What Technique Does Meryl Streep Use to Get Into Character?
Meryl Streep, regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, is celebrated for her ability to seamlessly transform into a wide array of characters. Over the course of her five-decade career, she has portrayed everything from a troubled mother in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) to a British prime minister in The Iron Lady (2011). Yet what remains most impressive about her work is not just her versatility, but the depth with which she inhabits each role. It is often said that Streep doesn’t act; she becomes the characters she portrays. But what is the technique behind this incredible ability? What methods does Meryl Streep use to get into character, and how does she prepare herself to deliver such extraordinary performances?
In this article, we will explore the techniques that Meryl Streep employs to get into character. From her extensive research process to her deep understanding of emotional truths, Streep’s approach to acting is an intricate blend of preparation, observation, and empathy. Through interviews and her own reflections on her craft, we will discover how she transforms herself and brings her characters to life in such a remarkable and believable way.
The Importance of Research
One of the most vital components of Meryl Streep’s acting technique is her commitment to research. Streep has often spoken about how much she believes in the necessity of thorough preparation before stepping into a role. Her belief is that understanding a character’s world—whether it’s their historical context, psychological state, or external influences—is paramount in crafting a truly authentic performance.
Streep’s approach to research is meticulous. For her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (2011), she didn’t just study the former British prime minister’s speeches and interviews; she immersed herself in Thatcher’s world. She watched hours of footage, read biographies, and even sought out personal accounts of those who worked with the controversial figure. “I don’t like to imitate people,” Streep explained. “I want to understand them. I want to feel what it was like to be them, and the research helps with that. But the most important part is knowing what drives them emotionally.”
For the role of Sophie Zawistowski in Sophie’s Choice (1982), Streep spent time with survivors of the Holocaust and read extensively about the horrors they had endured. The film required her to not only understand the historical events but also to connect with the deep trauma suffered by her character. In preparation, Streep dedicated herself to reading firsthand accounts of the atrocities, listening to survivors, and learning about the psychological toll of war. She said, “I was trying to be in her body and feel what it must have felt like to be Sophie. It was a very painful, very intense experience, but it was the only way to do it.”
This dedication to research allows Streep to build a rich, layered understanding of the character. She does not rely on stereotypes or superficial traits but instead dives deep into the motivations, histories, and emotional landscapes of the people she portrays.
The Use of Physical Transformation
Meryl Streep is known for her ability to transform her physicality to suit each role. One of the defining features of her acting is the way she alters her body language, voice, and mannerisms to fit the character she’s playing. This technique is essential to her ability to fully embody her roles, as it allows her to change not only the way she sounds but also the way she moves through the world.
For instance, in her portrayal of the legendary British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, Streep underwent a significant physical transformation. She adopted Thatcher’s distinctive voice and body language, using her posture, facial expressions, and gestures to capture Thatcher’s presence. In interviews, Streep has said that the key to achieving this transformation was understanding how Thatcher carried herself in different situations. “The body is a vehicle for the emotions,” Streep said. “I try to think about how a person moves, how their body fits into the world.”
The physicality of a character is also critical when it comes to emotions. For Streep, her character’s physical presence can convey much more than words alone. In her role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Streep’s commanding posture and sharp, almost imperceptible gestures reflected the cold, calculated nature of her character. She used her body to reinforce Miranda’s power and control, contrasting with the more vulnerable moments in the film when the character’s mask cracks.
Streep also works hard on mastering accents and vocal inflections to match the unique sound of the character. In Out of Africa (1985), she adopted a Danish accent to play the role of Karen Blixen, a Danish author and aristocrat. Streep’s ability to capture the subtleties of an accent is not just about mimicry, but about conveying the inner life of the character through her voice. “When I’m working on an accent, I try to find the emotional pitch of it,” she explained. “The sound and the rhythm of a person’s speech can reveal so much about who they are and how they experience the world.”
Emotional Preparation and Empathy
Meryl Streep’s ability to connect with her characters on an emotional level is one of the most striking aspects of her acting. She has an incredible capacity for empathy, which allows her to understand and portray a wide range of human experiences. This emotional resonance is often the key to her powerful performances.
Before taking on a role, Streep often spends time contemplating the emotional journey of the character. She asks herself questions like: What does this character want? What is their greatest fear? How do they change over the course of the story? By understanding the emotional landscape of the character, Streep is able to convey a performance that feels real, complex, and deeply human.
In an interview about her role in The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Streep explained how she prepared for the emotionally charged scenes between her character, Francesca, and the traveling photographer, played by Clint Eastwood. “I try to get to the emotional core of the story,” she said. “In Bridges, it was about a woman who has to make an impossible choice between love and duty. I tried to feel what it must be like to be her—her yearning, her guilt, her overwhelming desire to experience something different from the life she’s led.”
Streep’s ability to connect emotionally with her characters is also apparent in her work in Sophie’s Choice, where her portrayal of a Holocaust survivor was both heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. “There are some things in life that you can never comprehend unless you feel them deeply,” she explained. “You can’t play those emotions unless you’ve experienced them within yourself.”
The Collaboration Process
Streep’s acting technique isn’t just about research and emotional preparation—it’s also about collaboration. She deeply values the relationships she builds with her directors, fellow actors, and crew members. She believes that acting is not a solitary endeavor, but a collective one, where the actor’s work is intertwined with the efforts of everyone involved in the production.
One of the key aspects of Streep’s collaborative process is her ability to listen and react authentically to her co-stars. In a film like The Devil Wears Prada, for example, Streep’s performance as the imperious Miranda Priestly is shaped by her interactions with Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy. The chemistry between the two is palpable, and it was forged in part by Streep’s ability to listen to Hathaway and respond to her reactions. “It’s a constant exchange between actors,” Streep said. “The most important thing is to listen and respond honestly to what the other actor is giving you.”
Her collaborative spirit extends to her directors as well. Streep has worked with some of the most renowned filmmakers in the industry, from Robert Altman (The Player, 1992) to Stephen Frears (The Queen, 2006). She often talks about how she values the input of her directors and the way they guide her through the character’s journey. “Directors are there to help you find the truth in the character,” Streep said. “It’s about finding the rhythm of the scene, the emotional beats, and being open to their perspective.”
Conclusion: A Multi-Layered Approach to Acting
Meryl Streep’s technique for getting into character is a multifaceted process that blends research, physical transformation, emotional preparation, and collaboration. She works tirelessly to understand the psychology and emotional depth of her characters, committing herself to a detailed and authentic portrayal of each role. Her physical transformations, attention to accents, and mastery of body language allow her to step into the shoes of someone entirely different, while her empathy and emotional preparation ensure that her characters feel real and deeply human.
What sets Meryl Streep apart from many other actors is her unrelenting pursuit of truth in her performances. She does not rely on shortcuts or easy answers; instead, she immerses herself completely in the character, bringing out every nuance and layer with incredible precision. Her methodical approach to acting, coupled with her boundless talent, makes her one of the most respected and admired actresses in the world.
As Streep herself has said, “The job of an actor is to make the audience believe. That’s the magic of it.” For Meryl Streep, the magic comes not just from her natural ability, but from the technique and dedication that she brings to every role she plays. Through her preparation, physicality, and emotional depth, she has set a standard for what it means to truly get into character.
Acting Magazine Newsletters
Never miss out on the best from Acting Magazine.