What is the Meisner Technique? 

By Webmaster

  • What is the Meisner Technique?

    “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

    (By Tonya Tannenbaum)

    (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels)

    The Meisner Technique is the revolutionary approach to acting that was first introduced by American actor and teacher, Sanford Meisner. In time, his unique set of training exercises became widely accepted and highly influential.


    RELATED: What is Method Acting?


    Meisner’s development of the technique took place during a period in his career where he was growing more and more disenchanted with the popular acting techniques of his day. Meisner, a former member of Group Theatre, broke away from the teachings of pioneers like Lee Strasberg, and techniques like Affective Memory.

    Unlike Affective Memory, which teaches the actor to look inward to draw inspiration from their own life experiences, Meisner wanted a technique that emphasized spontaneity. He wanted actors to look outwardly, by placing their focus on the other actors in the scene.



    (Sanford Meisner)

    “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”


    By drawing inspiration from the work of Konstantin Stanislavski, Meisner created a whole new approach to the craft. It came to be known as the Meisner Technique.

    Known for its repetition exercises, the Meisner Technique takes actors through progressively more complex work. Early on, actors focus not on the text of a script, but on reacting and responding to each other with spontaneity. Because, for Meisner, the words were less significant than the emotion behind the words.

    Later, as actors continue with the work, it becomes more complex. Once actors have learned to untether themselves from the words, dramatic text is introduced.

    Though Sanford Meisner died several decades ago, in 1997, his technique continues to be taught to actors around the world. It has influenced major actors, including Christoph Waltz, Tom Cruise and Jeff Goldblum.


    You Might Also Like:
    5 Basic Facts About Sanford Meisner


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting What’s the main difference? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Erik Mclean/ Unsplash) The same habits you picked up as a theatre actor may cause you a lot of pain,…

    What is Improv?

    What is Improv? Is improv good for acting? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improv is short for improvisation or improvisational theatre. It is a type of theatrical performance that is unscripted….

    Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference?

    QUESTION: Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Bruno Massao | Pexels) QUESTION: What is the difference between a demo reel and a showreel? ANSWER: A demo reel…

    What is a Survival Job? 

    What is a Survival Job? What are some typical survival jobs? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Elevate | Pexels) For actors, a survival job is a job that, quite literally, helps you to survive….

  • Ad

  • What are Beats? 

    What are Beats? Recognizing the important shifts in the story to deliver a more powerful performance (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) A beat is a slight shift in the thought,…

    What is Pilot Season? 

    What is Pilot Season? A few notes about pilots and pilot season… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A television pilot, also referred to as simply a “pilot”, is a test…

    What is an Avail? 

    What is an Avail? Explaining this important, non-binding agreement (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) You (or your rep) submitted your materials in response to a breakdown. You secured an audition….

  • Ad

  • What is a Casting Director? 

    What is a Casting Director?  The essence of their job is in having an “eye for talent”  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Emmy E | Pexels) A casting director is just that. They are…

    ACTING TECHNIQUE | What is a Button? 

    ACTING TECHNIQUE What is a Button? Putting the finishing touch on a scene  (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anastasiya Gepp | Pexels) You may have heard the expression, “Put a button on it!”, in…

    What is an Audition? 

    What is an Audition? What is the purpose of an audition? (By Jim Webb) An audition is a brief acting performance by an actor or actress in hopes of landing a role in…

    What is Global Rule One? 

    What is Global Rule One?  Breaking down one of SAG-AFTRA’s founding principles  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) Global Rule One (GR1) is a rule within the guidelines of SAG-AFTRA that declares that an actor who…

    What is an Audition Reader? 

    What is an Audition Reader?  Who, in an audition, plays the other characters in the scene? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Vanilla Bear Films | Unsplash) An audition reader is the person in an…

  • Ad

  • What is SAG-AFTRA? 

    What is SAG-AFTRA?  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union that represents actors, particularly in the areas of film and television. Additionally, the union represents other…

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?  Defining your character’s given circumstances  (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Who are you? What do you want in life and why do you want…

    What is a Talent Agent?

    What is a Talent Agent? Everything you need to know about talent agents (By Staff) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A talent agent is a person who helps actors, models, musicians and other…

  • Ad

  • What is a Guest Star Role? 

    What is a Guest Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) A guest star is a character on a television show who…

    What is a Commercial Conflict? 

    What is a Commercial Conflict?  What happens when an actor is sought by a competing brand? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: KoolShooters | Pexels) What happens when an actor performs in a commercial for one advertiser,…

    What is a Co-Star Role?

    What is a Co-Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rene Ranisch/Unsplash) A co-star role is a small role created to help advance the story,…

    What is a Book-Out? 

    What is a Book-Out?  Communicating your unavailability with your agent…  (by Tonya Tannenbaum) A book-out is a notice that an actor sends to their talent rep(s), alerting the rep that the actor will…

    ACTOR STORY | My First Zoom Callback 

    ACTOR STORY My First Zoom Callback  Let me tell you how it all went down…  (The Anonymous Actor) (Photo: CoWomen | Unsplash) I just had my first virtual callback audition! Let me tell…

  • Ad