"Acting isn't something you do. Instead of doing it, it occurs. If you're going to start with logic, you might as well give up. You can have conscious preparation, but you have unconscious results."
The quote above from Lee Strasberg above sums up his technique perfectly. If you're at all interested in acting you will know of the technique named 'Method Acting'. Method Acting is derived from Konstantin Stanislavski (although not named Method Acting by him at the time). Stanislavski is a Theatre Practitioner from the 1900s. He believed actors needed to use memories of their own to embody and connect with their characters on a personal level. This idea is what inspired Lee Strasberg to come up with an idea of his own.
Strasberg's Method
Strasberg believed that actors need to think further than emotional memory using a technique named 'Substitution' meaning actors should temporarily become the characters they are representing. He thought Stanislavski's technique was lacking and emotional memory was not enough. Strasberg once said; "Acting is the most personal of our crafts. The make-up of a human being- his physical, mental and emotional habits influence his acting to a much greater extent than commonly recognised." Could it be said any better?
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Here are some famous
examples of 'Substitution' being used |
Strasberg's method had a massive impact on the industry and it captured the interest of many actors. The method is used to this day by the likes of both students and Hollywood stars. Famous examples of the technique being used include:
Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver
Natalie Portman in The Black Swan
Heath Ledger in The Dark Night
Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted.
Strasberg's method is very popular for naturalistic performances. It is mostly used in screen acting as it is not as theatrical. In 1948 Strasberg joined 'The Actors Studio' as a teacher. It was his aim to provide professionals in the world of performance with creative exploration and growth. Amongst the countless pros he trained were; Al Pacino, Marilyn Monroe, Julie Harris and James Dean. The Actor's Studio is a membership organisation founded in 1947 New York by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis. The Studio is made up of actors, playwrights and directors who want to redefine acting. The teachers would help actors to express the truth of the character in the moment. This turned out to be the most successful and powerful influence on American acting in the 20th Century. Lee Strasberg was the founding artistic director of the actors studio and ,of course, based his techniques off Stanislavski.
The history of Lee Strasberg
Lee Strasberg was born 'Israel Strassberg' on November 17th 1901 in Austrian Poland to Jewish parents. Strasberg's Dad- Baruch Meyer Strassberg- emigrated to New York to be a presser in the garment industry and worked until he earned enough money to move his family over in 1909. Strasberg had a very tight bond with his brother Zalmon and they spent most of their time together. Unfortunately, in 1918 Zalmon died of Influenza leaving Strasberg heartbroken. Lee was a straight A student until this tragedy led him to drop out of school. After dropping out of Secondary School due to the heartbreak of Zalmon's death, Strasberg worked in a shop that made hairpieces. It was at this time that he became aware of theatre via a settlement house company that a relative introduced him to. A settlement house company was an organisation that supported the urban poor and European immigrants. They gave them access to education, healthcare, childcare and employment resources.
The first ever play that Strasberg performed in was Yiddish. He later joining the street settlement house's drama club. A casting director of the Theatre Guild realised Strasberg had something special and at 23 he auditioned for the Clare Tree Major School of Theatre then in the early 1920s Lee became an actor and stage manager with the Theatre Guild.
In 1923 there was a major turning point for Strasberg as he had a Stanislavski encounter. Stanislavski brought Moscow Art Theatre to the USA. Strasberg watched the show. He had known of good actors but had never seen an ensemble where actors completely surrendered in their characters and their work. This was a massive inspiration to Lee. Strasberg co-founded the Group Theatre in 1931 along with Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford. They were named 'America's first true theatre collective' then in 1948 Strasberg joined The Actor's Studio (as previously mentioned). Strasberg was in fact a successful actor himself and returned to acting in the 70s.
One of Strasberg's most notable roles was Jewish Gangster Hyman Roth in 'The Godfather Part II' alongside his former student Al Pacino. This role was in fact suggested by Pacino and good thing it was as Strasberg receive an academy award nomination for the role.
2 years later he starred in the thriller 'The Cassandra Crossing' with Sophia Loren then in 79 he had a leading film role in 'Going with Style'. This was one of Strasberg's last notable roles as sadly he died in 1982.
But, before his death it was obvious that he needed to leave a legacy. In 1969 Strasberg established 'The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute' to teach his work and leave his legacy.
The mission statement on the website of the school reads;
"The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute is dedicated to the ideals, values and vision of Lee Strasberg's innovative work, known throughout the world as 'The Method'. Through actor training outreach, and the preservation of archival materials. The institute works to further the legacy of Lee Strasberg, train the world's greatest actors, and maintain Lee's place as a seminal figure in the great American theatre tradition."
I think its fair to say ... a powerful legacy Lee Strasberg has certainly left. I think the most suitable and touching quote of Strasberg's to end this essay with is this;
"Art is longer than life.
If we cannot see the possibility of greatness, how can we dream it?"
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Lee Strasberg 1901-1982
May his soul Rest in Peace |
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