Scientists at McMaster University tested the brain function of theatre students trained in Stanislavski’s method acting. MRI scans showed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, indicating the actors were “losing themselves” in their characters. Stanislavski’s approach focuses on understanding a character’s motivations and goals, rather than fully becoming the character like in Lee Strasberg’s method.
The best actors in the world embody the characters they are playing, immersing themselves in how the character might think, act and feel in different situations. Many who use “method acting” techniques almost become their character. But how far-reaching the transformation is, scientists at McMaster University in Canada wondered. So they devised some tests for a group of theater majors all trained in using Stanislavski’s approach and measured their brain function while immersed in the character. When the actors were fully in character, MRI scans showed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain linked to self-awareness, suggesting the actors were indeed “losing themselves” in their acting.
Getting into character:
Developed by Constantin Stanislavski in the early 20th century at the Moscow Art Theater, the Stanislavski version of method acting seeks realism by focusing on a character’s motivations, obstacles, and goals.
Using this method, an actor tries to find out what a character wants, the things that keep the character from getting it, and what means the character will use to achieve this.
Unlike Lee Strasberg’s “Method Acting,” in which the actors try to fully become their characters, Stanislavski’s approach encourages the actors to remain separate from the characters to understand motivations and goals.
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