Oh wow! I LOVE this. Specificity is paramount, but it is so hard to actually do. We speak this way with others so frequently, and it now is crystal clear how "lazy" these words are (kinda, sorta, sorta-kinda). It's harder to be specific and trying to eliminate it is very challenging. What a good LIFE exercise.
I am a student, changing my life after a full career. These tips are not only exceptional for bringing better self awareness to acting, but bringing clarity to where you need to go, and what you need to do in life. Getting rid of "sort of", "kind of", "a little bit" in a vocabulary, especially as a female who, in the professional world, has always been expected to tone down and apologize for being - this is what I need to get past. Thank you.
This is so true! It's remarkable how many lessons from acting carry over into the "real world." I'm excited to hear that you're taking these steps to assert yourself. Congratulations! That takes guts!
Yes, 100%! I catch myself saying sort-of, kind-of and it really does muddle the performance, it's not concrete. Same with the word "just' ... oh my character just wants to... it's less intense, less committed.
Jim, thank you. I can't believe you teach this stuff for free. I'm so grateful. I just started reading Meisner on Acting. But I've been watching your videos for a few months now. You inspired me. I have a question for you. You have been through the highest level of training, acting, and teaching. Your skills, perspective and point of view are damn near impossible to match anywhere in the world. So your answer is invaluable, especially to me. If you had to start your acting career all over again, where would you start? For the purpose of this question, let's assume that you want to become a serious actor with no desire for glamour or fame.) Thank you
Hi Daniel, Thank you for your kind words. If I had to start over, I would begin the exact same way I did the first time: I would find the best teacher I could. It's important to find a teacher who truly gets you and who constantly challenges you to be better. This was Sandy for me. But so many other people have found their teachers who do the same for them. And second, I would build a really solid support system in other aspects of my life so that I could have balance. It's important to want this and to be hungry for it, but it's also important to remember that your best work is only possible when you're the best version of you. This career is hard and it takes a toll, and having people around you who support you will make these mountains that you're going to climb feel infinitely easier. I wish you the best of luck
@@TheMeisnerTechniqueStudio You responded! AND your response real! So generous, man.*calms self down* Thank you! BETTER question: The Meisner Technique is a true mystery to basically everyone except actual students of Meisner HIMSELF. Misunderstanding then undervaluing these teachings is our tragedy. What are the rest of us missing? Which parts of these teachings are we misunderstanding? Does ego play a part in our failings?(no pun intended)
Wasnt it Stanislavski who also had a word "If". Iv picked up two things that have stuck in my memory as an absolute beginner Actor. "Become the Character" and "Know what the Character wants". I dont know how to do either but Im sure it will come in handy at some point.
Thanks for watching! We'll be releasing a video soon about the Meisner Technique approach to the concept of "character." It differs slightly, but as always, we recommend that every actor uses whatever works best for them!
@@TheMeisnerTechniqueStudio An Actor Prepares was the second Acting book I read. I have Sanford Meisner on Acting and also William Esper The Actors Art and Craft. I really need to crack on and read those two next.
Hi, it's baffling how few people stumble upon your videos. I hope this does not discourage your efforts. 300+ hours get uploaded on CZcams every minute. Your work is important. Espacially the current series. I hope for episodes on how to work with the technique with written dialogue and action.
Tienes toda la razón, entre más clara y sencilla es una propuesta la intensión es poderosa, estaré muy atenta cuando utilice esta expresión de "es como" "es como si" 😉 👉 you're totally right, the most clear the intention the most clear the action... I'll pay attention to that specifically word in my toughts... Greetings from Venezuela 😃
Hello sir , first of all thankyou for your videos . It has been helpful. My question is when do we stop that “ WHY “ because as you know it’s never ending. And how do we know if we are on the right track ?
hi ritesh,. you'll know when you're on the right track because your answers to these "why's" will DO something to you and your gut and your inner life. and you stop when you've plugged all the holes that you'd need to plug t make this live inside of you and your talent - i hope that helps, jim
Oh wow! I LOVE this. Specificity is paramount, but it is so hard to actually do. We speak this way with others so frequently, and it now is crystal clear how "lazy" these words are (kinda, sorta, sorta-kinda). It's harder to be specific and trying to eliminate it is very challenging. What a good LIFE exercise.
I am a student, changing my life after a full career. These tips are not only exceptional for bringing better self awareness to acting, but bringing clarity to where you need to go, and what you need to do in life. Getting rid of "sort of", "kind of", "a little bit" in a vocabulary, especially as a female who, in the professional world, has always been expected to tone down and apologize for being - this is what I need to get past. Thank you.
This is so true! It's remarkable how many lessons from acting carry over into the "real world." I'm excited to hear that you're taking these steps to assert yourself. Congratulations! That takes guts!
Yes, 100%! I catch myself saying sort-of, kind-of and it really does muddle the performance, it's not concrete. Same with the word "just' ... oh my character just wants to... it's less intense, less committed.
Completely agreed! It's exciting to feel the differences in preparations when we get better at eliminating these words
Yes. The question "Why?" is the key to being really specific. How do you construct an emotional prep for the opening moment of a scene?
i love asking “why” is my character thinking that. I love knowing what they think. It’s my favorite part
We love that! As Sandy said, "'Why' is the most important word in an actor's vocabulary"
Jim
Please exlain how to improve preparation .. how to make it thick... Or quicker. ..
Recently finished Meisner’s book and have been going deeper into my studies and work. This was a great video with great advice! Just subscribed! 🙌🏻
Thank you for joining the community! And congratulations on your decision to take this to the next level
Thank you!
Jim, thank you. I can't believe you teach this stuff for free. I'm so grateful. I just started reading Meisner on Acting. But I've been watching your videos for a few months now. You inspired me. I have a question for you.
You have been through the highest level of training, acting, and teaching. Your skills, perspective and point of view are damn near impossible to match anywhere in the world. So your answer is invaluable, especially to me.
If you had to start your acting career all over again, where would you start? For the purpose of this question, let's assume that you want to become a serious actor with no desire for glamour or fame.) Thank you
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your kind words. If I had to start over, I would begin the exact same way I did the first time: I would find the best teacher I could. It's important to find a teacher who truly gets you and who constantly challenges you to be better. This was Sandy for me. But so many other people have found their teachers who do the same for them.
And second, I would build a really solid support system in other aspects of my life so that I could have balance. It's important to want this and to be hungry for it, but it's also important to remember that your best work is only possible when you're the best version of you. This career is hard and it takes a toll, and having people around you who support you will make these mountains that you're going to climb feel infinitely easier.
I wish you the best of luck
@@TheMeisnerTechniqueStudio
You responded! AND your response real! So generous, man.*calms self down* Thank you!
BETTER question:
The Meisner Technique is a true mystery to basically everyone except actual students of Meisner HIMSELF. Misunderstanding then undervaluing these teachings is our tragedy. What are the rest of us missing? Which parts of these teachings are we misunderstanding? Does ego play a part in our failings?(no pun intended)
Wasnt it Stanislavski who also had a word "If". Iv picked up two things that have stuck in my memory as an absolute beginner Actor. "Become the Character" and "Know what the Character wants". I dont know how to do either but Im sure it will come in handy at some point.
Thanks for watching! We'll be releasing a video soon about the Meisner Technique approach to the concept of "character." It differs slightly, but as always, we recommend that every actor uses whatever works best for them!
hi and once again thank you for watching and commenting - and yes, it was Stanislavsky who talked about the "magic if" - jim
@@TheMeisnerTechniqueStudio An Actor Prepares was the second Acting book I read. I have Sanford Meisner on Acting and also William Esper The Actors Art and Craft. I really need to crack on and read those two next.
Hi, it's baffling how few people stumble upon your videos. I hope this does not discourage your efforts. 300+ hours get uploaded on CZcams every minute.
Your work is important. Espacially the current series.
I hope for episodes on how to work with the technique with written dialogue and action.
Thank you for watching! We've just begun our efforts to revitalize the channel, so there will be plenty more videos coming up, on a variety of topics
very profound. Beautiful!
Thank you!
You are doing a wonderful job. Your vedios are so resourceful . Thank you for doing this 😊❤️.
Thank you for watching! We're glad you enjoy them
I am a trainning actor from Nigeria. My question is why dont we ask questions when using the mesiner technique?
Tienes toda la razón, entre más clara y sencilla es una propuesta la intensión es poderosa, estaré muy atenta cuando utilice esta expresión de "es como" "es como si" 😉 👉 you're totally right, the most clear the intention the most clear the action... I'll pay attention to that specifically word in my toughts... Greetings from Venezuela 😃
hi veronica, and greetings back to you! my best, jim
Hello sir , first of all thankyou for your videos . It has been helpful.
My question is when do we stop that “ WHY “ because as you know it’s never ending. And how do we know if we are on the right track ?
hi ritesh,. you'll know when you're on the right track because your answers to these "why's" will DO something to you and your gut and your inner life. and you stop when you've plugged all the holes that you'd need to plug t make this live inside of you and your talent - i hope that helps, jim