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Why Many Actors Struggle with Emotions and Acting
Charlie Sandlan is the head of acting at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. Here in this video, Charlie discusses why many actors struggle with emotions in their acting.
Why Many Actors Struggle with Emotions and Acting
Emotion, as it pertains to acting can be very elusive, and a misunderstood part of the art form. A big problem that many aspiring actors have is that they don’t possess an instrument that is pliable and vulnerable enough to access the full gamut of human emotion. Also, most actors misunderstand emotion in acting, often falsely believing that quantity is more important than quality. So actors struggle, often their entire careers, trying to figure out how to bring more depth to their work. How can you be more vulnerable? How can you find the ease to allow for a simple, fluid emotional life? How can you connect emotionally not only to text but the other actors on stage/on set? These are the problems that actors confront when dealing with emotion.
It can be frustrating to read a scene, and understand the emotional arc of the character and the depth of the experience intellectually but struggle to bring that forth in your behavior. If the actor is not vulnerable, the emotional connection can get blocked. Breath is vital in an actor’s ability to process deep, rich experience. The problem for those of you that want to be genuinely open and available in the imaginary world is that the parenting, socialization, and education that you have endured has built up walls that keep you protected and safe. These are all important to be a well-functioning adult but are a detriment if you want to be an emotionally sensitive actor. An actor must chip away at these defenses, so that your empathy, your humanity, and your vulnerability can come to the surface. I have found the Meisner Technique, created by Sandy Meisner in the 1930’s, to be the most effective way to accomplish this.
If you are an actor who has a very tense body and voice, an actor who may be up to this point has never seriously trained and worked on your craft, you probably have found yourself frustrated by the lack of depth in your acting. You must develop the capacity to feel pain, hurt, heartbreak, embarrassment, shame, grief, joy, silliness, humiliation, ultimately the entire gamut of human experience. That resides in you because you are human, but the great roles, the profound characters require actors to function from parts of themselves that they spend most of their lives repressing. We do not go through our days searching for conflict or have much experience performing from our rage or engaging in soul exposing intimacy. An actor must develop their instrument so that human emotion becomes their pallet. It takes a flexible body, a resonant voice, and a versatile temperament. It takes years to develop, and won’t be accomplished in a scene study, film & tv, or improv class.
And emotional availability isn’t enough if you want to be a great actor. You must also be ascetically pleasing to watch. In life, intense experiences cause us to tighten up, stop breathing, and often flee. But an actor doesn’t have that option. An actor must be able to release into intense emotion so that it’s not locked up. If you are serious about becoming a more versatile actor, than you must come to the understanding that serious training is the first big step in removing yourself from the pool of mediocrity. It’s the first door to open if you aspire to take on significant characters and lead parts.
Meisner Training at the Maggie Flanigan Studio
Learn more about the actor training and the acting programs that the studio provides, which are based on the principles of the Meisner Technique. Actors who are interested in applying for admission to the studio can call (917) 794-3878 to learn more about the admission process.
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“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”
“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”
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“Maggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.”
“Maggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.”
“After working for ten years, I did the 2 year program, and now feel that I have the tools I need to become the actor I’ve always dreamed of being. Maggie Flanigan instilled in me a clear sense of truth and a standard of perfection. I am a better actor because of this studio.”
“As an actor, the core of what you have to rely on is your sense of truth and humanity. Maggie allowed me to discover and embrace mine. Trusting my sense of humanity and truth has given me the ability to take risks in my work and my career decisions.”
“Maggie Flanigan has the unique ability to get an actor to the essence of what is true in a moment. She creates a safe and caring environment in which to work.”
“Maggie Flanigan introduced me to my own spirit and my own sense of Truth. Her passion for teaching and ability to communicate are rare gifts to any actor looking for a technique to set his or her talent free. Maggie’s voice has been the one constant guide in my career.”