The NATIV Approach

In the three stage theory of mind there are three thinkers in the head: The 'monkey' or 'Chimp', the 'human' and the 'computer'. (www.amazon.co.uk/the+chimp+paradox)
An example of this is seen in the act of driving. The 'computer' is driving, the 'monkey' is upset and agitated by news on the radio and wants to lash out and scream the 'human' takes control of the monkey and calms it down by explaining what will happen if it does so and offers alternative actions. The computer records the event and drives the car onwards with out a pause. This is, simply put, the latest understanding of brain function in 2012.

The human part of the brain is apparently a small strip of cells that sits between the Chimp brain and the emotional centers. It has been observed that psychopaths have a reduced number of cells in this area. Thus reducing the ability to control the Chimp mind. Functional psychopaths, such as a few very successful political and business leaders also display this syndrome. Their lack of empathy and lack of restraining conscience, found in the majority of us, enables them to out do others. Often they are said to have single mindedness. It is terrifying a thought that among our leaders these mutations of the mind have enormous power, with it seems little empathy or feeling for humanity. It explains a lot about the horror of our world perhaps.

The 'art' actor is not this state of mind. The 'art' actor must have empathy. Must have humanity. Must have the 'milk of human kindness' that Lady Macbeth rejects. We can not play humanity unless we understand it. BUT we also need to enter the other world. The world of the insane. As Lady Macbeth speaks her incantation to 'de humanize' herself and "stop up the access and passage to remorse". So the actor has to enter the wild Chimp mind. Can this be done and is it safe? If we understand the way the mind works and develop a process yes it is safe. It is Grotowski with understanding of the process. One such development in this area of behaviorism is NLP. This is a modern form of Stanislavski's 'given circumstance'. Enhanced and instant as he intended. Over the years I have adapted 'given circumstance' 'objective acting' and visualization mixed with aspects of 21st century behavioral concepts such as NLP and developed NATIV (1993) That is 'Natural Actors Training through Interactive visualization'. It is a posh title for updating the behaviorist assumptions made by Stanislavski, Growstowski, and Anton Chekov et al. They did not have the benefit of the modern science of the mind or a body of cognitive therapy to look to. Theirs was a shot in the dark. What we have today is access to greater or more precise tools to enhance our art.