Acting is a very subtle science. Talent is given to units, and it can only be shown on the stage (and to the viewer). If an artist plays in real time, and not in front of the camera, if at that moment the viewer is holding his breath, he cannot tear himself away from the performance, which means there is a spark, there is talent. Between themselves, the actors call it somewhat differently - the stage image. This is part of the artist’s personality, his theatrical embodiment, but this is not the character of a person and not his lifestyle.
Interpretation of the term
Even from the name itself it is clear that the stage image is a certain role that the artist “puts on” himself in order to play this or that role. It must exactly correspond to the character described in the script, and at the same time be “alive”. Further, it becomes clear to us that each individual role that the actor plays is individual. Somewhere you need to play comically, in another performance you will need to show sadness, pain, suffering, in the third - to become a scoundrel, a villain. You might think that there are a lot of stage images, and their second, more understandable name is roles. But it’s not so simple. A good actor can be recognized by his "handwriting", that is, the style of performance. This is the very stage image that is inherent in him. Whatever role the actor plays - dramatic, comic or tragic, she will be endowed with unique emotions, traits and features that a particular person shows. That is why we love specific artists so much, no matter how diverse their roles are.
The subtleties of craft
Actors are people who wear a lot of masks, and this statement was not invented at all in order to offend them. Alas, these are the subtleties of the profession, and it is thanks to them that we see such an amazing game. But we will go a little from afar. A scene is a system that takes away a lot of energy, both physical and moral. Working with the public, the artist literally gives himself away, spends all his life potential. If he is, as they say, on stage by himself, then all his life stocks will be exhausted instantly, and he simply does not have the strength left. In order to continue to create, play and work, you should carefully consider how to create a stage image that you can put on yourself every time you go on stage. This is the so-called public mask, it is also the style and handwriting by which the actor is recognized. A second mask will already be superimposed on top of it - a role in a specific performance.
Psychology and acting
Before creating a stage image for a specific production, the actor must have his own role. We have already mentioned that it is part of the real image of a person, but not his integral essence. Psychologists work with many actors so that their stage image is as harmonious and suitable for themselves as possible. In short, we can say that for its creation, it is as if the strengths of a person’s character, his features and highlights are selected, and they exaggerate, intensify, become more vivid. As a result, we get, as it were, an ideal person who has his own character, his own tastes and views - everything is individual, but there are no dark sides, no errors. This is the stage image of the actor, based on which, he tries on himself all his roles that he needs to play on stage.
Emotions are the basis of success.
The basis and foundation for creating a stage image of an actor are his own emotions. If your role is far-fetched, unnatural for you, or if you try to “drive” it into a fashionable framework, then all subsequent roles will be played fresh, unnatural, simulated. It is extremely important to draw strength from emotions in such work, to take a start in your own nature. So you will succeed in demonstrating, without deceit, the audience of a character, enter it, convey its emotions and experiences. He will come to life through such a game and become a separate person.
Comfort does not mean naturalness
Of course, your stage image should be completely woven from your personal emotions and experiences, from experience and best practices. But we have already said above that it should not have the negative and negative traits that are inherent in you in real life. And this is the very first stumbling block that robs you of a sense of comfort. You do not have the right to show your flaws: it is important to keep the brand, to be who you are for the public, and not really. The same applies to all movements, postures, facial expressions, intonations, etc. These moments are carefully worked out, rehearsed, honed to automaticity, but keep in mind that when playing on stage or communicating with the public, you will be in constant tension, as all these developments will need to be maintained without question.
You can compare this technique with posing in front of the camera. To make the frame extremely successful and at the same time natural, the model freezes in a very uncomfortable position. For example, the famous pin-up photographs, where women do their homework, becoming seductive poses. But in reality in this situation, cleaning will not work.
For specific roles
After you have learned to behave, speak, move in accordance with the task, you can proceed to rehearsal for a specific role. In order to make it natural and lively, the same rules apply that we described above. The only correction: you need to combine your personal stage image with the character that you intend to embody. In other words, the role described in the script is an empty vessel that you fill with your emotions, your facial expressions, your appearance. If you do not have a personal permanent image for working on the stage, then no role played by you will become lively and real. You can cry or laugh on behalf of the hero, dance, rejoice or rage. But all this will be in vain: there is no content. This is the very concept of role, the concept of a character. He comes to life only under the guidance of the artist, only from his personal experience and from his personal character.
Work with the troupe
We will not say nonsense from the category of "good actor with any role to handle." This is not so, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. And the thing is that even the most talented, most gifted artist has his own special image, his own voice, his individual appearance, age, in the end, and these factors either allow you to play a specific role, or they are forbidden. A good screenwriter always sees an actor in a specific role. He can compare the stage image of the artist and the role that he will need to be “put on”. Additional correction of this process is performed by the actors themselves. They either agree on the role if they see that they are suitable for them, or refuse if something does not suit them.
The components of the image
If we are talking about the stage image that the actor creates for himself, then there can be no strict restrictions on clothes or makeup. These moments are simply adjusted by the framework of a certain style. But if we are talking about the image that is already obtained as a result of the merger of the actor’s talent and the character that is described in the script, it is important to note several components. These include:
- Behavior and appearance.
- Makeup.
- The stage image of the costume, that is, the attire that is prescribed in the script. There is a small reservation here. If the play is staged according to the play, and the work clearly states what the hero is wearing, it is important to follow this. If there are no such descriptions, the suit is selected in accordance with the character of the character.
- Body dynamics and plastic.
- Gestures.
- Facial Expressions.
- The highlight. Here we have a reservation again. It happens that in the play the character is described freshly, there is nothing special about him. Perhaps this was intended, or the author was not able to give these or those features to a specific hero. In such cases, the very stage image that the actor always carries with him is necessary. It fills the void that is in the hero, makes it more voluminous and multifaceted, memorable and unique.
Conclusion
Creating a stage image is a very delicate matter. That is why we have so few really talented actors, and few are able to play this or that role beautifully, vividly, and with feeling. Carefully think over your image, use it, force it to reveal itself, and then all the roles will turn out to be lively, multifaceted and memorable.