Facts about Sanford Meisner/#12
Sanford Meisner: Meisner technique
Meisner maintained an emphasis on "the reality of doing," which was the foundation of his approach.
Meisner techniques: considered as unorthodox and effective.
Story: Actor Dennis Longwell wrote of sitting in on one of Meisner's classes one day, when Meisner brought two students forward for an acting exercise. They were given a single line of dialogue, told to turn away, and instructed not to do or say anything until something happened to make them say the words (one of the fundamental principles of the Meisner technique). The first student's line came when Meisner approached him from behind and gave him a strong pinch on the back, inspiring him to jump away and yelp his line in pain. The other student's line came when Meisner reached around and slipped his hand into her blouse. Her line came out as a giggle as she moved away from his touch.
The point of Meisner technique: "live truthfully under imaginary circumstances."
The focus of the Meisner approach is for the actor to "get out of their head," that is to say, the actor is behaving instinctively to the surrounding environment.
There is a greater focus on the other actor as opposed to one's internal thoughts or feelings associated to the prescribed character.
Meisner's two marriages, to Peggy Meyer and Betty Gooch, respectively, ended in divorce. Meisner, who was gay, spent the remainder of his life with partner James Carville.
Meisner formed the Group Theater with Lee Strasberg and Harold Clurman. After the Group Theater disbandoned, Meisner continued teaching acting and fulfilled his goal in practicing Meisner technique.
Meisner maintained an emphasis on "the reality of doing," which was the foundation of his approach.
Meisner techniques: considered as unorthodox and effective.
Story: Actor Dennis Longwell wrote of sitting in on one of Meisner's classes one day, when Meisner brought two students forward for an acting exercise. They were given a single line of dialogue, told to turn away, and instructed not to do or say anything until something happened to make them say the words (one of the fundamental principles of the Meisner technique). The first student's line came when Meisner approached him from behind and gave him a strong pinch on the back, inspiring him to jump away and yelp his line in pain. The other student's line came when Meisner reached around and slipped his hand into her blouse. Her line came out as a giggle as she moved away from his touch.
The point of Meisner technique: "live truthfully under imaginary circumstances."
The focus of the Meisner approach is for the actor to "get out of their head," that is to say, the actor is behaving instinctively to the surrounding environment.
There is a greater focus on the other actor as opposed to one's internal thoughts or feelings associated to the prescribed character.
Meisner's two marriages, to Peggy Meyer and Betty Gooch, respectively, ended in divorce. Meisner, who was gay, spent the remainder of his life with partner James Carville.
Meisner formed the Group Theater with Lee Strasberg and Harold Clurman. After the Group Theater disbandoned, Meisner continued teaching acting and fulfilled his goal in practicing Meisner technique.
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