Richard Boleslavsky Acting the First Six Lessons February

Richard Boleslavsky Acting: the First Six Lessons (February 4, 1889 – January 17, 1937) Presented By: Evelyn Forsyth, Megan Rodriguez, Mimi Rife, and Ana Schuler

Life of Boleslavsky Megan �Polish actor and director �Member of the Moscow Art Theatre and director of it’s first studio �Moved to NY 1920’s- first teacher of the Stanislavski system �Later directed Broadway plays & Hollywood films in the 1930 -40’s

The First Lesson: Concentration Ana �Actor's concentration: The human soul. �First Period: The Searching �Second Period: The constructive �The five senses are the key to creation �Three parts of education �Body �Culture and intellectual concepts �Training of the soul

Exercise #1 all �Education of the body �Gymnastics: Stretching and Roll Down �Dancing: Interpretive �Breathing Exercises: Sizzling 3 times on “S” and “Z”, Filling up lungs �Voice: Counting �Diction: To Sit in Solemn Silence on a Dull Dark Dock, New York

The Second Lesson: Memory of Emotion Ana �Unconscious Reactions �Example: Cucumber story �“To imitate is wrong. To create is right. ” � Use of personal experiences �Abstract connections �Murderer – bug killing

Exercise #2 Megan �Pick a partner; A and B �A: Recall a short story to them in full detail �A: Retell story with less detail �A: Finally try to recreate the emotions without words. �Do the same steps with partner B

The Third Lesson: Dramatic Action Evelyn Leaves: Presentation of idea Branches: Elements of the idea (coming from actor) Trunk: Idea, Reason (coming from director)

Exercise #3 Mimi � Pick a Partner; A and B � “One must choose his or her actions in accordance with the character of the part that opposes them. ” � Three situations: � Two teenage friends � A: college student, B: Senior citizen � A: Skater, B: Valedictorian A: So, you’ve finally made it to the fishbowl? B: The what? A: That’s what we call the box office. Its an inside joke. B: Oh. I guess. Mr. Boston said he wanted you to train me. A: Then let the training begin. People come up. They say what movie they want. You press this button. Take their money. Give them their ticket. There, you’re trained. � B: Now what? � A: Now sit down and wait. No one’s coming tonight. It’s Christmas Eve and all our movies suck. � � �

The Fourth Lesson: Characterization Megan �Pathological hypnotism: Unbelievable acting �Too complete sincerity �Create a unique life and soul �Physical & emotional personality: �Real life examples �Previous acting roles �Author’s mind process �Romeo & Juliet example

Exercise #4 Evelyn �Analyze the pictures below for: �Artist Motives �Time period �Character situation �Create a new posture based on these character choices

The Fifth Lesson: Observation �Observation in relation to acting �Unusual things in everyday life �Builds memory and memory capacity �Develop sensory and muscle memory �Enriches inner life �Fully appreciate different personalities Mimi

Exercise #5 Evelyn �Get into pairs; assign A & B �Both will observe the video and take note of specific actions/gestures �B will pantomime the clip for A �A will point out any missed steps. �Switch; repeat steps for next clip. �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Amnhm. HHOz. Kc �http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=K 9 k. Vsn. TQh-g

The Sixth Lesson: Rhythm Mimi �Levels of Rhythm: �Consciousness �Emotions result of other’s feelings �Create your own rhythm (take into account other’s rhythm) �Building Rhythm �Absorb sounds of nature �Listen to music with entirety

Exercise #6 Ana �Lie down on the floor �Close your eyes and concentrate on the music played �Discuss the different types of rhythms presented in the music

Conclusion: CEACOR � C: concentration � E: emotions � A: action � C: characterization � O: observation � R: rhythm