Stanislavski's System

Question 1

What are the steps in Stanislavski’s System?

Answer 1

1. Action
2. The Magic ‘If’
3. The Given Circumstance
4. The Imagination
5. Circles of Attention
6. Units and Objectives
7. Super-objective and Through-line of Action
8. Emotion Memory/Emotional Recall
9. Tempo-rhythm in Movement

Question 2

What does the step of Action entail?

Answer 2

• action is concerned with meaningful and purposeful activity on stage
• includes concentrated stillness or inner intensity
• always act with a purpose, a ‘why’

Question 3

What does the step of the Magic ‘If’ entail?

Answer 3

• opens up possibilities for the actor of creating a whole new life for the character and stimulating new emotions

Question 4

What does the step of the Given Circumstance entail?

Answer 4

• these are the basis for an actor and their role
• created by the playwright, director & designer

Question 5

What are some examples of given circumstance?

Answer 5

• story of the play
• facts, events, time and place of action
• conditions of life
• actor’s and director’s interpretation
• the production, sets, costumes, props
• lighting and sound effects

Question 6

What does the step of the Imagination entail?

Answer 6

• actor must believe in the given circumstances using the imaginations
• suspend the disbelief and function ad a high degree of involvement

Question 7

What does the step of Circles of Attention entail?

Answer 7

• leads the actor to relax and focus on stage (also known as ‘solitude in public’)
• slowly, like ripples in a pond, it radiates outwards until it embraces the entire stage

Question 8

What does the step of Units and Objectives entail?

Answer 8

• units of action are dominated and controlled by the objectives within them
• a unit ends with the end of the objective
• guides for an actor on their journey

Question 9

What does the step of Super-objective and Through-line of action entail?

Answer 9

• what is the overarching objective in the play?
• ‘through-line’ = the main current that galvanises all the small units and objectives

Question 10

What does the step of Emotion Memory/Memory Recall entail?

Answer 10

• emotional memory brings back feelings you have already experienced
• this can be triggered by a sound, smell or touch
• Stanislavski’s actors were encouraged to create a reservoir of memory/stored experiences from which to draw and on which to build, to help create a character

Question 11

What does the step of Tempo-Rhythm in Movement entail?

Answer 11

• each character has their own rhythm/tempo according to their circumstances and personality
• the inner rhythm may differ from the outer rhythm that conforms to the tempo of the overall scene as influenced by the other characters

Question 12

How does rhythm work?

Answer 12

• wherever there is life. there is action => wherever there is action, there is movement => wherever there is movement, there is tempo => where there is tempo, there is rhythm

Question 13

What does the step of the Method of Physical Action entail?

Answer 13

• emphasis on a physical expression as a way of training
• emphasis on improvisation as a way of unlocking aspects of both the text and the role