Stanislavski Flashcards
DOB, DOD, age
born 1863, died 1938, aged 75
family
richest family in Russia
what was he? (3)
Actor, theatre direction and practitioner
first person to…
develop and write down a practical system of acting
life goal
to find the answers to how an actor can truthfully create a character and find inspiration for every performance
how is he revolutionary
revolutionised our ideas about acting, his discoveries form the basis of acting training in the Western theatre
what did he sought
real life in the Theatre, not ordinary but artistic
what did he find and when
founded the MOSCOW ARTS THEATRE in 1898
moscow arts theatre background
historic 18 hour meeting with VLADIMIR DANCHENKO (critic and playwright) - become known as the house of Chekov
Famous work with him
co-directed ‘The Seagull’ by Chekov.
Opinon on Chekhov’s work
important influence on his thinking, helped him pave the way for ‘The System’ - his method
opinion on Chekhov’s play
one of the greatest events in the history of Russian theatre
Stanislavski’s most famous books
An actor prepares, building a character, creating a role, my life in art - biography
The system / Key principals 1
As if, magic if:
ask: ‘what would I do if I was put in this situation (given circumstances)’ - put them in character’s shoes
‘a level, lifting us from the place of reality into the world of imagination’
The system / Key principals 2
Given circumstances: facts and events that happen in the play (time / setting can affect how the character thinks and behaves) who am I (Age, background) where am I when is it? what do I want why do I want it how do I get it
The system / Key principals 3
Tempo - Rhythm
helps tune into different patterns of PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
change in given circumstances = change in tempo-rhythm
change in mood = change in tempo - rhythm
outward behaviour may contradict the way a character FEELS or desires internally
The system / Key principals 4
units of action
breaking down the text within each scene = more manageable
The system / Key principals 5
Every unit, there is a creative objective - “what do I want” “what do I need to get what i want”
The system / Key principals 6
emotional rememory
draw upon own personal experiences and transfers them into the life of the play
store up emotional memories, ready to be used
not reduced their own feelings but shape feelings near to those of the charactter
no one has a sufficient material for all roles so observe other people closely
