Stanlislovskis System: Concepts On Acting :: essays research papers

Stanlislovskis System Concepts on Acting     The Elements of Style, as described by Sonia More in her simplified viewof the Stanlislavski System, are clear rudimentary concepts knowing to helpactors achieve a profound and truthful portrayal of their character on the stagethrough personal connection with their character. These concepts are knowingas tools for the actor so that he may connect to a character or situation on thestage that he otherwise would not be able to connect with.     As Sonia Moore put it, Stanlislovski knew that an actors mind, will,and emotions must participate in the creation of a live human being on the stage.He also understood that it is impossible for people to turn their thoughts andemotions on and off as if by a switch. He also knew that no actor coming onstage without any reason for experiencing emotions would be unable to do sowithout some connection, or bridge, to the personal and emotional response oftheir ch aracter. So Stanlislovski designed tool for the actor to use to helphim connect with the emotional and physical world of his character.     Such concepts as The semblance If is a clear example of a tool an actorcould use to connect himself the life of the character. The Magic If, simplyguides the actor to ask the simple question "What would I do if I were in mycharacter position?" By asking this question of himself the actor canpersonalize the given circumstances of the character. The situation of thecharacter becomes much personal, and the stakes overmuch higher, because the actorhas divulged some particular issues of himself into the character. Due to theseparticularities the actor will work out the given circumstance of the characterin a much more truthful manner. Even in acting the old saying goes "You cannotreally know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes." This concept of TheMagic If also plays a big part in another Element of Act ion -Imagination.     Imagination is another tool that allows the actor to build a genuinerelationship with his character by creating the very universe in which hischaracter resides. Through this artistic imagination the actor can create thepast, present, and future of the character. The actor, in essence, could playGod wherein the character is concerned apart from given circumstances or thecircumstances that exist within the play. This artistic imagination is being utilise to give thoughts and feeling to the character being portrayed by simplyinfusing honesty and truthfulness into the actors per frame of referenceance.     There are other Elements of Actions that guide the actor to form