Wynn Handman, Meisner’s right hand (Hand-man — See what happened right there? ) and protégé for many years (if you want to learn more about this see the documentary “it takes a lunatic”) used to say in interviews that Meisner was pretty good at giving one-liners (our Greek: tsitata) to his students, you know the ones I am talking as about right?
“…acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances” or
“What hinders your task becomes you task” or
“the reality of doing” or
“when in doubt repeat”
and “it’s OK to fail, it’s not OK not to try” and so many others I don’t care to write down right now. Well as a matter of fact he was not the only one, actually in my research I found out that many of those aforementioned one-liners of his have been circulating way before his time, why this happened? Well because a nugget of natural (nature’s) truth is hidden in a one-liner.
Ah, then that means that these on-lines are the truth…s the absolute truth, right?
No, they are observations of the natural laws on stage and off stage, what that means for us anarchists‘ is that as always in nature equilibrium and balance — polarity — prevails, meaning that for every one-liner the opposite also stands true, depending on the circumstances. one liners are just truisms that’s all.
But I digress, maybe that’s a subject for a different post,
Lets see some of these one-liners that might ignite something in you.
[note : For some of them I will give my own take, and for others I will not, leaving them uncommented for you to interpret and delve on, I would take my time with each one and maybe meditate on one each day, it might be fun.]
“ Its not about teaching acting, but about teaching the laws of human behavior”
That’s an interesting right ? it kind of resembles the “behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances” line, but I would argue that human behavior is not always enough, it is imperative yes, but not enough, actually I would argue that human behavior is one aspect of acting, beauty, form, timing, elegance, temporythms, stage presence and charisma are also part of the actors training.
“If acting is not founded in nature it will never reach the realm of art”
By “nature” this teacher also means “truth” but alas everyone forgets the preceding element “freedom”
“Creation and criticism CANNOT exist at the same time”
No argument from me here, I agree 100%, that’s why I love the “ spy-back” tool that Chekhov gives us.
“All great things are simple and natural.”
I will let you ponder on this one, but I will add the art of “simple and simplicity” is the hardest one of all. Not to be confused with the “less is more” fuck that!
-less is less and more is more, both are appropriate on stage and film…
“Every character has a heart, brain and soul. You are the servant of the character; the character is not your servant.”
I like this, I actually like the idea of “servitude” I also like the trichotomy heart-brain-soul.
“Every word must be spoken so that the audience gets it.”
So important, especially in a word of microphones and of the lost art of projecting your voice while maintaining the truth…
“There is only one way to do a thing — do it.”
This quote is from the 1930’s, the “just do it” by Nike came soooo much later…art rules!
“Don’t worry, just yield. It will all handle itself if you surrender.”
Well even thought this isn’t a Demidov’s quote, one would dare say it is absolutely Demidovian!
“Human impulse is the only thing that counts, not stage directions.”
One would say we hear that a lot, Meisner talks about it, other teachers preach about it, but it is as if they don’t understand that many directors DEMAND THEM (directions) ! The only one that incorporates stage directions as “score” is Demidov.
“As long as you talk words and expect to fool an audience you are an idiot.”
I love this one also, like Cameron says : “We don’t go to the theatre to hear the lines, we go to the theatre to hear what is implied…”
“The biggest mistake you can make is to divide your brain by using it partly for yourself, partly for your character.”
A golden oldie… like we say in our ensemble if you have two heads you are…A MONSTER! But let me add this, he is not referring to the split phenomenon or doubling, he talks about having half a head thinking about theatrical stage business instead of character problems…and I think the next one-liner will clarify this perfectly
“How can you be a human, sensitive being if your mind is on stage business, acting cues?”
Well you can’t !
“Never anticipate, never use your memories.”
This is a very old quote from a teacher at the American academy of dramatic arts, he probably was not familiar (yet) with lee Strasberg’s work or Stanislavsky, the Pre-Stanislavsky era for the Americans was called “modern acting” era and a bunch of teachers came out of that era (who actually predate the group theatre and actor studio) one brave enough would dare say that Stella Adler is the continuation of that school and less of the group theater, her practices resembled their practices.
“Hearing is a perfectly natural thing. Trying to listen on the stage never fools an audience.”
Again something quite beautiful and Zen like, the no effort adage, don’t strive to listen, just listen, it advocates perfect passivity, it also reminds me the philosophy of Wu Wei, an ancient Chinese concept literally meaning “inexertion”, “inaction”, or “effortless action. Wu Wei is the main principle of Dao philosophy, which speaks of the importance of achieving the Dao or the Natural Way in all actions and development of things. Without forcing or rushing against the natural order of things to avoid false development and mistakes.
“Keep the head cool and the heart warm.”
A BEAUTY, NEARLY CHEKHOVIAN
“Only definite thought makes definite speech.”
GET IT? Do you? I hope you do.
“The eyes to the balcony rail gives the natural position to the head.”
That’s such a twentieth century direction, but hey, there is some truth to it…
“Give in to your instincts. Instinct must rule in performance, not judgment.”
Again, you need to be spontaneous not a calculating asshole…
“The ideal state of mind of the student is the desire to acquire continuously.”
One must be a student for a life time…
“One might legitimately have a feeling of satisfaction that they have done the best they can, but never at satisfaction with their work. However, the wise student will not waste time on either feeling but will concentrate only on improving the weak places.”
READ IT AGAIN…NOW READ IT A SECOND TIME!!!!
“Truly great work comes only from great natures.”
CULTIVATE YOURSELVES, CULTIVATE YOUR AESTHETICS.
“There’s no crime in making mistakes. At this stage of the ; game you must make them. Your business is to note and rectify them.”
THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO LEARN, FAIL AND THEN FAIL AGAIN…
“It is a fatal thing to utterly yield yourself to your director. It is equally fatal not to yield at all.”
FIND THE BALANCE
FIND THE POLARITY
ITS NEVER ONE THING…GET IT?
THATS IT FOR NOW…
MAYBE I WILL SEND MORE YOUR WAY IF YOU READ THESE.
IF SO LET ME KNOW BELOW AND I WILL CONTINUE WITH A SECOND PART
LOVE AND PEACE
KF
