What is the technique of using personal memories to relate to a character's emotions called?

The technique of using personal memories to connect with a character's emotions is best described as emotional memory. This approach allows an actor to draw upon their own experiences, feelings, and memories to create a more authentic and relatable performance. By accessing these personal emotions, an actor can evoke genuine responses that resonate with the character’s situation, thus enriching the portrayal.

While emotional recall is closely related, emotional memory specifically emphasizes the use of the actor's own memories to inform their emotional state, making it a vital tool in methods such as Stanislavski's system. Method acting, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of techniques, including emotional memory, but is not limited to just this aspect of character development. Character analysis refers to the study and breakdown of a character's traits and motivations, which does not directly involve the personal emotional connection that emotional memory entails.