The Method, or method acting, is a long-standing technique that, in its emergence during the late 1940s and 50s, revolutionized the acting world. Today, method acting is still taught and practiced all across the world including in some of the best acting schools London, UK has to offer.

Rather than merely displaying emotions, method actors are trained to internalize emotional experiences and then utilize them in performance. Of course, there are many approaches to the Method—some being more extreme than others. Yet, it is the technique advocated by Lee Strasberg that provides the framework for most successful, modern actors.

Regarded by many as the most difficult system of acting to master, the Method incorporates a series of exercises based around the use of memory, concentration and focus, as well as visualization and manifestation of the character. As acting is a physical, vocal, emotional and mental skill, many acting schools have been established with goals of delivering the most comprehensive and reliable techniques to their students. All over the world, students and teachers of the craft are pursuing the one sure-fire system of acting that is key to delivering truthful, moving performance: method acting, arguably the one technique whose trained actors consistently deliver such performances. Becoming competent in the Method acting process requires a great number of steps, exercises, and processes.

Upon delving into the life of their character, actors must learn to bridge the gap between their life and the life of their character; this process often introduces a new set of emotional parallels, which are the actor’s greatest tools in performance. Physicality, too, is just as crucial as internalizing emotion and honing it to fit the character. The external aspect of the Method deals with how an actor presents himself or herself as the character. Alterations and adjustments in vocal tone, intonation, and pitch are worthy of noting, as well as how a character stands, walks and gestures. One common pitfall of many developing actors is to remain too closely connected with their own way of moving. Some of the most striking performances are by an actor who completely departs from his or her own physicality and becomes the character. Competent acting instructors are able to assist students with these complex processes involved with learning the skills involved with the Method.

Unfortunately, many acting schools get caught up in diversifying their curriculum and are surrendering to the democratic, portfolio approach when they ought to be nurturing their students to push the boundaries of their craft. Method acting encourages actors to fuse their own emotional experiences with that of the character, thus bringing a truthful display of emotions to the stage or screen. Creative involvement with the character is also intrinsic to method acting; learning the balance between these techniques is something many actors struggle to grasp. However, having a supportive and dedicated acting school located in a prime location is an excellent place to begin.

There are countless acting schools London, UK offers; however, many of these institutions spread themselves too thin. There is only one London school that exclusively teaches the Method as developed by Lee Strasberg, and only one that advocates such a logical approach to acting. Those desiring to become professional actors should thoroughly research London acting schools and find an institution that fosters the development and aspirations of method actors.