Stanislavski Method Acting

Stanislavski Method Acting

To identify the objective clearly, the actor breaks down a scene into "beats" or "bits," short sections that end with each change of objective. In a basic example, if a character pours a cup of coffee, answers the phone, and then runs screaming out of the house, the scene has at least three separate beats. At the bare minimum, his objective changes from pouring coffee, to answering the phone, to getting out of the apartment. Beats are not determined on action alone, however, and may be based on a change of argument or emotion.

Obstacles are defined as things preventing a character from achieving his objective. In the scene listed above, if as the character was running out the door, he spilled coffee all down his front, it would be an obstacle to his objective of getting out of Obstacles are dealt with one of three ways, either the character gives up his objective because of it, finds a way to go around it, or plunges along regardless. Which method the character chooses to deal with obstacles gives great insight into the character, and defining clearly how and why a character chooses a particular response is the basis for much of the Stanislavski method.

Objectives