A new script I am writing involves a girl in juvenile hall. This brought to mind the question of if I should actually go see a center or if my base knowledge and own creativity on the subject could suffice. In the end, I decided that it would benefit me the most if I actually went to see a place and got a little bit familiar with it. Although this type of research may seem like a perfectly normal idea to someone reading this blog, it’s an idea that had never occurred to me to do before.

As someone who is not a method actor, I had always imagined that research was something only method actors do. “Go live as the character,” or, “really BE the character.” This just didn’t ever make much sense to me because acting in my eyes is all about acting, not actually literally “being”. But to each his own of course. Regardless, this type of research always seemed like a very “method actor” type thing to do. So I had never done it.

Now, as a non-method actor in this situation, I finally understand that research is not strictly method. I also understand the importance of it. Without research you won’t be able to understand the characters that you play, that you write about, that you direct. Of course, follow your own type of acting style that you do, and take my advice or leave it. I just believe that the only way to truly understand what you are doing is to do the necessary research to accompany it.

Overall, its important to remember that research isn’t only for strict method actors. There are a million things that can be looked into with regards to acting, characters, and especially writing. My advice to you would be to not rule out any one specific thing. It may benefit you in the future!