What's Method Acting? Method acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances. YouTube URL: http://youtu.be/YeOGSQ8rx1c This documentary show cases the concepts of Method Acting with examples from South Indian Movie star Mammootty, 3 time National Award Winner along with Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Hassan. There are 6 sections for this documentary. Section 1 - Focuses on Vocal variations and body language Section 2 - Ease at which Mammootty oscillates between Arts and Commercial Cinema Section 3 - Handling a tragic scene in different ways for different characters (A Writer, A Fisherman, A Schizophrenic and a Village man). Section 4 - 1980s - The Beginning... Section 5 - Movies from other Languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi) Section 6 - National Award Winning performances..

1. Method Acting
Mammootty a Method Actor, an Analysis………………………
This documentary show cases the concepts of Method
Acting with examples from roles played by South Indian
Movie star Mammootty.
Prepared, Analyzed and Compiled by Araf Karsh Hamid

2. What‟s Acting
 Vocal
 Vocal Projection
 Dialects & Accents
 Voice Modulation
 Clarity of Speech
 Physical
Body Language
Emotional facility
Physical expressivity
Ability to interpret drama
A well developed imagination

3. Origin of Method Acting
 Konstantin Stanislavski system is a progression of techniques
used to train actors to draw believable emotions to their
performances.
 In America Method Acting came through iterations of
Konstantin Stanislavski system by Lee Strasberg.
 Lee Strasberg developed and popularized this
(Stanislavski‟s) system in America along with Stella Adler
and others in 1940s and 50s.
 Method acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of
techniques used by actors to create in themselves the
thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop
lifelike performances.

4. Konstantin Stanislavski
 A Russian Actor / Director (1863 – 1938)
 His historic meeting with Vladimir Nemirovich Danchenko resulted in Moscow Art
Theatre.
 His System is a systematic approach to acting. Areas of study include concentration,
voice, physical skills, emotion memory, observation and dramatic analysis.
 System focused on the development of artistic truth onstage by teaching actors to
“Experience the part” during performance.
 Key Concepts: Preparation, Motivation, Truth
 P: Thorough Analysis of Script and the role
 M: Magic (What) If – Analyzing the situation and thinking how to react.
 M: Objective or Through Line – The Past, Present and Future of the Character
 T: Immersed in the scene, Experience what the character feels and not pretending.
 T: Illusion of the first time – You should feel that it‟s the first time you are enacting or
experiencing the scene.

5. Lee Strasberg
 An American Actor, Director and Acting Teacher
 In 1951 became the director of Actors Studio, New York
City, The most prestigious Acting school
 Father of Method Acting in America
 Two key techniques
 Improvisation
 Affective Memory
 These techniques helps the actor to express the appropriate
emotions demanded of the character.

6. Lee Strasberg‟s Students
Marlon
Brando
Robert
Di Niro
Al
Pacino
Dustin
Hoffman
Jack
Nicholson
Paul
Newman
Marilyn
Monroe
Jane
Fonda

7. Some great movies by the
students of Lee Strasberg
Marlon
Brando Al Pacino
Dustin
Hoffman
Jack
Nicholson

8. Daniel Day-Lewis
Only Actor who won 3 Best Actor (Leading Role) Academy (Oscar) Award
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Day-Lewis
2012 2007 1989

9. LeonardoDiCaprio
ChristianBale
HeathLedger
JohnnyDepp
JoaquinPhoenix
Great Method Actors - Current Era

10. Popular Method Actors from India
* If I missed anyone‟s name please add that in the comments.
Mammootty Kamal Hassan Vikram Aamir Khan Surya

11. Mammootty, A Method Actor
 An Actor from Southern (Kerala) part of India
 3 time National Award Winner for Best Actor
 6 Kerala State Awards and 11 Filmfare & Critics
Awards
 Let us go through the various roles he played and see
the variations in
 Vocal Projection, Dialect, Accent, Voice Modulation
 Body Language
 Physical Expressivity

12. Are we comparing?
 No, we are not comparing Mammootty with great actors of
Hollywood.
 We are analyzing whether he can stand along with the
great actors of the world or did he went beyond them!
 Watch the next section (movie clippings), look for voice
modulation, dialects, accents, body language, and judge
yourself.

13. How do you Analyze?
 Section 1
 Focuses on Vocal variations and body language.
 Section 2
 Handling commercial and art films at ease.
 Section 3
 Similar emotional tragedy: 4 characters 4 different reactions.
 Section 4
 1980s – The beginning
 Section 5
 Other Language Movies (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada & English)
 Section 6
 Mind blowing performances – National Award Winners.
Movies Selected
2000s – 20
1990s – 10
1980s – 16
Others - 08

14. Let us start the Journey…
Mammootty, The Method Actor

15. Section 1
Checkout
 Vocal Projection
 Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
These are all multi dimensional
characters. Along with the Body
Language, the most striking aspects
in these movies are the voice
modulation, projection, accent and
dialects.

16. Section 1 - Analysis
The real life character Dr. Ambedkar
(Baroda, India) a Columbia University
(US) graduate.
Pazhassi Raja (1774-1805), Prince of a
small Southern City (Kerala, India)
revolted against British.
Now compare the English dialects
between these two characters. The
former is polished while the latter has
learned English just so that he can
communicate with British directly.
Other aspects to watch out for:
• Voice Modulation
• Body Language
• Emotional facility
• Physical expressivity

17. All these three movie
characters are pure fiction.
• A Gangster
• Mentally Challenged
• Religious Business man
However the most striking
aspects in these three movies
are
• Vocal Projection
• Voice Modulation
• Body Language
• Accent & Dialects
• Emotional facility
• Physical expressivity
Section 1
Analysis

18. For any aspiring actors the following 5
roles will be worth watching again and
again.
1. A Gypsy (Karuthapakshikal)
2. A Fisherman (Amaram)
3. A Movie Actor (Kathaparayumbol)
4. A Hunter (Mrigaya)
5. An Illiterate Rich Person
(Rajamanickam)
Checkout the subtle performance as a
Movie Actor in the guest role in
Kathaparayumbol. That climax made
the movie awesome.
Watch out for the following
• Voice Modulation
• Accent and dialects
• Body Language
Section1-Analysis

19. Section2
Checkout
 Vocal Projection, Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
An Actor who could transition from an
Art film to Commercial film at ease.
From subtle to power packed
performances.
Even after having power packed performances
in Palerimanickyam, Loud Speaker and
Pazhassi Raja (released in 2009) still Lost
National Award to Amitabh Bachchan for Paa.

20. Section 2
Analysis
Three roles are as different as
chalk and cheese
1. A Cruel Feudal Lord
2. A Simple Writer
3. Misunderstood Folk story
Villain
What you see here is the
contrast of different characters
and their body language,
mannerisms, personality etc.
Method Actors makes the
characters memorable. They
make the characters „Alive‟ on
the screen.

21. Section2-Analysis
Role
1. A Innocent Villager (Loud
Speaker)
2. High Ranking Govt Officer
(The King)
3. Rich Business Man
4. A Mariner (Kutty Srank)
5. School Teacher with a
passion for Acting (Best
Actor)
The ease at which Mammootty
switches between Art and
commercial films.
The role as a mariner (in Kutty
Srank) is much more challenging
as he plays three different
characters with with different
behavior patterns for the same
role.

22. Section 2 -
Analysis
Characters
1. A Villager (Kaazhcha)
2. Good Feudal Lord (Prajapathi)
3. An Economist (Ore Kadal)
4. A Police Officer (Roudram)
Checkout the Body Language, Mannerisms, and
dialogue delivery (voice modulation).
The collapse of the Economist due to guilt is extra
ordinary. At the same time it will be interesting to
compare the body language of the Assertive Feudal
Lord and the Innocent Villager (Kaazhcha).
This section ends with a 10 minutes dialogue from
Roudram movie a commercial pot boiler. However its
interesting to note change in emotions from sadness
to anger, to threat. A good example for voice
modulation.

23. Section 3
Checkout
 Vocal Projection
 Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
Movie Role
Padheyam A Writer
Amaram Fisherman
Bhoothakannadi Schizophrenic
Palunku A Villager
Similar tragedy (loosing daughter) but 4
different ways of reaction based on character’s
background and environment.

24. Section 3 - Analysis
These four movies shows a classic example of the
Stanislavski system.
 Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role
 Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending.
 Illusion of the first time – You should feel that
it‟s the first time you are enacting or
experiencing the scene.
Movie Role
Padheyam A Writer
Amaram Fisherman
Bhoothakannadi Schizophrenic
Palunku A Villager
Similar tragedy (loosing daughter) but 4 different ways of reaction based
on character’s background and environment.

25. Section 4
1980s – The Beginning
Checkout
 Vocal Projection, Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
Popular Sequels from 80s
1. Sethuramaiyer CBI (5 movies)
2. Inspector Balram (3 movies)
3. Anti Hero - Tharadas (2 movies)
4. Inspector Perumal (2 movies)
Sequels from 1990s
1. Joseph Alex, IAS Collector (2 movies)

26. Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is
portrayed in a completely different ways.
 Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role
 Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending.
 Illusion of the first time – You should feel that it‟s
the first time you are enacting or experiencing the
scene.
Movie Sequels Role
Yavanika A Police Officer
Avanazhi 2 A Police Officer – Inspector Balram
August 1 1 A Police Officer – Inspector Perumal
Jagratha 4 A Police Officer – Sethuramaiyer (CBI)
All these movies are crime thrillers and the protagonist is the investigating
police officer. Even though the role is a Police officer, Mammootty made sure
that each character is distinctive in nature. This resulted in the character
becoming memorable and created more movies of the same character.

27. Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is
portrayed in a completely different ways.
 Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role
 Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending.
 Illusion of the first time – You should feel that
it‟s the first time you are enacting or
experiencing the scene.
Movie Role
New Delhi Journalist / Media Baron
Utharam Journalist
Koodevide Army Officer
Yathra Common man, wrongly convicted, on his way back home

28. Section 4 - Analysis
Mammootty made sure that each of these character is
portrayed in a completely different ways.
 Thorough Analysis of the Script and the Role
 Immersed in the scene, Experience what the
character feels and not pretending.
 Illusion of the first time – You should feel that
it‟s the first time you are enacting or
experiencing the scene.
Movie Sequel Role
1921 Freedom Fighter
Athirathra
m
1 Gangster - Tharadas
Sangam Carefree Rich Businessman
Gangster character was such a hit a sequel got released after couple of
decades. Last in this list was a trend setter (for a Heroic care free rich
business man) resulted in lot actors donning similar roles for the next
two decades in Malayalam movies.

29. Section 5
Checkout
 Vocal Projection
 Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
Performances in other
Languages
Language # Total
Tamil 15
Hindi 05
Telugu 03
Kannada 01
English 01
TOTAL 25

30. Section 6
Checkout
 Vocal Projection
 Voice Modulation
 Accent & Dialects
 Body Language
 Emotional facility
 Physical expressivity
 Ability to interpret drama
Mind blowing
performances in
National Award Winners
Movie Role
Dr. Ambedkar Dr. Ambedkar
Vidheyan Cruel Feudal Lord
Ponthan Mada Slave
Mathilukal Writer
Oru Vadakkan Warrior

31. Mohanlal
 Malayalam movie industry is blessed with two great actors in
Mammootty and Mohanlal.
 Mohanlal has won 2 Best Actor National Awards (Bharatham &
Vanaprastham) and a special Jury Award for Kireedom.
 In Mohanlal‟s on words, Comparing him with Mammootty is not right
as they are two different species when it comes to Acting. Both have two
different approaches to acting.
 However, he emphasize the point that the Voice modulation is not part
of his acting, which Mammootty is a master and it shows in the variety
of characters Mammootty has played over a period of 3 decades.
 As final touch let us look at the last set of movie clips to understand
voice modulation, accent and dialects in Malayalam language itself.

32. Awards
03 National Awards
05 State Awards
11 Filmfare Awards
11 Critics Awards
Twice Lost National Awards
Mammootty
Age: 61
Movies: 375+
Languages: 6

33. References
• Konstantin Stanislavsky : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislavsky
• System: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislavski%27s_system
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khcCvAe8wtg
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpEGXrDSXo8&feature=fvwp
• Lee Strasberg : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Strasberg
• Method Acting : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting
• Mammootty Web Site : http://mammootty.com/
• Marlon Brando : Redefined Acting
• Jack Nicholson :
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson
• What I have learned: Jack Nicholson
• Daniel Day Lewis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Day-Lewis
• Academy (Oscar) Awards for Best Actor
• Best Method Actors : http://www.imdb.com/list/Ns20nd1Thqw/

34. Watch the Video – Mammootty, The Method Actor
Version YouTube URL
1 http://youtu.be/YeOGSQ8rx1c
2 http://youtu.be/lu185UPEuY8
3 http://youtu.be/qYTA0QsiYp0