Term 2 unit 5&6 STANISLAVSKI SYSTEM

Stanislavski System

STANISLAVSKI'S SYSTEM was developed through his own cross-cultural experience as an actor, director and businessman. He constantly updates his method through inter-disciplinary studies absorbing from a range of sources and influences, such as the modernist and avant-garde developments, yoga and Pavlovian behaviorist psychology. He believed that actors needed to inhabit authentic emotion while on stage so they could draw upon feelings they'd experienced in their own lives. 

Stanislavski was involved in a long and arduous practice making every actor better prepared for stage performance and eventually producing a less rigid acting style. He also developed exercises that encouraged actors to explore character motivations, giving performances depth an unassuming realism while still paying attention to the parameters of the production.

Although very complex, one of the basic goals of the "Stanislavski system" was to portray believable, natural people on stage. His actors worked hard to deliver perfectly believable performances, as none of his actors wanted to hear his famous verdict, "I don't believe."

Elements of his system...

• The magic "If" - A simple way of beginning the Stanislavski Method is to ask yourself "What would I do if I were in this situation?" This is a good way to consider natural reactions to the events in the story. However, Stanislavski also realized that these types of "what if" questions do not always lead to the best characterization. "What would I do?" might be a very different question from "What would Hamlet do?". 

• Re-Education - Actors must rethink the way they move and talk while being onstage. Theatre began in Ancient Greece with masks and choreographed sequences; styles may have changed in subsequent centuries, but they were still characterized by an actor's overemphasis found in early theatre. However, in real life, we don't behave that way. Stanislavski compelled actors to find ways to exhibit true-to-life human nature, while still being able to project loudly enough for audiences to hear. 

• Observation - Stanislavski was the ultimate people-watcher. He encouraged his students to carefully observe others, focusing on their physical traits just as much as their personalities. Every character should exhibit unique traits, many of which can be inspired and adapted from an actor's observation. 

• Emotional Memory - Stanislavski did not want his actors to simply create a facsimile of an emotion. He wanted his actors to actually feel the emotion. Actors needed to put themselves in the mindset of the character's situation so that they genuinely experience the feelings of intense sadness. However, for actors not able to connect with the character's emotional state, Stanislavski advised performers to reach into their personal memories and draw upon a comparable life experience. 

Informations from the link below:
https://www.thoughtco.com/stanislavsky-system-acting-method-2712987



What I think of the System?...

What Stanislavski concerned the most was naturalistic of each performance. Stories often go way more dramatic than in real life, it makes a performance more challenging especially when Stanislavski wanted his actors to perform them 'believable'. As not all human being will have an experience of facing any of the situations in a play or story.

I always believe in "QUALITY is more important than QUANTITY". Just like Stanislavski, he was an actor, and the way he acted was able to pass until our generation, people that know him will know how well he did in his acting career and how many nice performances he had directed. He gave himself achievements just to impress the audience. He wanted all performance to be perfect, and in the way he believes.

To be honest, before knowing that we're doing something related to Stanislavski, I've heard of him in some Chinese tv shows when I was little. But have no idea of who he is, his system went all over the world and was learning by actors from all different places. It was miraculous hearing this familiar name of his after so long and doing researches about this amazing person.

How is the System aiding me in my acting?...

By knowing the system, I will start to put my best effort into the character I'm playing for. Try to know the character in and out, watch some other versions of the play. Well understanding for the character I'm playing is leading me to perform in a more believable way.

While doing rehearsals, I will put myself in the situation, although I'm still not very good at it, Rob will sometimes tell me some other situations that I will probably face in real life, to make me react to that happening in the play more naturally.