Why The Method Is Best For Film And TV
Published May 15th, 2008 in Acting Technique and Getting Trained and The Method. By Kirsten Tretbar | 13 Comments » |
I keep having all sorts of people writing me privately, after reading my post about, “The Seven Reasons Why Professional Programs Simply Aren’t Worth It” — asking me, “Kirsten, if you had it to do over again, what would you do now?” Many of these actors tell me they’re already enrolled in expensive programs, and are now thinking, after reading this post, that they won’t go. They’re left feeling lost and confused. My advice to all of you is this. Get into a good Method Acting Class, based on Lee Strasberg, and learn to act in realistic ways, that will translate the best for Film and Television.
We’ve all heard about famous Method actors, like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Marlon Brando, but why did they all have so much success? Because Lee Strasberg was their teacher! And in my opinion, the man knew what he was doing! He was the best acting teacher of the last century, no matter what anyone else says!
Most professional acting programs train you with the intention to act with a broader style, mostly for stage plays. In professional programs, especially at the bigger University level (such as, at USC, or at a state school) you’ll learn how to project your voice, get rid of your regional dialect or accent, stand tall, create interesting characters, move to command a large audience, and project your energy across a large stage, etc…
We’ve all heard about famous Method actors, like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Marlon Brando, but why did they all have so much success? Because Lee Strasberg was their teacher!
I learned all of these things at USC, in my Masters in Fine Arts program, in the early 1990s. I also learned broad improvisation skills which helped me create all sorts of original stage business, helped me understand the importance of props, big reactions, and thinking on the spot.
What most of my classes at that two year program, failed to teach me, was how to “just be me.” I mention this in several other posts, but I want to stress this problem again here, perhaps explain it a bit better. I’d always had the leads in every single high school play and musical, all the way up through my under grad days (at Grinnell College) and on into my days at USC, in grad school. When I finally graduated, and started acting professionally around Los Angeles, started going out every day on professional Film and TV commercial auditions, and meeting with major casting directors (even for many commercials) — I found out very quickly that I was “too big”. Not too fat, just “too big” in my acting style.
My voice was overly trained, sounded almost fake in its perfection, my motions were big and over the top, and I looked terrible on film, like I was making bizarre faces and shouting my lines. Fortunately for me, I DID book several commercials, but I seldom booked TV roles or movies. When I almost booked a big lead on “Days of Our Lives”, I learned later I didn’t get the part (it was between myself and one other actress in NY) — because my acting style was, you guessed it, “too big.” The casting director called me in and showed me the screen test, the taped scene I’d done at the studio the week before, as part of my final audition. In it, I could see exactly how I spoke too loudly, moved too slowly, or intentionally, and just seemed like I was saying lines, not really just being in the moment, like a real person would.
A year later, thank God I finally found a new acting class in Los Angeles that changed my life forever. I will always recommend my old teacher, Catlin Adams, even though she doesn’t even realize I always promote her, or even that I have a site like this. She changed my life forever, in more ways than just with acting. She was so wise and so patient and focussed on each student and each person’s “problems”. For over five years I took her professional class, with about 20 other talented actors (some even famous ones!) She had lived with Lee Strasberg’s family when she was a teenager, because she’d been a promising young actress from LA, and he’d wanted to train her that much. She played the wife of the Cantor in “The Jazz Singer” opposite Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier. It was her first role.
Eventually, Catlin became a TV director, and now coaches several famous A-list celebrities, when not teaching her professional classes. I was lucky enough to be asked to be her assistant for several years — and the things I learned about acting in her classes, mostly based on the Strasberg Method, made me a much better actress! They also made me a better director and teacher.
In her classes I learned to just to sit with my fellow actor in a scene and listen. I didn’t have to move around or do anything else. I just “was”. I also learned to stop running around like an idiot, doing a million different activities with props. I learned to let my voice be real, and quiet, and normal, like in a film. I learned how a sensory focus can heighten behavior, and make me look interesting, without even thinking about what I was doing. I was no longer acting my lines out in a pattern I’d memorized, but saying them fresh, and different, each time I performed them. I relaxed. It took me years to finally understand how important it was to be relaxed on camera, or on stage, and that relaxation wasn’t about being laid back, but about being ready for anything, like a realistic emotional reaction. Sensory work brought back old memories I could use to create realistic feelings at the drop of a hat, and I wouldn’t have to fake them anymore. It was a revelation!
So I guess my advice to all of you out there wanting to move to LA or NY, or those of you already acting, whether or not in a program, or professionally, is this. Don’t join “The Lee Strasberg School” if it locks you into a year long program, or any other kind of “Acting for Film” year-long program. If you want to act in film or TV, find a good private teacher who’s trained in The Method. Audit the class. And if you like it, GO!
In these kinds of classes, you’ll learn everything you’d learn in a bigger more expensive program, but they’ll be cheaper. And there, you’ll meet other working actors, who can help you get started, help you find agents and contacts and classes. They will also know working directors. I also suggest a good improv class, because improv really helps with auditions, especially commercial auditions. And if you have voice problems, take some voice lessons. But I do not think you need to take movement classes, unless your posture is terrible and you move like a lumpen clod! :-)
Just start with a Method Class. That, and doing some therapy, and working out in some way, such as Yoga, will teach you to get in touch with your breath, your body, and your real inner feelings about your life and past. I find that the study of Method Acting helps you unlock those channels to your emotions, so that you can use them in your professional acting work. Hey, if you can’t cry about your own past, how can you cry on cue in a film scene? You need to learn how to unlock your emotions. The Method style is the single best way to do this. And the sensory work you’ll learn to use will take your acting to a whole new, even easier, level.
Hope this helps! And keep on acting!
Strasberg only taught Brando a couple of classes…(He is quoted in a book - “Brando Unzipped” - as studying with Lee Strasberg to “see what the enemy was teaching”..He thought Strasberg was a swindler who often tried to take credit for Brando’s success…His main mentor was Stella Adler
Also, the method isnt the be all end all of acting…there are many classically trained film stars who graduated from rigorous training programs who have went on to become some of the greatest actors ever to be captured on film (Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins). There are American actors/actresses who come from acclaimed drama schools with many years to count who are also legends. Merryl Streep, who has portrayed some of the most complex, nuanced, characters seen on screen had many years of formal training. (BFA/MFA Yale).Before you base your biases on why “professional training programs are a waste of money” think about the grandeur you brought to whatever characters you played as a lack of sensitivity in observing nuances in human life (which separates good from great actors), rather than defects in your training.
I agree with everything you say. I am not saying that you can not be classically trained. I was. I have an MFA from USC, and have studied with some of the best acting teachers in the world, there, and later. I didn’t say that Brando was trained by Strasberg, I said he was a method actor. You can take Method based classes that aren’t taught by traditional method teachers, too. In fact, Many of the exercises I learned at USC, in my more drama/theater based classes, were based on Stanislavsky, the inventor of the beginning of what later was known as “Method”. Stella Adler, and others, like Michael Checkov, and Strasberg, also based their teachings on what they learned from Russian teachers, during their time there in the late teens and early twenties, when they then brought their new work in “senses” etc… back to NY, and began to reteach actors — which was later called “Method”. Most American acting schools are based on the Method, at this point, in one form or other.
I love all forms of training. When I disparage traditional programs, it’s only the length and the price of such programs, as I find you can learn all those same things for cheaper in private classes outside of traditional academia. It’s also the fact you come out of those programs not knowing so much how to act for film or tv, and my blog is more speaking to younger actors who want to come to LA to do that, instead of theater.
I do tout getting a liberal arts education first and foremost, and then adding to that with private classes (group classes). I also believe in taking voice, movement, speech, and improvisation classes. Even some Meisner training does not hurt.
Thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! I also adore Meryl Streep as well, and would offer up the thought that although she is amazing, she is also a very broad actress, and I would bet that she had to retrain herself to keep it simple, after she got out of Yale.
Also, I think it’s very important to take Anthropology classes, and Art History, Sociology, and Psychology classes, so you can understand human nature, and create the nuances that you describe, and which help one create deep and meaningful characters!
Keep coming back, and thanks for your thoughts! It’s important to have everyone’s thoughts on this — it is a forum after all. I’d love to hear if you’re an actor, and what kinds of classes are your favorites, and why.
You might be interested to know that a friend of mine had a lead in a movie with Laurence Olivier, in The Jazz Singer (Catlin Adams — she played his daughter in law) and she’d trained with Strasberg, and she said that Olivier (one of my all time favorite actors!) said his lines exactly the same way every single time, and although good, it was like acting with a cardboard cut out. No spontaneity, no real, honest reactions. Olivier? Wow! Sandord Meisner would have rolled over in his grave!! ha ha! After all, he said that acting is most importantly, reacting to others, reacting to yourself, reacting, then acting, then reacting, nothing more. But the most important thing.
Method based study (and that even includes, in my opinion, Meisner) helps you learn how to be honest and real in the moment, and how to react quickly, and realistically. Something I’d never really learned at USC. Hopefully that’s changed.
Have a great day! And good luck with your acting career!
Interesting story, in my opinion.
Kirsten :-)
Hi, i really enjoyed reading your comments about not doing a full time 1 year course. At the moment I am considering in doing a full time 1 year course as I am from Ireland and dont have the opportunity to be in any of the movie places such as NYC and LA because of work permit reason and avail of part time acting courses. I want to learn acting for tv and film in a really good school that really focuses on developing the craft. Are there anyones that you would reccommend?
Thanks,
Micheal
Are you looking for a program in Ireland? I am confused? If you are looking for good one year or college programs I would recommend ACT in San Francisco, or Julliard, or any actual University Programs — over the month or year long programs at The New York Film Academy, or at other bigger professional programs. Having taught at the New York Film Academy, and knowing some bad things about their program, I do not recommend it — even though they do have very good marketing and websites and several different programs of different lengths and prices. I don’t know of any month or year long programs in England or Ireland. Again, if you go back to my original article about professional programs, I really recommend working with private teachers, for a year, several at a time over each week, and that would be much cheaper than doing a whole big program. You say you can’t go to NY or LA. If you are in Ireland, anywhere near Dublin, I would think you could find some very excellent private teachers. If that’s where you are, let me know, as I have lots of friends who are actors in Dublin and London, and I can get you some names of private teachers or smaller schools, in those two cities. Good luck, and thanks for your kind words about my site!
I would love to take a method acting class.
I have called several places ,but i can’t attend those classes i’m disabled and they don’t have wheelchair access.
Does anyone know of a good affordable method acting class in london their is accessible to wheelchair users?
Dear A.O. -
I wish you luck too. I wish I knew of acting programs in London. The only one I know of is the New York Film Academy program in London. I don’t know enough about the teachers there to make a formal recommendation, but as I did teach at their Los Angeles location, in Burbank, I know that they are pretty thoughtful about helping disabled students. Maybe you could call their offices and see if they have wheel chair access. I would think there are laws that require wheel chair access for businesses. If they don’t have access, maybe you could work something out with the head of the program to help you get up into the room, and then they could bring your chair in after. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, and I hope this suggestion helps. One good thing about the New York Film Academy for acting classes, is that they offer all sorts of summer programs of various lengths (from two day, half day, week long — etc…) Good luck and you have been in my thoughts so much the last few weeks!
Hi Kirsten,
Thank you for this article. I haven’t looked too much into the method acting area yet, but I hope to do so soon. I’ve been researching on some acting classes in L.A., and found one with great reviews. They teach the Meisner Technique, and I was wondering what your opinion on that is. On their website they say the Meisner Technique can also help with acting on film and television:
“Although the Meisner Technique was originally developed for stage actors, it has quickly become the technique of choice in Los Angeles… for one simple reason. The ability to improvise with a memorized text is critical on camera, where improvisation, not rehearsal, is important.”
Thank you again for your time and help.
Best,
Julian
Hi Julian,
Sorry, I’ve been swamped this week with replies to all the fabulous comments on this blog. I think Meisner is great. The only reason I didn’t take a Meisner class is that I once audited one, and I found the method just not my style. But I know it works for so many people, because it makes you present in the moment, and from what I know about it, it helps you really listen to the other actor, and then react to what they’ve told you, BEFORE you reply. I am not sure if it’s really the style of CHOICE for film actors. Programs love to toot their own horns (not to be too cynical) and brag that their method of teaching and acting is the most “popular”. I always get a bit uncomfortable when anyone says they have the answer to anything. I personally like the method work I did in a class in LA, but that class also incorporated lots of other stuff, like Spolin Theatre Games, Gary Austin Improv training, and other psychological work, like animal and archetypal work, which is Michael Checkhov I think. So when I say I love “method” the method that I learned was an amalgamation of a ton of other things. All teachers like to incorporate what works best for them — that’s why I never recommend JUST going to the Lee Strasberg Institute or the Stella Adler Theatre. Again, those who say “you can ONLY” do this type of thing, or that type of thing, they are really just trying to BRAND their programs, as a way to bring in clients, and ultimately, pay their rent (that’s not their only motivation, I know, I’m just saying…) I always say to audit your classes first, and see if you like the teacher and their teaching style. That’s the most important thing. I’d love for you to share with all of us on this site what you found out and what you think about any classes or teachers you’ve had. Everyone’s always wanting advice and first hand experience about programs or classes. Thanks again for your advice, and keep coming back, and keep on acting! - Kirsten
Hey Kristin,
Im from he Chicago land area had I have yet to study strasberg and Adler extensively but i have done Meisner. I like his approach but like every approch I feel there is a defect in the technique. I have read chubbacks book and Love the substitution and emotional memory approach but it seems like SO MANY PEOPLE are against that method. I read people degrading that technique too often. My question is other then Caitlins class do you know of a teacher that teaches strasberg and Adler in Los Angeles but meet more then once a week? Thanks!
Hi Logan,
Thanks for your questions and comments. Honestly, I don’t think you NEED more than one major acting class a week. If you’re trying to stay busy though, I recommend taking one class a week in different things. Example: take a weekly acting class with someone like Catlin, then take an improv class at the Groundlings, or directly with Gary Austin who founded the Groundlings, then take a voice/dialects class with a voice teacher, then take a dance class with someone else. You could be busy every day taking a weekly class, but each one would meet weekly, and you’d get many different points of view and lots of different experiences. You could also take an audition technique class, a cold reading class, an acting for camera class. What I would do is “Google” each of these subjects, find 2 or 3 options for each, then audit each one till you find the right combination and take many classes a week. It would still be thousands of dollars cheaper than a formal program, and you’d meet tons of working actors in the LA area. Since it’s been about three years since I moved away from LA I’m not up on all the hottest teachers right now in LA. I do recommend a great voice teacher who teaches out of Burbank named Deborah Ross Sullivan. I bet she’s in the phone book. And Spolin/Theatre Games are best taught at Groundlings or by Gary Austin himself (Catlin also teaches this in her weekly classes). A GREAT acting class is still worth it even if it’s only once a week. Like good therapy, you actually NEED the time off in between classes to work on your scenes with partners, and to let the stuff you’ve learned each week digest into your heart and soul. Working out, going to a trainer or therapist, is also a great way to spend your time (and money) if you’re going to be a professional. It will help you deepen your emotions and help you be a more stable human being as you try and continue to try to get full-time work in the film/acting worlds of LA (or NY). If I had the money and time to do it all over again, I’d take probably about 3 classes a week (even if they were all different) then spend extra money to get a trainer, get in the best shape of my life, and spend the other part of my time going to film festivals and volunteering at them, and working hard to meet filmmakers, agents, etc… Getting out and about is what it’s all about and there a many ways to do that that don’t cost money in LA. Hope this helps! Keep on acting! ALSO - one reason people are against the method is they don’t really understand it. They think it means “becoming” the part and staying in character the whole time. It’s not that at all, and it’s so much more. For me it was about learning “sensory focusses” to take me out of my mind and put me back into my body and not THINK too much or say my lines the same way each time, that way I was natural, and my behavior was more interesting (say, if you had a focus of sauna, and you were in a scene where you were drunk, all you had to do was relive your body being in a hot sauna, instead of THINKING drunk)… I know you know what I’m saying. :-)
Hi Kristin,
I am from India and currently studying in UK. I want to go for ‘method acting technique’ from ‘The Lee Strasberg School’. I want you to ask you that is it the good acting school specially for the beginners. And as I am new to this line so is it appropriate to straight go for method technique. Moreover, can you please tell me which school is better for me NY or LA considering living expenses, part time job and other things. and do you know if there is some good method school in UK or not. Furthermore, as I am going for 12 weeks classes so is it sufficient for me to become a good actor.Thanks
I’ve heard great things about the Lee Strasberg School - but I just don’t know about the teachers there. While a school may be fantastic, you just never know about each individual teacher. I always recommend auditing a class you will be taking first before handing over your money to that program for a definite period of time. This way you’ll know if you like the teacher or not. As far as Method is concerned, it’s a GREAT way for actors of all stages, beginning or advanced, to get into the whole acting process, as it really develops your chops as they say. It heightens your senses and your emotions and will help you in every aspect of your life, so I highly recommend this study. As far as NY or LA, it’s really your call. Both are incredibly expensive to move to and live in. Can’t advise you about part time jobs. Always recommend working retail (sales) or waiting tables, as a way to hit the ground running. I also recommend temping jobs, as you can say yes or no each morning, or each week, to jobs as they come. A 12 week program is also a great way to start acting, as it doesn’t limit you to a whole year, and if you’re not super happy with it, you’ll be finished with it in 3 months, and it also really tells you if you want or need more study. It satisfies your interests and your talents, while not locking you in to a particular study, and it gets you settled in a new city and helps you meet new friends there. Hope this helps, and keep on acting! Once you finish a program that’s 3 months long, you will be able to find other types of classes such as : audition technique, voice, movement, monologues, acting for film or tv, more specific areas you might want to explore.