An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski is a book that teaches actors how to perform. It is an attempt to provide structure and framework to guide the acting through instruction, thought processes and exercises. The book is part of a series of works, but due to publishing delays during the second world war, many are unaware it has companion pieces. This first book delves into the psychological aspects of creating a character. An Actor Prepares and its teachings have had a profound effect on many directors and actors.
Constantin Stanislavski was a Russian actor and director. He had reputation for remaining in character when not performing, probably to rehearse for the role. This trait has been attributed to modern Method actors like James Woods. He co-founded what was to become the Moscow Art Theatre in 1897. This theatre and troupe gained acclaim performing the works of Checkov, who deliberately provided little insight to the characters. This allowed applications Stanislavski for his psychological techniques and flesh out the roles. The Moscow Art Theatre is where he taught and refined the “System”. In 1906, the first formal version of his System began to take shape. An Actor Prepares was first published in 1936.
The book itself is an imaginary diary of fictional student Kostya training under the director Tortsov. Tortsov is a stand in for Stanislavski, as he teaches the System. Kostya records the daily rehearsals and exercises Tortsov has the students in his class perform. The book indirectly teaches through these examples. For example, early on the students perform Othello and when finished Tortsov offers instruction on what they did incorrectly.
The System is what Stanislavski called his collective teachings. Within the System, you will find concepts such as emotion memory, substitution and replace if magic. These concepts are related to psychology, which at the time was a area largely unknown. Actors are encouraged to produce real emotions on stage by either recalling the personal experiences the actor has had or by using imagination to elicit the appropriate response. The actor remains in character but is himself experiencing the real emotion, thus being truthful.
Method Acting is modern, American derivative of the System. Lee Strasberg created the Method, but others such as Stella Adler have made contributions. Emotional memory, substitution and the magic if remain the main focus of Method Acting. Both Method Acting and the System incorporate exercises for the actors to complete in order to practice the necessary mental skills. The Breakfast Drink is an example of one such exercise.
Tags: Actor, Actor Prepares, Skills
Here are 5 general categories of equipment, devices or/and other apparatus to create build a home cinema:
Input Device – first things first, you need some sort of player to access your favorite movie. There are many choices – HDTV, Blu-ray, DVD player, VCD player, and you can also use your personal computer or video game systems. Of course each has its own pros and cons.
Processing Device – it usually provides a more enhanced “home cinema” experience by using standalone AV receiver/preamplifier and sound processor for complex sound formats.
Audio Output – most people are contented with 2 speakers and extra subwoofer but you can add more as you desire.
Video Output – your choices include a HDTV display, LCD TV, plasma TV, video projector, rear-projection TV or for those with tight budget, a typical CRT TV can also do the trick.
Atmosphere – the style of the chairs, movie posters, vending machine, specialized furniture, sophisticated or theatrical room interiors or any other ideas you could possibly think that will make you or your guest to actually think and feel they are inside a movie house.
Apparently, the more you want to experience a real cinematic home viewing the more it will cost you. But you don’t really have to buy very expensive devices. You can start one piece at a time. Also remember that it takes true creativity and resourcefulness to put up your very own home cinema.
Tags: Cinema, Production