pths of his mind." (Cole, 26) When an actor's emotions are awakened by the combined efforts of his relaxation, concentration, imagination, Magic If, and knowledge of circumstances, then his entire mind, body, and heart is engaged in his craft. This is superior acting.Stanislavski did indeed create a practical manual for actors. However, many of his followers emphasized certain aspects of his technique over others. Michael Chekhov was one of Stanislavski's most devoted and talented students. (Chekhov, Lessons for the Professional Actor, Introduction p.12) They were not in agreement much of the time, however. Chekhov felt Stanislavski did not emphasize the imagination to a great enough degree. He believed in a more intuitive, abstract form of character development than did his teacher.Chekhov began to speak of "atmospheres" and "qualities" when teaching his own classes. APPENDIX ACHEKHOVS EXERSISES FOR CONCENTRATION AND IMAGINATIONExercises for Concentration:1. Study the wallpaper pattern so that you can describe or reproduce it accurately.III. Listen to a sound.IV. Do an arithmetic problem mentally.V. Select and follow a single sound out of a confusion of noise.VI. Do several activities in succession: look at the pictures in a magazine, listen to music, dance, do arithmetic problems. Then turn rapidly from one activity to the next, making sure that the transference of attention each time is complete and genuine.VII. Note, in a few seconds, as many details as possible of someones clothes. VIII. Concentrate on an idea or problem. Five or six people ask questions which must be answered without having the attention waver from this idea.IX. Master the contents of a book while others talk, laugh, and try to break up the conversation.X. Concentrate on a tune in your head while other music is being played.Exercises for Imagination:1. Look for resemblances between objects and people;between people and animals.2. Concretize musi...
