What is the Magic If?
By placing themselves in their character’s situation, the actor gains a better understanding of the given circumstances facing the character
(by Tonya Tannenbaum)
(Photo: Jonathan Crews/Unsplash)
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Every actor who performs a role is portraying a character who is not exactly like themselves, unless the role is autobiographical in nature. When preparing the role, the actor must find ways to understand and relate to their character. Otherwise, it is impossible to accurately portray them.
One technique, created by Konstantin Stanislavski, takes an important step toward solving this problem.
This technique is called the “Magic If”; sometimes referred to as “As If”. The Magic If calls upon the actor to relate to their character by asking a basic question or series of questions centered around the question word, “if”.
By placing themselves in their character’s situation, the actor gains a better understanding of the given circumstances facing the character.
For example, while analyzing various moments in the script, the actor can ask:
• What would I do if I were in this situation?
• How would I respond if he said that to me?
• How would I behave if I found myself facing these problems?
• How would my life change if this traumatic event happened to me?
• What thoughts would go through my mind if I saw that happen to someone I loved? How would I feel inside?
“When I give a genuine answer to the “if”, then I do something, I am living my own personal life. At moments like that there is no character. Only me.”
(Konstantin Stanislavski)
By placing themselves in their character’s situation, the actor gains a better understanding of the given circumstances facing the character. And by analyzing how he or she would respond if they, themselves, faced those circumstances, the actor can take more truthful actions when performing the role.
More Examples of The Magic If
Here are some examples of how “The Magic If” can be applied in acting:
- A Tragic Scene
- If you are playing a character who has just lost a loved one, you might ask yourself:
“What if I had just received a phone call telling me someone I love has passed away?” - This helps you connect emotionally to the character’s grief.
- If you are playing a character who has just lost a loved one, you might ask yourself:
- A Dangerous Situation
- If you are playing a soldier in battle, you might ask:
“What if I were in a war zone, hearing bullets fly past me?” - This can help you physically and mentally react as if you were actually in danger.
- If you are playing a soldier in battle, you might ask:
- A Romantic Moment
- If you are playing someone falling in love, you might ask:
“What if I had just met the most amazing person and felt an instant connection?” - This can help bring natural excitement and warmth to your performance.
- If you are playing someone falling in love, you might ask:
- A Betrayal Scene
- If your character has been betrayed by a close friend, you could ask:
“What if my best friend lied to me about something important?” - This can help bring out genuine feelings of hurt, anger, or disappointment.
- If your character has been betrayed by a close friend, you could ask:
- A Comedy Scene
- If you are playing a clumsy waiter spilling drinks everywhere, you might ask:
“What if I suddenly lost control of my hands while serving customers?” - This helps you bring physical humor and spontaneity into the scene.
- If you are playing a clumsy waiter spilling drinks everywhere, you might ask:
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