I"m doing some thinking about Method acting with a view to writing something about it. Personally I loved my experience of Method acting in London. And I know that many are wary of. it and a lot of drama schools don't go anywhere near it for fear of students getting traumatised. I can see why they might feel cautious.
As part of my research I came across what Martha Stewart had to say about Mathhew McConaughey. Apparently he scared her because he used Method acting to get into the characters he played in the Uber Eats commercial. Here is the article: https://pagesix.com/2025/03/13/celebrity-news/martha-stewart-admits-matthew-mcconaughey-scared-her-during-crazy-filming-experience/
I wondered what others experiences and view on Method acting are?
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Hi, Alexandra Stevens. I've heard of actors using Method acting. Some actors said Method acting helps them with roles, but some said it can hurt your health if actors take it too far.
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Yes Maurice Vaughan . I think it's because Method asks you to remember times from your past to connect with the emotions of your present character. If you connect with a traumatic time then you could re-traumatise yourself if you don't know how to regulate yourself. It makes me think about different views i have heard and read about. Whether great acting come from personal wounds? Or from a grounded, whole place. Would love to hear what others think
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While i respect any form of training, personally I think a couple years of improv training get you to the same place with zero trauma. You lived a life. Those scars are there. Improv gives you the freedom that a child feels to open up and be vulnerable at a moment’s notice, embracing the imaginary circumstances. Not dwelling on past trauma.
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Did you see her Liquid Death TV Commerical? Now that was scary!!
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Matthew Cornwell yes good point! I keep meaning to do more improv classes and this is a good reminder. I agree that they are the best way to 'let go' and be vulnerable and spontaneously connect with your instincts. I'm wondering though whether Improv still allows for the same emotional depth when needed, or does it create a different kind of access point? I love hearing about different paths in
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Mark Deuce no so I just looked at one. I'm bemused to put it lightly. Why? Why oh why would one decide to make and market such a product (dismembered limb holder) and then make that commercial? I guess it is at least a bold and unconventional marketing move. I hear it did a lot to raise brand awareness. Would you ever consider using such a marketing tactic?
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Hi all, I think that different types of techniques suit different types of actors. I like to use a mix of techniques depending on the character, situation and requirements. It's like I have a toolbox and pick what tool will get me there, whatever that is. I understand the reason why you wouldn't want to use Method acting as I feel that there is a very real possibility of retraumatising yourself, simply because the experience vibrates in your energy field and re-activates the trauma. Personally, I have done a lot of work on myself and when called upon to play really nasty, cruel or dangerous characters, I have used a combination of techniques and never felt traumatised afterwards. I use an energetic clearing technique that releases all that is not wanted in my energy field. But I understand and appreciate that the Method acting technique isn't for everybody.
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HI Brigitte Millar I think you hit the nail on the head when you say different techniques suit different individuals! Totally agree! I"m interested what energy clearing technique you use?
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Alexandra Stevens to your question about whether improv still allows for the same emotional depth, well that's where your life experience has to come in to play along with just your overall willingness to commit to the moment while 100 crew members watch. That is, if you're young and innocent and haven't experienced much of "life", then that emotional depth just won't be there for you as readily as the person who has been through a lot in life. And if you have been through a lot, my experience is that improv (again, after years of it, not a 4-week class) gives you that access point to whatever emotional depths lie within you.
That said, if you've trained in improv purely to entertain a beer-drinking crowd on a Friday night, you can be lulled into a more "jokey" version of life that can work against you when you're on set for a dark, gritty drama. But if you use improv in conjunction with your on-camera work, I find it is an amazing tool.
As Brigitte reiterated, though, everyone needs to build a toolbox and pull what works for them depending on the circumstances.
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If I wanted to portay myself as a serial killer or Hannibal Lectre Alexandra Stevens then yes.
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Matthew Cornwell I definitely agree with you that life experience has the potential to make you a better actor. And 'willingness to commit' in improv is so important and that takes a lot of guts. I think I am better at improv now than when i was younger (and feel i have a way to go). I wonder, have there been any particular improv exercises or moments in your training that unlocked something emotionally surprising for you? Or anyone else here—what's helped you access emotional depth in unexpected ways?
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Mark Deuce and do you have any hopes or plans to play a serial killer ;)
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Alexandra Stevens there are several classic improv games that manipulate your emotions or states of being. Being "forced" to organically switch emotions that you wouldn't have naturally thought of becomes an interesting training ground. Yes, when you first play these games, the emotions are only surface level. They're arguably "for the laugh". But over time, as you submit to these types of games/exercises, your walls come down and you find yourself going deeper more easily.
Again, if your sole reason for doing improv is to make a crowd laugh on a Friday night, you'll likely stay in that surface level of emotions. But if you're exploring improv as a way to become a better actor, it can be an amazing tool.
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Hi Alexandra Stevens, Thank you for your comments and question. I'm really aware of my own energy and that of others and how that affects me. Simply put, by using the chakra system, creative visualisation and intention setting you can clear out your system of what you don't want an dkeep what serves you.
? Alexandra Stevens
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To @matthewCornwell's point, The Meisner technique is a really great way of doing improv to break down emotions. If you were really connected to the other people in the scene eventually you start feeling more than what's on the surface.
As for acting technique I have a person who Triggers me emotionally and if there is a situation the moment before I create an imaginary circumstance around that feeling I need. If I need to feel happy, what scenario with this person do that would cause me happiness? What would this person do to make me feel angry? what would this person make me do feel sad? et cetera and then I have my moment before. Your body doesn't know the difference between fantasy and reality so if you can create a fantasy in your mind for the feelings that you need to feel then by the time you walk on stage you're really feeling that emotion. That to me is safer than the Method.
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Brigitte Millar thanks for sharing how you protect your energy. This resonates with how I too might protect mine. An intention can go a long way. I think it is particularly important to do this in the world of acting when we can be emotionally and energetically entwined with other actors and with the emotions of the character. How do you disconnect from the latter? Do you have a particuar way to de-role?
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Mark Deuce You put a "?" so sorry if my post wasn't clear or if I misunderstood you. It probably came across as a bit odd to you but it was an attempt at a playful response to your earlier post about the Hannibal Lecter vibe! I was following up on what you said and wondered if you’d ever want to play one on screen!"