<P> Many actors routinely equate his system with the American Method, although the latter's exclusively psychological techniques contrast sharply with the multivariant, holistic and psychophysical approach of the' system,' which explores character and action both from the' inside out' and the' outside in' and treats the actor's mind and body as parts of a continuum . In response to his characterisation work on Argan in Molière's The Imaginary Invalid in 1913, Stanislavski concluded that "a character is sometimes formed psychologically, i.e. from the inner image of the role, but at other times it is discovered through purely external exploration ." In fact Stanislavsky found that many of his students who were "method acting" were having many mental problems, and instead encouraged his students to shake off the character after rehearsing . </P> <P> Throughout his career, Stanislavski subjected his acting and direction to a rigorous process of artistic self - analysis and reflection . His system of acting developed out of his persistent efforts to remove the blocks that he encountered in his performances, beginning with a major crisis in 1906 . </P> <P> Having worked as an amateur actor and director until the age of 33, in 1898 Stanislavski co-founded with Vladimir Nemirovich - Danchenko the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) and began his professional career . The two of them were resolved to institute a revolution in the staging practices of the time . Benedetti offers a vivid portrait of the poor quality of mainstream theatrical practice in Russia before the MAT: </P> <P> The script meant less than nothing . Sometimes the cast did not even bother to learn their lines . Leading actors would simply plant themselves downstage centre, by the prompter's box, wait to be fed the lines then deliver them straight at the audience in a ringing voice, giving a fine display of passion and "temperament ." Everyone, in fact, spoke their lines out front . Direct communication with the other actors was minimal . Furniture was so arranged as to allow the actors to face front . </P>

Who is stanislavski and what is method acting