(Josh Gabbatiss’s article appeared in the Independent, 3/12.)
‘I got the idea that maybe acting was a bit similar to possession… when you’re acting you’re kind of being taken over by character,’ says scientist
To truly inhabit a role, actors must effectively turn off part of their brain, according to a new study based on brain scans of thespians.
In a series of experiments, actors were placed in MRI machines and asked to respond to questions as if they were Romeo or Juliet during the “balcony scene” from William Shakespeare’s play.
Scientists were surprised to see that as the participants mused on concepts ranging from romance to religion, their brains were truly taken over by those of the famous star-crossed lovers,
They watched as brain activity dropped off, with a notable deactivation in a part of the frontal lobe.
This result suggested the portrayal of a fictional character goes far deeper than simply learning a script.
Photo: The Independent
