The Meisner Acting Technique

If you are pursuing a career as a professional actor then you probably know that there are many acting techniques that you can use to master your craft. One of these techniques is the Meisner Acting method. Like many acting techniques, the Meisner method was influenced by the Stanislavsky acting system. However, unlike the Stanislavksy technique which involves plenty of mental exercises (such as the sense memory exercise), Meisner insists that an actor mustn’t just work “in his head”. Instead, Meisner emphasizes the importance of spontaneity and instincts in an actor’s training.

Doing and Acting

Unlike other acting methods which requires the actor to think extensively about his role, the Meisner technique also puts importance in the act of “doing” itself. Meisner believes that in order to become a credible performer, you need to be engaged in something real that is occurring onstage, not just in your imagination. Once you become committed to what is really happening onstage, it will be much easier for you to act using your impulses.

Focusing On the Moment

Focusing on what is occurring at the given moment also figures heavily in training under the Meisner acting method. Instead of thinking about your character’s objective and what will happen next in the scene, it’s important that you experience the scene as the present moment. After all, this is true enough in real life. Even though we do our best to plan and prepare for the future, the only tangible circumstance that we can deal with is none other than the present moment. Another way that you can concentrate on the present moment is by focusing more on the other actor/actors in the scene with you, rather than yourself.

Daydreaming vs. Sense Memory

Other acting methods such as the Stanislavsky method makes use of sense memory exercises in order to convey realistic emotions in a scene. What the actor does is recall his own real-life experiences that are similar to the situation in the scene. This way, he can re-create the appropriate emotions. Although this method works for a number of successful actors, Meisner believes that simple daydreaming or fantasizing is even more reliable than sense memory exercises. This can be particularly helpful if the scene involves a situation which you have never experienced before. For instance, let’s say that you are supposed to play a role of someone who has been betrayed by a loved one. If you haven’t had a similar experience before, you can imagine a fantasy instead. Say your best friend revealed a secret that you confided in her. You will probably feel a mixture of anger, hurt and other emotions. You can then play off these emotions during the scene.

Some Meisner Technique Exercises

If you will be studying acting under the Meisner acting method, you should expect to do a lot of exercises. For instance, you will be doing some exercises to help you learn your lines mechanically, without focusing yet on pauses, intonation, tempo, etc. This will allow you to become spontaneous when you are actually saying your lines in the scene.