What is Method Acting in Film?

Have you ever watched a film that clearly had an actor who was so deeply involved in their part. That it was almost as if they were living it? These life-altering performances are so incredibly realistic that it’s hard to imagine the actor having NOT lived a similar experience or lifestyle. What you’ve witnessed is method acting. And it’s one of many techniques used throughout the filmmaking process. But what is method acting in film?

What is Method Acting?

Method acting is the technique describing an actor that has been so deeply inspired to act the part that they fully inhabits the role of the character.

This technique is incredibly emotion-oriented. And basically results in the actors performing in an incredible theatrical manner. With a deep connection to the original character’s story.

And a stark contrast to the traditional, classical acting methods. The method acting technique comes as a result of a Russian actor by the name of Konstantin Stanislavski from the 1900s.

While he certainly didn’t call it method acting, his idea for the technique was to help actors build believable characters. By encouraging them to actively draw from personal experience in order to connect emotionally with the characters. 

How Does Method Acting Work?

Method acting in film basically involves the actor taking a realism based approach to preparing for the part. The idea is that actors will live the character that they are playing.

Both on-screen, and off-screen. So as to deliver the most realistic and dramatic performances when they are acting.

Lee Strasberg

The technique was further developed over time by Lee Strasberg who actually coined the term “method acting”. Under the theory that actors should live in character, fully embodying the character. Until they have completed the production of the film.

In this way, method acting means that the actor will often go through great lengths to “get in the skin” of the character. Walking a day in their shoes — or several months, actually.

They’ll obsess over being “like” the character, often losing weight, adhering to special diets, or adjusting sleep habits in order to “fit the part.” 

Incredible Performances, Dangerous Results

While method acting in film has certainly garnered some incredible results. These results are not always without concern for the actors that have played the parts.

Over the years, actors have gone through great lengths to “play the part”. And some have experienced dangerous results as a side-effect of their acting roles.

In fact, Dustin Hoffman once worked so hard for Marathon Man that he once deprived himself of two days of sleep to play a part on set. He was so exhausted and in horrible shape that his fellow actor offered him some advice, “Why not try acting? It’s much easier!”

While the method acting technique can certainly provide some excellent results. The lengths at which some actors have been willing to go. In order to achieve these once in a lifetime performances have certainly been. Considerably dangerous. 

Method acting can be confusing to understand. But we think the folks at Organic Acting have a great explanation that you can enjoy in video: