Professor David Peimer
Method Acting: Brando, James Dean, et al
Summary
Method acting, pioneered by Konstantin Stanislavsk (1863–1938), involves systematic analysis and exploration of acting techniques. Stanislavsky’s books like “An Actor Prepares” elevated acting to a trained and learned art. Focusing on Marlon Brando and James Dean, this lecture discusses method acting’s origins, key figures, and enduring relevance. In America, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and Uta Hagen played crucial roles in developing and spreading method acting. Through film clips, the aim is to illustrate method acting’s profound impact on acting.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing in New York, UK, Berlin, EU Parliament (Brussels), Athens, Budapest, Zululand and more. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published widely with books including: Armed Response: Plays from South Africa, the digital book, Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.
I don’t think they required them to go for psychoanalysis, but I think what Strasberg and the others incorporated was some aspects. of psychology and psychoanalysis in this because it’s all about inner life, the inner psychology of the character. When it’s pushed too far is when the technique of emotional memory brings up things.