Can anyone help me? I am considering using her method? Before I buy her books, sign up for classes, I was wondering what the method was. I would do a search but my thingy isn't working. Can anyone explain briefly?
Is it a form of Strasberg? Or method? Does it use memory? ObjectiveS? etc.

Here's the cliffsnotes version of American Method (which Stella Adler's techniques are a branch of)

I'm sure you're familiar with Method Acting. Method Acting comes from Stanislavski. There are now three main versions of American Method, Strasberg, Adler, and Meisner.

Strasberg was an advocate of what's called emotional/affective memory. This is using past emotions to generate current emotions. Some famous people who studied this version of Method were/are James Dean, Marilynn Monroe, Al Pacino, Paul Newman.

Stella Adler (Stanislavski disciple who studied alongside Strasberg) went to Russia to study with Stanislavski, himself. Stanislavski was originally an advocate of emotional memory, but he realized that it was flawed. Over time, a memory can change. For example a memory that was once traumatic as a kid is now a silly memory. Stella went back to the U.S. and said Strasberg was wrong and formed her branch of American Method. Her version focuses more on imagination. Robert DeNiro and Marlon Brando were from this school.

Sanford Meisner (another Stanislavski disciple along Strassberg and Adler) also thought the emotional memory was junk so he formed his own version of American Method. His version focuses more on instincts and reacting to the moment. He defined acting as "living in imaginary cirumstances." Some people who use Meisner are/were Gregory Peck, Robert Duvall, Steven McQueen, Jon Voight, Jeff Goldblum, just to name a few.

Here's some good books to check out:
-A Dream of Passion-Lee Strasberg
-Art of Acting-Stella Adler
-Sanford Meisner on Acting-Sanford Meisner

In addition to their books, here are some other good books to check out:
For a good book about all three of the Methods:
-The Unconscious Actor- Darryl Hickman

Additional reading on Meisner:
-Actor's Art and Craft-William Esper

Additional reading on Strasberg:
-Strasberg's Method-Lorraine Hull

Read about ALL of the forms of American Method and audit some classes. And then filter out what works and doesn't work for you.

I think Stella Adler's method is the most user friendly of the three main branches. Her an Meisner go well together. Obviously not her and Strasberg or Meisner and Strasberg.

Eldorado,
thanks so much. I just got the art of acting (happened to be going into a bookstore). I like it so far.

Hello, I posted a reply to this thread here on the other topic of the same subject:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=840105&f=34...=470103081#470103081

There is no need to post the same questions on many different threads. Thanks, Jason

I just had a class at Margie Haber Studios with Saxon Trainor, a Stella Adler Disciple. I am so blown away! I've read Stella's book, but never really applied her teachings until now. It's just so amazing how using your imagination can make such a difference when cold reading or doing a scene in general!

quote:

Originally posted by ELDORADO59:
I just had a class at Margie Haber Studios with Saxon Trainor, a Stella Adler Disciple. I am so blown away! I've read Stella's book, but never really applied her teaching until now. It's just so amazing how using your imagination can make such a difference when cold reading or doing a scene in general!

Now you are getting my passion for it!!!

I've always been a Meisner enthusiast with Adler in a close second. Based on only one class, I am so damn impressed that Adler might soon become my favorite branch of American method!

quote:

Originally posted by ELDORADO59:
I've always been a Meisner enthusiast with Adler in a close second. Based on only one class, I am so damn impressed that Adler might soon become my favorite branch of American method!

You have learned much, Young Skywalker...