Deep Acting Techniques: A Deeper Process View — LS&CO Studios

If the job is to bring the writing to life through emotional labor, we must apply our own lives. If we are to play humans, we have to first be humans.

If the job is to bring the writing to life, we must apply our own lives. If we are to play humans, we have to first be humans. To do this, we must delve into everything, especially the aspects we conceal, the ones we feel ashamed of, and the topics society has labeled taboo or unacceptable. We need to discuss the issues we are conditioned not to talk about, so that we can consciously narrate the story of life and humanity.

If we are to develop effective techniques to sustainably act within this depth in a healthy way, then we must reflect on what truly occupies our thoughts, triggers our emotions, and influences our behaviors and decisions, thereby hindering us from reaching the deepest truth. If we can’t be truthful and acknowledge the reality of things, our performance will lack authenticity. The audience, regardless of whether they have acknowledged these truths or not, will not connect with the work. As humans, we understand the truth. As actors, we must unveil it.

However, this is not a walk in the park, despite how effortless the best actors make it appear. Engaging in emotional labor, actors employ both deep and surface acting strategies to authentically portray their characters. Through emotion regulation, they manage and alter their emotions to suit the role they are playing, using emotional labor strategies that involve deep acting to genuinely experience the emotions of their character, and surface acting to outwardly display emotions without necessarily feeling them. This process not only affects their performance but also their emotional well-being. In our perspective, this doesn’t imply doing or achieving more things. Our work is based on the belief that each moment is an opportunity for transformation - the courage to delve deeper into a more comprehensive exploration and acknowledgment of ourselves and the multitude of complexities that drive our human behavior. All this can occur in an instant. The work is about acknowledging those aspects of ourselves we conceal most from the world. The work is understanding that nothing is ever resolved, that at this stage at the deepest level we cannot alter our realities, only our perception of them. Actors utilize their facial and bodily expressions for emotional expression, conveying the emotions of their characters and influencing their performance. The exploration at this studio becomes deeply personal, delving into various emotional states to enhance their understanding of the characters they portray.

As professionals, we’ve learnt that the industry responds when we say things like “as Actor’s we are looking deeper…” when we talk about our approach. We feel it’s important to draw the line that this is easier said than done. Easier for some regarding certain parts of their humanity, for example but not others. With this in mind, actors approaching this studio should truly want to contemplate and explore things unknown to them. Actors must choose to do this because they are devoted to deep and moving storytelling, and not take the exploration personally.

It is our experience that this process best serves actors who believe that it will enrich their instrument, give them process and structure as a means to self-awareness as an artist. We understand that this is not the way that every studio operates and this work is not for every actor. Our focus remains on the creation of artistry, not celebrity. We offer a means to develop the artist via technique, process, and self-awareness. This dedication and commitment to our craft is what keeps us determined and focused on our journey as actors.