Scene4 Magazine | letters to the editor

In defining what constitutes a good performance, Martin Challis proposes that almost all of us who teach would agree upon the words "believable, moving, engaging and convincing." The question that is not as often asked is "why?" So many of the conflicting acting techniques that are taught today throughout the world have their basis in the notion of the actor preparing through the long process of theater rehearsal. Unfortunately, that time-honored means of discovery is rarely utilized in the making of films and television --the major means of employment for so many actors these days. It seems to me that what we all need to work on is a newer more practical method of training adapted to the needs of today's young actors. How useful then is the entire notion of Emotional Preparation, however it is taught from the Method to Meisner, to someone on a movie set or location?
Norman B. Schwartz