What do the actors Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Daniel Day-Lewis have in common, despite a crossover of film credits? They’re all disciples of the Stanislavsky method. One of the most influential acting techniques in the history of performance, the Stanislavsky method brought about the acting style we have come to know as naturalism. If you're interested in achieving a truthful performance, Stanislavsky’s techniques are a good place to start. This guide will explain the Stanislavsky method, its history, key techniques, and exercises, and highlight some notable actors who have successfully used this approach in their work.
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The Stanislavsky method, also known as the Stanislavsky System or Stanislavsky Technique, is an approach to acting developed by Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavsky at the beginning of the 20th century. It emphasises realism and emotional truth in performance and encourages actors to draw from their own experiences and emotions to bring authenticity to their characters. Stanislavsky believed actors should inhabit their roles, creating a complex life for their characters in order to completely understand them.
To create strong, believable characters and truthful performances, Stanislavsky recommended actors employ a combination of the below techniques:
Given circumstances
This fundamental concept focuses on understanding the context in which a character exists: environment, relationships, social status, past experiences, and the physical and emotional information provided by the script. These elements, it argues, influence a character's behaviour and actions within a play or scene.
Emotional memory
Also known as affective memory, this component involves drawing on personal experiences to evoke genuine emotions, allowing you to create more authentic and convincing performances. This technique helps you access and sustain the emotional intensity required for a role.
Objective
An objective, in Stanislavsky's terms, is the goal a character is striving to achieve at any given moment in the scene or play. Objectives provide the motivation behind every line, movement, and gesture, ensuring your performance is purposeful and dynamic. There are several kinds of objectives in Stanislavsky’s method: Super Objective is the overarching goal that drives the character throughout the entire play; Scene Objective is the specific goal a character is trying to achieve within a particular scene; and a Beat Objective is a smaller goal within a scene, which often changes as the character reacts to different events and interactions.
Actions
Actions are the physical and psychological activities a character engages in to pursue their objectives. Actions are driven by the character's objectives and informed by the given circumstances. There are three types of Actions: Physical Actions, which are the tangible, visible movements a character makes, such as walking, gesturing, or handling objects; Verbal Actions, or what a character says to achieve their goals, including dialogue, tone, and delivery; and Psychological Actions, which are internal, involving the character’s thought processes, decisions, and emotional responses.
Stanislavsky was born in 1863 in Moscow, Russia. He co-founded the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898, where he began developing his method through a combination of rigorous study, rehearsal, and performance. His approach revolutionised the art of acting by focusing on naturalism and the psychological aspects of character development. Stanislavsky’s real name was Konstantin Sergeyevich Alexeyev, but in 1884 he adopted the stage name of Stanislavsky, which is sometimes spelled as Stanislavski, particularly in later translations of his books.
The Stanislavsky method aims to help actors create more believable and emotionally resonant performances. Actors who use Stanislavsky’s techniques often find it easier to:
- Understand their characters by delving into their psychological motivations.
- Stay in the moment by focusing on their character’s objectives and actions.
- Adapt to different roles since emphasis on emotional truth and realism is applicable to a wide range of characters and genres.
Some actors believe using emotional memory is a dangerous acting technique due to its capacity to reawaken old trauma. Many look to alternative ways of portraying emotion in performance, such as breath work.
Here are some exercises to help you begin incorporating the Stanislavsky method into your practice:
Emotional memory exercise
- Objective: Recall a personal memory that evokes a strong emotion.
- Method: Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and vividly recall a specific memory. Focus on the sensory details and how it made you feel. If you are working on a role, choose an emotion that your character feels during the play, then try reading that part of the script and feeling how the emotion changes the delivery.
Objective and action exercise
- Objective: Identify your character's objective in a scene and the actions they take to achieve it.
- Method: Break down the script to understand what your character wants in each moment and for the scene as a whole. Determine the physical and verbal actions they use to pursue their objective.
Given circumstances exercise
- Objective: Analyse the circumstances of your character's environment and how it influences their behaviour.
- Method: Consider your character's time period, location, social status, and relationships. Reflect on how these factors shape their actions and reactions.
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Many renowned actors have trained in the Stanislavsky method, the lucky ones through direct teachings from two of his students, Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. The two brought the technique to the US, with Strasberg adapting the system into his own framework, known as Method acting. The following actors are known for using techniques that Stanislavsky originated:
Marlon Brando
Brando was known for his intense and realistic performances. He studied under Adler, and his use of emotional memory and deep character immersion helped revolutionise acting in American cinema. Notable roles include Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954).
Robert De Niro
De Niro, who studied under Strasberg, is famous for his meticulous preparation, intense character immersion, and use of emotional memory. Notable roles include Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976) and Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull (1980).
Al Pacino
Another student of Strasberg, Pacino is known for using emotional memory and character analysis. Notable performances include Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy and Tony Montana in Scarface (1983).
Meryl Streep
Streep is celebrated for her versatility and ability to fully inhabit a wide range of characters. She employs Stanislavsky’s techniques, particularly in her detailed character research and use of emotional memory. Notable performances include Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (2011) and Sophie Zawistowski in Sophie's Choice (1982).
Daniel Day-Lewis
Day-Lewis is known for his extreme method acting techniques, often staying in character for the duration of a film shoot. His approach includes in-depth research and emotional memory, embodying the principles of Stanislavsky’s method. Notable roles include Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (2012) and Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2007).
In the UK, the now-closed drama school Drama Centre was known for grounding its teaching in Stanislavsky techniques – so much so that it was jokingly nicknamed the Trauma Centre for the emphasis it placed on emotional memory. Among the well-known actors who trained at the Drama Centre are Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Helen McCrory, and Michael Fassbender.
The Stanislavsky method remains a cornerstone of modern acting, offering valuable tools for creating authentic and compelling performances. By understanding its principles and practising its techniques, you can enhance your craft and bring greater depth to your roles.