Actors make what they do look so easy. It is quite literally their job to make us feel that way. The truth is, they actually put a lot of thought into everything that they do on screen. What we see is a combination of various acting styles and techniques, and you might want to know a bit more about that if you are the creative type who is interested in getting your start in this type of work.

Classical Acting

This is an older method of acting that is still used in certain contexts. It is the use of various techniques developed during Shakespeare’s time, and it was perfected in the 1800s. It requires a lot of work in that the actors must learn about the scripts and characters that they play in-depth and spend an extensive amount of time figuring out how best to portray those individuals. Typically speaking, this type of acting sticks to the words that are written in the script, and you are not going to find a lot of flexibility with this acting method.

Modern Acting

Some people felt that classic actors put on a performance that was a bit too over-the-top when they were put in front of the big screen. To cut out some of that, modern acting methods are now used. This form of acting requires the actors to ask themselves a series of seven questions before embracing their role. Those questions are:

• Who am I?
• Where am I?
• When is it?
• What do I want?
• Why do I want it?
• How will I get it?
• What do I need to overcome?

Once the actor is in the headspace that they need to be, they can put on a wonderful and relatable performance.

Method Acting

This form of acting is even more modern, having come about in the 1920s. Still, it is used often in performances today because of its effectiveness. You can thank Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg for that.

Stella Adler

The Stella Adler method asks actors to generate vivid images in their minds from their imagination to generate the emotions that they need to express while acting. It is an imaginative way to bring about some very real emotions.

Lee Strasberg

The Lee Strasberg approach is a little different in that it calls upon an actor’s own lived experiences to create the emotion that they need to express while acting. While it can be more challenging to pull off this form of acting, the results can be far more realistic and impactful.

The Meisner Technique

The concept behind this technique is that the repetition of certain acting traits and skills may lead to an actor being able to perform them on command when necessary while acting. It requires a lot of time and practice to nail down the exact formula that an actor wants to display while out there, but it can be highly effective when done well.

The Chekhov Technique

This technique is used by actors who wish to convey universal meaning through gestures and body language. In other words, it is useful when trying to present some type of information to a broad audience that extends beyond one’s domestic country. The purpose of this is to create a feeling within any audience that can translate across cultures.

Learn More at Be On Air

Plenty of acting techniques and skills can be learned. If you are the type of person who has always wanted to get involved with this type of work, then you need to check out what we have to offer at Be On Air. Sign up for our classes now to start learning the techniques that can make you a better actor and help you present the emotions, feelings, and meaning that you wish to provide to your audience. To get started, contact us now.