What is it about Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and other great actors that allows
them to create a character so vividly and realistically? Why don’t they look as if they are acting?
One thing they all have in common is that they A . What is that? It is a way of creating the
emotional conditions B . An actor playing a prisoner may live in prison to experience the
reality. One playing a homeless person may live on the street. In this article we look at the
history of method acting and the people who made it happen.
The name “method acting” came from the Actors Studio and Group Theatre in New York in
1940s and 1950s. Many people who became household names were taught there by Lee
Strasberg. He was not only a great teacher but he C . Marilyn Monroe, one of his favourite
students, left him seventy-five percent of her estate, something that still earns his family millions
of dollars each year. Strasberg, though D .
Konstantin Stanislavsky was using a similar idea in Russia in the 1890s. Indeed, there was one
person who E . Stella Adler worked with Strasberg and taught both Marlon Brando and
Robert De Niro. She had also studied under Stanislavsky. Unfortunately, her disagreements with
Strasberg eventually led up to the Group Theatre breaking up.
Their disagreement was over the correct way to teach method acting. This is one of the main
problems with this technique. There is more than one version of it. All of them, however, have
one thing in common which is F , in some way, with the character they are playing. The
differences in opinion were mainly over whether the actors should use their own experiences to
try to understand the character or whether they should approach the character with a completely
open mind.
Lee Strasberg was able to use his techniques for himself in the film Godfather II. The film was a
personal success as Strasberg G . One of his students, Al Pacino, also won one for his part
in the same film. Strasberg died in 1982, but his ideas live on in the performances of some of
Hollywood’s greatest stars.
1. provided a link between the two teachers
2. was also very popular with his students
3. use a technique known as method acting
4. was nominated for an Oscar for this role
5. that was an astonishing success
6. was not the first person to use such techniques
7. that the actors have to try to identify
8. that a character would experience in real life

1. The first thing to understand is that Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and other great actors have the ability to create a character so vividly and realistically because they employ a technique called method acting. Method acting is a way of creating the emotional conditions that a character would experience in real life.

2. This technique involves immersing oneself in the character's world. For example, if an actor is playing a prisoner, they may live in a prison to experience the reality and emotions of being incarcerated. Similarly, if an actor is playing a homeless person, they may spend time living on the street to understand the hardships and challenges faced by the character. By living in these conditions, the actors are able to tap into the genuine emotions and behaviors of their characters.

3. The term "method acting" originated from the Actors Studio and Group Theatre in New York during the 1940s and 1950s. Lee Strasberg, a renowned acting teacher, taught many actors who later became household names. His teaching style and techniques were highly influential in developing method acting as we know it today.

4. Lee Strasberg was not only a great teacher but also very popular with his students. In fact, one of his favorite students, Marilyn Monroe, left him seventy-five percent of her estate in her will. This testament to his teaching abilities speaks volumes about the impact he had on his students' careers.

5. However, it is worth mentioning that method acting was not a new concept introduced solely by Lee Strasberg. Konstantin Stanislavsky, a Russian actor and director, had been using similar ideas as early as the 1890s. Stella Adler, who worked with Strasberg and taught actors like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, had also studied under Stanislavsky. This shows that method acting is a technique with a long history and has evolved through the contributions of various individuals.

6. One of the main challenges with method acting is that there is more than one version of it. Different teachers and practitioners have their own interpretations and approaches to teaching this technique. The disagreements and differences in opinion between Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler led to the eventual breakup of the Group Theatre, highlighting the ongoing debates about the correct way to teach method acting.

7. Despite these differences, all versions of method acting have one common goal: for the actors to somehow identify with the character they are playing. This can be achieved through using their own personal experiences to understand and connect with the character or by approaching the character with a completely open mind, allowing themselves to be shaped by the character's experiences.

8. Lee Strasberg's mastery of method acting can be seen in his own performance in the film "Godfather II," where he was able to apply his own techniques to create a memorable and successful role. His performance in the film earned him a nomination for an Oscar. Furthermore, one of his students, Al Pacino, also won an Oscar for his role in the same film, showcasing the impact and influence of Strasberg's teaching.

In conclusion, the great actors like Paul Newman, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro are able to create characters so vividly and realistically because they employ method acting techniques. Method acting involves immersing oneself in the emotional conditions and experiences of the character. Lee Strasberg, along with other influential teachers like Konstantin Stanislavsky and Stella Adler, played a significant role in developing and popularizing method acting. Despite differences in teaching approaches, all versions of method acting emphasize the need for actors to somehow identify with the characters they play. Lee Strasberg's success as both a teacher and actor, as seen in his performance in "Godfather II," demonstrates the effectiveness and enduring legacy of method acting.