How Actors Become Characters

We have finished our series on what makes a good actor. In case you missed it, the articles are: emotional memory, physical actions, imagination, concentration of attention, and tempo-rhythm.

It is now time to combine all of the methods described and use them to create a character. An important note to keep in mind is that every actor will portray the same character in a different way. Every performance is different, and that is good. Stanislavski said, "Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art."

Actors must address a series of questions in order to rationalize the behavior and actions of their character at any given time. Each character has a super-objective. They may have been placed in a story to further the action of another character or the plot as a whole, but it is important for actors to keep their characters' super-objectives at the forefront of all of their actions.

As humans, we live the same way. When we are hungry and want to eat, we will perform whatever actions necessary to get to the point of sitting in front of a plate of food, but all the while, our thoughts are mostly looking forward to that exact moment.

Let's say a woman has planned a day outdoors at a state or national park, but has forgotten to bring water. If she is in the middle of a hike which will take her to the public pool, but her companion is taking in all of the sights, she might act differently than if she were alone on the hike.

There are many repeated stories or remakes of films. Different actors play the same role in theater all of the time. In order to create a unique performance, an actor must thoroughly acknowledge the specific director and accompanying actors. They must base their character on the specifics of the story at the time during which it is being told.

Attending the same musical in different cities performed in different eras can drastically alter an audience's experience. Actors must keep this in mind. Although any particular story may be old (think of Sleeping Beauty, for instance), full attention must be given to every part of a character and performance as everything relates to the whole and any difference will affect the whole.

Stanislavski also stresses the importance of different facets of a character's personality. He says, "When you play a nasty man, search for what is good to him." Seeking different aspects of any particular character will add a variety and depth to the character. The performance will become fuller, and the audience will embrace a character's personality as truth more easily.