ate dried oatmeal paste for two weeks in order to play the heart-wrenching character Fantine in the film adaptation of the Broadway classic Les Miserables. Hathaway even cut off all her hair for the role. Though she was strongly advised to leave her hair be, she was determined to fully understand what it was like to be a mother who will go to the ends of the earth to keep her daughter safe. Method acting isn’t restricted to only film actors though – in the first episode of the Broadway.com video blog “The Book of Rory: Backstage at ‘The Book of Mormon’ with Rory O’Malley”, O’Malley shows viewers a bag of licorice roots on the stage left prop shelf at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre which are used by one the cast members who uses method acting and developed a character who loves to chew licorice root.
Though many screen actors seem to disagree, it is possible to achieve method acting without spending months in a wheelchair or losing an extreme amount of weight. Method acting is all about developing and creating a continuous character to not only help you personally become a better actor but also to assist audience members in truly becoming invested in your performance. Start by making a list of all the senses your character has experienced in his/her past. What has he/she seen? What emotions has your character experienced? What events has your character had to overcome? What are his/her likes or dislikes? After covering the basics, fill in all the gaps. Imagine the little details such as a childhood best friend, a favorite scent, or a favorite taste. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your character is keen on licorice root! The important thing to remember is that this is your time to explore another individual and really put yourself in someone elses shoes. Method Acting is all about imagination and discovery. It’s just as much about the audience as it is about you. While the audience may not know all the tiny little details of your character, they will respond to how realistic your character is giving them the beautiful experience that every audience member should leave a show with.