Is Method Acting Destroying the Actor?

Is method acting a miracle worker of success or is it bringing the life of actor's down?  

Method Acting is an acting technique used by many actors to create a realistic character out of imaginary circumstances. It takes the actor from performing to actually BEING character by encouraging the actor to rely on their personal memories and past experiences to build a character and their life around them.

Originally known as 'The System' it was developed by Constantin Stanislavski in the late 1890's out of the Moscow Art Theatre. And continued throughout the twentieth century with the foundation of the Group Theatre and the Actor's Studio in New York.

However..... three actors in the group, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg couldn't agree on how to teach this new method of acting technique and soon parted ways, branching off to form their own methods. Using their own interpretation of how this acting technique should be taught.

It was from here that Strasberg adopted the term 'The Method'.

Some of the most popular actors have adopted the Method, including Scarlette Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Paul Newman and Robert DeNiro. 

Questions, tho, are now being raised as to how healthy this method is for the actor's psyche as it's far too possible to distance one's true self from their developed public persona. 

As with most things, this issue is still in debate with the weight laying more heavily on the side of success. After all, with so many big names in the industry using the method, why not follow suit? 

Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to train well in it.  As always, the New York Acting School for Film and Television is always here to provide answers, training, classes and coaching for both the seasoned and aspiring actor. Get in touch today!