ACTIN’ METHODOLOGY

Arkatov contends that the root of everyone’s method seem to be the continuing influence of one man--Stanislavsky.

Stanislavsky died in 1938, but his “system” or “method” continues to be misused as often as it is used. But I do not wish to inject my own opinion to correct some of the misconceptions on the teachings in the Stanislavsky method. I prefer to let Stanislavsky himself answer:

“Our Method suits us, because we are Russian, yet the method that we used in 1898 has been changed a thousand times. Actors must learn to think and feel for themselves and find new forms. They must never be content to copy what someone else has done.”

That seems to me the quintessence in Stanislavsky’ heritage, and not a method or a system that is being copied rightly or wrongly by some of the teachers Arkatov mentions.

LEON ASKIN

Beverly Hills