Product Description
We can all name at least one situation—a business presentation, a job interview, a cocktail party, or a first date—in which we feel uncomfortable, nervous, or simply self-conscious. Now, with Acting Techniques for Everyday Life, you can learn how to create a sense of well being and confidence at will, so you can make even your most stressful moments easier and even fun. Author Jane Marla Robbins, a successful stage and screen actress, shares proven techniques that have long worked for professional actors and explains how you can use each one to get through the difficult situations in your own life. Using real-life examples and easy-to-follow exercises, Robbins shows you how to:

•Look and feel self-confident at job interviews and business functions
•Be more charismatic, witty, and fun at parties and other social occasions
•Better cope with difficult or intimidating people
•Perform at your best when speaking in public or in front of a group
•Use breathing and relaxation techniques to put yourself at ease
•Feel strong, relaxed, and happy no matter what you’re doing

Packed with empowering information, tips, and stories about how ordinary people use these techniques successfully in their own lives and how well-known actors have used them in movies, Acting Techniques for Everyday Life is all you need to be more authentically yourself, to let your intelligence, humor, depth, grace, and joy shine through in everything you do. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Love this book!
So many how-to books are full of vague platitudes.This one actually has sensible, easy-to-use tips on dealing with a variety of challenging situations. Very helpful, indeed!

Acting Techniques for Everyday Life
Interesting book.Delivered in a timely manner.Good experience with vendor who sold

Not worth the read..
I bought this hoping to gain a new perspective and what I got was an author who spent too much time talking about herself and her experiences which didn't relate to me at all as a male from the Eastern US.The book also seems to use date references and comparisons that don't ring true for me.It's not a bad book, but not what I expected from the reviews.The previews they show of the book are amongst the very best the book has to offer.I would suggest you keep looking...I am.

Outstanding guidebook for anyone who speaks or sings in public
As an academic physician and professor, I am called upon to give many lectures to lay and medical audiences. The goal in lecturing is always to convey the intensity and drama and importance of the message, without blocks by personal inhibitions. Whether you are a doctor, or an actor, or a singer, or a lawyer,or businessperson,or speak at PTA meetings, Jane Robbins wise suggestions and instructions will enable you to reach your best performance potential.

I finally found what I was looking for
More books should be written on this subject.I bought an acting book and was on the verge of trying to find an image consultant or taking acting classes to learn how to act like I was totally confident and in control of every situation.When I felt insecure or lacked confidence, everyone knew it, I didn't know how to hide it in my facial expressions or body language.This book has really helped.More could be written on everyday life acting techniques, there are many more situations that could be addressed. ... Read more

Product Description
Stella Adler was one of the 20th CenturyÕs greatest figures. She is arguably the most important teacher of acting in American history. Over her long career, both in New York and Hollywood, she offered her vast acting knowledge to generations of actors, including Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, and Robert De Niro. The great voice finally ended in the early Nineties, but her decades of experience and teaching have been brilliantly caught and encapsulated by Howard Kissel in the twenty-two lessons in this book. Hardcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Very practical and absolutely inspiring
Stella Adler puts forth the idea that an actor must have SIZE.That is, to stand in front of the world and speak great words and perform great actions, one must have a mind and presence poised to take on the universal problems presented by great playwrights.An actor must develop a mind worthy of great ideas.

And that's just where the fun begins.From there, an actor must learn to dissect text and create circumstances.An actor must learn to visualize and experience those circumstances in vivid detail.An actor must learn to identify action and disassemble it until every bit of that action is seen and performed by every bit of the actor.

I enjoyed Sanford Meisner on Acting.It presented a series of exercises and examples of students failing at those exercises.At the end of the book, one appreciated Meisner's system and how the practises may help develop strong impulses.Stella's book has exercises too, and it also has short examples of students attempting them.But this is not where the heart of the book is.The heart is in its passionate declaration of what an actor's responsibility is, and how an actor - an artist - perceives the work and seeks to be worthy of it.

Goodbye Dear Lady Thank You
I was a student of Stella Adler's when she taught in Los Angeles in the late seventies. I was very young and she very patient. Her classes taught me of life which in turn has made me a natural actor.

Her lessons have not always served me well in regular life, I can see her laughing at this statement now. She taught me to feel honestly and to be true to myself and therefore I would be true to any character I played.

On a daily basis I ask myself why people are not more honest about what they feel to one another; what a wonderful life it would be if Stella's lessons where given to all that walk the stage which is life.

I will one day look back knowing I really felt life its joys, sorrows, sacrifices and many emotions you taught us to embrace.

Thank you so much Stella and wherever you are I know you got your wings for being the wise woman who gave so much to us with such selflessness.

I carry your words with me on each audition never failing to do my best for I would never let you down, you never did us.

I miss you not being here everyday. Love, Ellie

For those of you not as fortunate as I to know her the book is luckily here for everyone to know Stella.

Excellent !
Stella Adler makes clear why she was and would be one of the best acting teachers of all time. Her passion, philosophy and love for acting and actors remain thanks to this incredible book.

Stella Adler- Rhe Art of Acting
The Adler method is an important contribution to the art and no college studuent majoring in acting should omit it from their must read list.

she is amazing
i got this book to help me in my acting classes. I started reading it and i had a highlighter whith which i was planning to underline all the important stuff. Well i ccould not stop highlighting; every single paragraph in this book is pure genius. I already started developing as an actress more efficiently and faster than i used to, i wish i met her before she died...

the only criticism...she is too abrupt. She is harsh with you. even if she does not kknow you personally, she stil attacks the young actor. this can be rude, but her directions are always right. If u are an actor, you NEED this book. Acting teachers should read it too. I had some horrible teachers in my life ... Read more

Product Description
Actors who want to get inside the script and make it come alive now have a step-by-step guide from a Broadway director and renowned acting teacher. Honed by the author's 35 years of teaching, this advanced book offers different warm-up exercises concentrating on the actor's sense of smell, sound, sight, and touch; sensory tools for conveying the climate and environment of the text; tips for suggesting a character's physical conditions; and much more. Individual exercises will help actors to free the voice and body, create a character, find the action and condition of scenes, and explore the subconscious for effective emotional recall. Readers will also find meticulous guidelines for best using rehearsal time and preparing for in-class scene work. The foreword is written by two-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton. Those who act, direct, or teach will not want to miss the acting lessons that have made T. Schreiber Studio a premier actor training program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Lessons from a true master!
I was a student of Terry's from 1992 to 2000 so this review might be somewhat biased but who cares. This book is a must read for anyone who is seriously interested in taking their acting skills to greater levels. In my own personal experience I can vouch for everything that is taught in this book. I did every exercise mentioned in the book under Terry's personal guidance and I have applied the techniques and methods in many professional circumstances. I have been a profesional actor who has worked on television and film in both New York and Hollywood for close to twenty years now. If followed carefully the exercises in this book will open up the inner life that an actor needs to make characters and scenes come to vivid life. I really can't say enough great things about Terry. I think he is a treasure in the acting/theatre world and I am so grateful that he has written this book because I live in Hollywood now and having the book feels like he is right there with me. Thanks Terry! You are a true master!

From relaxation techniques to sharpening awareness and making characters seem more real
So you have the talent to be an actor, but you need training: turn to Terry Schrieber's Acting: Advanced Techniques For The Actor, Director And Teacher to cover the techniques of his own noted actor training program. Actors are given a 'tool bag' of exercises to help break into character, practice interpreting scenes, and more. From relaxation techniques to sharpening awareness and making characters seem more real, Acting: Advanced Techniques For The Actor, Director And Teacher is packed with solid ideas for improvement.

Impressive
As an actress, in reading this book I was amazed at not only how well the book was written or at the way in which the author communicated his knowledge to the reader, but I was astounded at how honest and open the works embedded in this new book are. I recomend this book to actors, teachers, or anyone interested in learning the truth about acting. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Reference
Good reference book for those wanting to get into acting.Recommended by son's acting coach.

Stella Adler should be in any actor or student actor library
Stella Adler books along with Stanislavsky, Harold Clurman, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen, are a few of the must have's for acting students.There are many more good ones for actors and acting students but you can't go wrong with these.

Psychological Acting
This is a very good book for people who want to dedicate their lives to acting. It goes through basic conditions which people have to create for themselves so acting works for them. The field of acting is so tenuous thatit takes all the concentration a person has, this book gives guidance togaining that concentration. I found it to be a valuable tool when studyingto become an actor. I recommend novices and professionals alike to read andreread this book becuase it sets things in motion, it gets your brain andyour body ready for what you have to confront as an actor. It empahsizesfocus, dilligence and above all to know yourself. I honestly can say thatthis book made a differnce in my approach to acting and I think it willdefinitely affect other readers and benefit their objectives whether it bein theater or film. ... Read more

Product Description
This book, written in collaboration with Dennis Longwell, follows an acting class of eight men and eight women for fifteen months, beginning with the most rudimentary exercises and ending with affecting and polished scenes from contemporary American plays. Throughout these pages Meisner is delight--always empathizing with his students and urging them onward, provoking emotion, laughter, and growing technical mastery from his charges. With an introduction by Sydney Pollack, director of "Out of Africa" and "Tootsie," who worked with Meisner for five years.

"This book should be read by anyone who wants to act or even appreciate what acting involves. Like Meisner's way of teaching, it is the straight goods."--Arthur Miller


"If there is a key to good acting, this one is it, above all others. Actors, young and not so young, will find inspiration and excitement in this book."--Gregory PeckAmazon.com Review
Sanford Meisner has been called "the theater's best-kept secret," and Sanford Meisner on Acting by Dennis Longwell gives some insight into what techniques the hugely influential drama teacher used in his 50-plus years of work. One of the founding members of the Actors Studio (with Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and Harold Clurman), Meisner developed his own special lessons based upon his understandings of the great Russian teacher Stanislavsky. Turning away from the sense-memory exercises common among his colleagues, his training focused instead on a realistic approach to imagination and creativity. Unlike many other educators associated with "the Method," Meisner had little tolerance for self-absorption or striving after strong emotional effect, instead preaching that clarity of purpose and efficient use of the psyche are the actor's greatest tools. Longwell's book follows a class of eight men and eight women through one of Meisner's 15-month courses at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, with extensive transcripts taken directly from Meisner's notes to the students on the basis of their exercises. With an introduction by director Sydney Pollack, one of the many influential artists who studied with Meisner (the book includes accolades from Maureen Stapleton, Arthur Miller, Gregory Peck, and Eli Wallach), this is an excellent introduction that helps to demystify the work of a great theatrical teacher. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Customer Reviews (46)

A Hard Slog
I had anticipated being as excited about this book as I was about Harold Guskin's "How to Stop Acting," but Dennis Longwell's "you are there" approach to capturing Meisner and his technique is almost impenetrable and, worse, reveals an unbearable egotist - preening, dismissive, often cruel to his students. This was baffling considering the gushing comments on the back cover.

I read 2/3 of the book and couldn't finish it.It was too painful.I hope the students Meisner dismissed from class (and humiliated in the process) had enough sense of their own ability to continue acting.

I strongly recommend Guskin's book instead.

It'll get ratty.
Great Book. full of knowledge and insight into the Meisner Technique. Every time you read it you'll learn something new. A Must have for any actor.

The Master
Since so many of us can't take an acting class from Sanford Meisner, this book is a great substitute, taking us along with a class of his. It offers great insights to his technique and the importance of living truthfully in each moment as an actor. It definitely gave me some tools to add to my bag of tricks as an actor. And as a teacher it's a must have! Living truthfully in a moment resonates to the audience, if you don't live truthfully in the moment, you cheat the audience and yourself.

A must read for an serious actor!
To any aspiring actor, this book is a must read. This is the best understanding anyone could hope to gain (obviously short of attending a Meisner training program) of the Meisner technique and Sanford Meisner himself. A true master of the art and craft of acting, Sanford Meisner laid out all the means to become an actor of truth, power, connection and reality. This book gives you the perfect insight to those teachings, the insight of being in a class room setting with Sanford meisner himself that is, and you can't help but to find truth and power in his teachings. If you need just one book to help your craft, this would be it. Highly recommend!

Awesome Acting book!
Loved this book. Great break down of how to do truthful, real acting. Loved the methods and will always keep this book! You actually feel like you're in Mr Meisner's class. Not dissapointment with this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides the expert advice you need to get your big break!

Jump-start your career and land that paying part

From preparing for auditions to finding an agent, the acting business is a challenging and competitive field. This indispensable guide is what every aspiring actor needs to get a foot in the door. Discover how to market yourself, choose a dynamic head shot, create a stellar acting resume, join unions, and pay the bills while you pursue your acting dreams.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Customer Reviews (17)

Good Introduction to Acting and an easy read
I've just finished reading the whole book - as I've just finished my 10th movie as an actor - and I found the book to be a great introduction to the world of Acting.I have found it to be accurate, helpful, and an easy read.I was surprised at how often I would read something in the book - which had been exactly as I'd found it on a set.

This book does *not* teach you how to act.That is not the intent.Rather it teaches you about the business of acting - covering film, theatre, extra work, and even things like money and life management as an actor.

Highly recommended

Breaking Into Acting for Dummies
This book was a huge let down for me.It barely focuses on the theoretical, aesthetic, and technical aspects of acting.This is more of a treatise on the 'profession' in film and theater.I can't see it helping anyone become a better 'actor' by reading it.

However, if you are buying the book for information on acting in show business, I'm sure it hits the nail on the head.

Lifesaver!
This book is incredible. Anything you need to know is in this book. If it doesn't go into detail on a specific subject, it gives you resources to look up to further your search. Funny, interesting, and helpful, this book is completely highlighted-up and is my ultimate resource guide!

Definitely read this if you are dumb and want to be an actor
...just because "it's for dummies."I'm not trying to insult anyone's intelligence.

Anyway, this book is a good resource for someone who is considering a career in acting, or a move to Hollywood, and has no clue.The character in my book, Trott Felipe, could have used a book like this before he made the trek from Iowa to Hollywood in his Astro Van.Unfortunately, he's a fictional character, and this book didn't exist in the version of Hollywood I wrote about.

Breaking Into Acting..
Very informative, well written book. Extremely helpful for the Novice actor, for someone just starting out (Acting classes, extras etc.). Covers everything you need to know to start looking into developing this exciting career. Many topics, easily & clearly set-out. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the Industry, including well established actors, as it could still help with pin-point information and ideas, that may be not known or forgotten over time. Don't give it a second thought about purchasing this book! ... Read more

Product Description

The most authoritive, authentic text of a classic guide to acting

In the four decades since its first publication, Michael Chekhov's To the Actor has become a standard text for students of the theater. But To the Actor is a shortened, heavily modified version of the great director/actor/teacher's original manuscript, and On the Technique of Acting is the first and only book ever to incorporate the complete text of that brilliant manuscript. Scholars and teachers of Chekhov's technique have hailed On the Technique of Acting as the clearest, most accurate presentation of the principles he taught Yul Brynner, Gregory Peck, Marilyn Monroe, Anthony Quinn, Beatrice Straight, and Mala Powers, among others.

This new, definitive edition of Chekhov's masterful work clarifies the principles outlined in To the Actor concerning the pivotal role of the imagination in actors' understanding of themselves and the roles they play. On the Technique of Acting also expands on Chekhov's previously published work with many unique features, including:

• Thirty additional exercises
• A chapter devoted to screen acting
• More thorough explanations of the Psychological Gesture, inner tempo vs. outer tempo, and other key concepts of Chekhov's approach

For actors, directors, and anyone interested in the theater, On teh Technique of Acting is an essential handbook.Amazon.com Review
Michael Chekhov, nephew to the Russian playwright and student of Stanislavski, left Russia and his mentor behind to pursue a career as an actor, director, and teacher in Europe and America. While he was an early advocate of Stanislavski, Chekhov differed from the great teacher in important respects, particularly in his insistence on the use of imagination as opposed to memory in creating a role. (In a famous anecdote, Chekhov once performed a "sense memory" exercise in which he broke down over the tragic death of his aunt. When complimented on the truthfulness of his emotion, he admitted that his "aunt" was entirely imaginary.) One of Chekhov's innovations of technique is the "psychological gesture," in which a repeated external action leads to an internal revelation. Due to his insistence on the importance of the physical rather than the simply intellectual, Chekhov's book is as focused on following its series of exercises as it is in study; acting, he would remind us, is always fundamentally a verb. For actors who feel "hemmed in" by an overinsistence on "feeling" a part or in drawing from their own experiences to feed a role, Chekhov's focus on the primal and limitless nature of imagination is tremendously liberating. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Everyone should read!
This is a great book to help the actor understand the connection between his body and his emotions to feed the characters that he plays.All things an actor needs to know.I think this book is great for new actors but definitely great for an actor who is studying so the teachings can be applied as you read the book.

perfect
i got the book in a timely manner and it was perfect as was promised...thank you!

An outstanding read!
This book is a must for all actors film or stage. It helps one to evaluate your method of acting and helps one to learn using easy step by step methods of each exercise.

The Imaginitive Realm
It would be interesting to read this book alongside Mamet's "True and False." Chekov's passion for creation and exploration through the imagination, set against Mamet's scorn of invention on the part of the actor. Mamet dismisses the idea that character exists and that an actor can "become" the character. Chekov meditated in order to try and commune with the spirit of the character.

Two very different approaches.

In spite of the practical application of Chekov's ideas, there is a childlike hunger here for the imaginitive and mysterious that I feel is critical for any artist. We can appreciate that Chekov defied Stanislavski in search of something of his own, and here is perhaps the most interesting point: Chekov's method was deeply personal. He created his own approaches, and took bold risks in doing so. I most enjoyed the descriptions that his book has of how Chekov would create his own characters.

That any artist could throw themselves into their work with such interest and abandon is thrilling.

Stresses the fantastic and imaginative!
Again my mantra about acting books remains . . .

Reading an acting book must be taken inside the context of personal experience of either production or an acting class.

I value Checkov for the simple reason that, although he often comes across as nebulous and abstract, he stresses the fantastic and imaginative elements of acting.

Escewing working from the emotional inside out Checkov, a veteran of the Moscow Art Theatre, stresses finding the character through imaginative excercises that first engage the external elements of the actor's instrument namely in the creation of fantasy atmospheres and communion with the audience.

Building upon Jung's theories of the Universal Archetype, I find Checkov's bit about the psychological gesture and "living statues"most helpful in teaching, acting and directing.

In a professional world where gut wrenching, self absorbed displays of therepy induced emotion passes for true acting, I find Checkov's teachings most helpful in inspiring the true reasons many find themselves drawn to the stage: the wonder and excitement of telling an imaginative story. ... Read more

Product Description
For over 20 years, Moni Yakim has taught his unique blend of physical training and emotional exploration to a generation of American actors that include Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, and Kevin Kline. Now, for the first time, his acting process is available to every actor and theater professional. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

So this is what they do at Juilliard
I loved reading this book but I failed it.I couldn't get through the first exercise.I can't go around for a whole week emphasizing my biggest physical flaw.I have auditions to ruin with my acting, God forbid my looks.There's got to be a milder version of Moni's Vulnerable Self exercise.Anyone know him and can ask?I'd love to get to the cloud exercise.

Who are you?
Once the voice has done its job, how does the body go on from there?How can we make our characters as real as we can?Every actor asks these questions of themself, but there's one question that Yakim asks about every character--Who are they?Boiled down?In two words, even?This book defines the different types of characters as basic archetypes, or "selves":The Vulnerable Self, The Trusting Self, The Instinctive Self.It then goes on to list ways of developing these Selves from a purely physical standpoint.

I have only used parts of this book in developing some of my characters, and already, I feel more confident about my presence on stage.I believe myself now, and that's the hardest audience to convince. ... Read more

Product Description
Redesigned with a contemporary new cover, this is a comprehensive consideration of all aspects of the actor's art and craft, as told by the theater's greatest practitioners, from ancient Greece to the 20th century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Must Have
Enjoyed learning the history and process behind this great craft of acting and told through the protagonists themselves. It's magic to know this for anyone pursuing a career in acting.

A Decent Book, Must Have Interest in Acting
Although this book is a vast collection of writings, it serves a relatively narrow interest for anyone who does not have a direct interest in the theater.It's been useful to me in that I've read two chapters for my acting class (which was taken simply to fulfill a requirement), and I was able to complete a very well-informed and organized report based on what I read in the book.However, I do not see myself using this book in the future except as perhaps a reference book when I'm asked about one particular famous actor/actress or another.But then, I could also buy the Encyclopaedia Britannica Britannica Encyclopedia (Encyclopaedia) and get a quick reference instead of several pages of things that I will not really care about again in the foreseeable future.Cost, however, prevents me from doing so.

not new
i ordered a new book and got a used book. It was highlighted with markers. Not happy with the that.

A good primer
This book offers a wide variety of information on various acting styles and techniques.It provides the reader with a virtual history of acting.Though there is much information, much of it is not practical.Much of theinformation is in the form of exerpts from other books.There is no way topractically apply the information given in "Actors on Acting"without reading the entire book that the article being read comes from. This is more difficult because many of the actors quoted do not have booksavailable. This book however is an excellent primer.A person begining toexplore the craft of acting can find styles they would like to explore ingreater depth without buying an entire book on that particular style.Irecomend this book for anyone who is begining their study of the craft ofacting. ... Read more

Product Description
Culled from Tony Barr's 40 years' experience as a performer, director and acting teacher in Hollywood, this highly praised handbook provides readers with the practical knowledge they needwhen performing in front of the camera. This updated edition includes plenty of new exercises for honing on-camera skills; additional chapters on imagination and movement; and fresh material on character development, monologues, visual focus, playing comedy and working with directors. Inside tips on the studio system and acting guilds make it particularly helpful for people new to the business, and numerous anecdotes from actors such as Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkinsand examples from current movies illustrate its many lessons. It is perfect for acting classes, workshops, all actors who work in front of the camera -- and all those who want to.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Very informational
This book is wonderful for the beginning actor. It takes you through what to expect and how to better your acting. It also is very helpful for specific areas you need to work on. Such as crying scenes. Tony gives you information and will help you do the perfect crying scene. This is a good buy!

Exceptional
This book is exceptional. I've worked on stage and on film. The first time I saw myself on film, I realize I was still trying to reach the back row of the theater. The trasition to film is described so effortlessly through out this book that It has helped me revisit my own experiences. The stories, the insights and experiences roll off the page. I keep it in my back pack to refer to. To keep it fresh.

Excellent read for beginners!!!
First, I would like to admit that I am not much of a reader...
With that said, I must say that once I picked up this book, I didn't put it down until the last page.Then I flipped back to the first page and read it all over again.I gained a new outlook on the whole science of acting within the first few chapters and the exercises were marvelous!
Mr. Barr did an amazing job of helping me to understand the necessary techniques to be an effective actor.I would definetely recommend this book for beginners trying to figure out exactly what acting is AND for anyone who may need a refresher.

THE book on camera acting... IF you put work into it.
I was fortunate enough to have known a personal friend of Tony Barr, and attended on 3 separate occasions a small private training workshop done by Tony himself. I have to say that what you learn in this will mean nothing unless you put the exercises into practice. He was one of the rare teachers that never really told you what to do but knew how to pose questions that got you thinking in his method. The techniques put into practice can have you prepared for a character by the second reading, which is an invaluable asset in the hasty Hollywood environment. The techniques are based upon how real life works. The simple concept of listening, motivation, and crossing the bridge are invaluable to writers, animators, filmmakers & any profession of understanding interaction.Even though I am giving this book 5 stars, after being there with the author it is light years ahead to put this into practice, or even attend the Film Actors Workshop.

No. 1 hand book for Actors
I recom'nd this book for all young actors & actresses to read. This is really good hand book for these people ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Revolutionary approach!
Daughter's review: Really great take on acting that will transform the way you think of the craft and perform. If you use the exercises properly, you will find you are becoming more complex in your characters and emotions. Highly recommended, but make sure to practice the exercises in front of other people or if not possible, in front of a camera to get the most depth out of the reading. Good luck!

No Acting Please
This is a great book for the Actor or any other person as for that matter.
The book is filled with good philosophy for any individual: performing or just plain living and relating.The exercises are easily understood and very productive.I would recommend this book to any actor or individual that wants to connect with themselves and "be real."

If you need it on time don't use this seller
The book arrived in good condition but we had to pay for shipping twice because it took so long to arrive- several weeks after it was ordered. I would never order from Smokey Mountain books again

Great Book from a Great Coach
After 30 years in acting, I still use this book as one of my bibles.I don't refer to it all that often anymore as I did nothing but refer to it for years and now have the thing memorized.But when I needed something answered with regard to my craft, I could find the answers in the pages of this book.I moved to Los Angeles to study with Eric, which I did for three years.Since moving back home, I've realized that those three years were some of the toughest, growth-producing and marvelous years of my life.I've had many teachers, many coaches, but as a working Seattle actor, I give the majority of my thanks to Eric, his workshops and his writings.

Its perfect
This is one the of the best approached to acting. It makes everything clear.
Also an easy read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A definitive text by a Master
This book is a must for every serious and journeyman actor.Jack Garfein has a history unlike any other teacher of acting and it enriches all that he brings to it.I studied with him at his studio in Paris and it was a life giving experience as is this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Used to teach beginning acting on more campuses than any other text, Acting One covers the basic elements of realistic acting in twenty-eight lessons – all based on experiential exercises. The text covers basic skills such as talking, listening, tactical interplay, physicalizing, building scenes, and making good choices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

awesome deal!
Great price for a great book, thanks for the service I saved $100 on my textbooks! yay!

Beginning Acting
Using this textbook for my beginning acting class over the summer. Not much to read, which is good and bad at the same time. Good perspectives but not enough to want to keep this book after the class is over.

Acting One review
The book is in very good shape and I got it for an incredible price. The only objection is that it took almost two weeks to be delivered. I know i cannot ask more for the price I paid. I only wish there was a way to make the delivery faster.

Great book from an insightful author
I have read through Cohen's "Theatre" and "Acting One" and both are outstanding books on theatre for any actor.It is almost as good as Sidney Lumet's "Making Movies," but without all the funstories about movie stars.This is one book I actually read for fun, andkeep it in my glove compartment when I prepare for auditions.I am glad Iam going to the school where this man teaches.

Useful but overstuffed introductory acting text
The First Six lessons--goal and obstacle, the other, tactics, expectation, and their summary "GOTE" -- are excellent and concise.Unfortuantely, the book covers a great deal more ground than anintroductory class could hope to cover.THe other chapters make goodreading, and a student who decides s/he's serious about pursuing acting asa craft would be well served by owning this text.The casual student wouldbe less well served. ... Read more

Product Description
Acting: Make It Your Business, written by an award-winning, veteran casting director, puts the power to land jobs and thrive in any medium - stage, film, TV, or the Internet - directly into the hands of the actor. This blunt, wise, and often hilarious guide overflows with cutting-edge audition, marketing, and networking strategies, combining traditional techniques with those best suited for the digital age. Well-known actors and powerful agents make cameos throughout, offering newcomers and working professionals alike a clear-eyed, uncensored perspective on survival and advancement within the entertainment industry.

"Humorous and witty . . . Actors everywhere who are trying to succeed in the business, young or old, on stage or on camera, in New York or anywhere in the world, take note: This is your road map."
- Bernard Telsey, casting director (Rent, Sex & The City: The Movie, Wicked)

"All the right questions asked and answered . . . and with a generous portion of good humor."
- Suzanne Ryan, casting director (Law & Order)

"Paul's book made me proud to be a part of the acting community in this business we call 'show.'"
- Karen Ziemba, actress, Tony and Drama Desk Award Winner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

8th Grade Reading
I bought this book based upon the good reviews here, but this "book" is a colossal waste of time and money.The casting director who wrote this jumbled mess writes like a child who will one day have difficulty graduating from high school.And the "advise" he gives never reaches beyond, "it's a good idea to have someone you know introduce you to an agent or casting director because anyone worth their salt doesn't accept unsolicited submissions."There...I just gave you the the book. Unfortunately, he is a reflection of the nonsense personalities every actor must navigate and therefore reading his sentence fragments and incomplete ideas is good training if you decide to pursue the art of acting.Makes me glad I went to law school.

Excellent Industry Tool
I'm starting a boutique-style talent agency.As I have never worked at a talent agency, I needed an insiders A to Z guidance on how to effectively get an actor's material seen, how to get them audition ready and ultimately book the gig. Paul Russell's book was extremely informative, straight to the point and humorous.Although I am just beginning my career as an agent, my feelings were a little hurt when I read the chapter on Agents.But, I read on and believe that I will be a better agent because of it. I am recommending that all my clients read it.

Gift
I am unable to rate this item as I purchased it as a gift for someone else.Amazon service was amazing, though.Easy to order and book arrived the next day.Thank you!

book review Acting make it your business
I accidentally ordered two but amazon dealt with it quickly and I was able to return one. Thank you Amazon!
The book is wonderful for actors who are starting out or who have been in this business for a while It is fast paced witty and informative. It is geared to American actors but as a British actor I have got a lot from the book and was sad to finish it! I will use the info in the book to help further my career and wish the Author Paul Russell as the success it deserves.

Standing Ovation!
With already 40 rave reviews on this book, it probably doesn't need another.However, what sets this book apart from the other ten or so I've read on the subject is the depth in which it goes and the effective use of the internet it describes!There is more than one approach to many difficult subjects, as well, meaning there are choices to be made by actors as they promote themselves, so grey areas are delved into.

This book also distinguishes itself by some unique chapters, besides the earlier-mentioned internet possibilities, such as contract negotiations.It also presents interesting views "behind the table," describing different personality types in a casting session or amongst agents.

The sheer amount of information packed into its 300+ pages make it a very, VERY worthy purchase and I extremely highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description
Everyone who loves theatre and is interested in the craft of acting will be fascinated by Mark Rafael's Telling Stories. This extraordinary book is full of information rarely available to us. By taking us inside the classrooms of some of the most important teachers of our times, he becomes, in effect, a master teacher. - Marian Seldes, Actress

I found Telling Stories to be practical, insightful and I recommend it to be used for student actors and especially invaluable for professors and teachers of acting across a range of levels. - Diane Baker, Actress, Director of ActingSchool of Motion Picture & Television, Academy of Art University

Telling Stories: A Grand Unifying Theory of Acting Techniques is an essential resource for professional actors, acting students and teachers, or anyone who wants to better understand the evolution of modern acting theory. This guidebook provides a history of acting theories and training and describes techniques that enable an actor to inhabit a character. In the book are numerous acting exercises that illustrate each method, as well as advice on performing Shakespeare and on developing scripts.

Telling Stories is an important addition to any theatrical library and can serve as the basis for acting and theater courses across a wide range of levels.

MARK RAFAEL, an actor and educator, received his BA from Brown University and holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. He has also studied with teachers from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in London and was awarded a scholarship to the Michael Chekhov Studio in New York. He served as an assistant to Dr. Maria Piscator, widow of Erwin Piscator, and has worked extensively on the development of new scripts in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. As an actor, he has performed in theatres across the country as well as in television and films, including James Cameron's Titanic. He currently lives and works in San Francisco with his wife and three children, where he teaches at the University of San Francisco and the Academy of Art University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Fantastic Book
Many years ago, I took a theatre class in college, and how I only wish that a book such as Professor Mark Rafael's brilliant, enlightening, and thoroughly enjoyable study had been assigned for that class.

Telling Stories is a very readable and highly engaging examination of almost everything that you need to know about acting. The author's in-depth knowledge and erudition about not only acting but also theatre and the history of the dramatic arts comes through in every chapter. Rafael is certainly an expert in his field, and he translates his life-long devotion to his profession flawlessly to the written page.

What readers will find most attractive about Telling Stories is the way that Professor Rafael synthesizes such a large amount of information, making it accessible to both the professional actor and non-actor alike. This is a delicate balancing act for any author, but Professor Rafael magically pulls it off.

This book is a must for anyone who has an interest in not only acting, but also literature, playwriting, film, teaching, drama, and the history of the stage. It is beautifully written, and Professor Rafael's tremendous knowledge and devotion to his craft shines through on every page.
... Read more

Product Description
A master actor who's appeared in an enormous number of films, starring with everyone from Nicholson to Kermit the Frog, Michael Caine is uniquely qualified to provide his view of making movies. This new revised and expanded edition features great photos throughout, with chapters on: Preparation, In Front of the Camera - Before You Shoot, The Take, Characters, Directors, On Being a Star, and much more."Remarkable material ... A treasure ... I'm not going to be looking at performances quite the same way ... FASCINATING!"- Gene Siskel ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Wish I had read this book when I first arrived in Los Angeles.
This is a terrific book that is more about the business of acting than revealing any kind of technique for the actor's performance -- but it's a great book that I have highly recommended to anyone interested in an acting career. It's obvious to me that one of the reasons that Michael Caine works so much is that he has an unparalleled work ethic. It's apparent that he is a true soldier for the production company that hires him. What producer wouldn't want to hire Michael Caine after reading his book?
I wish I had read this book when I first arrived in Los Angeles to become an actor. It would have saved me a lot of problems, a lot of migraine headaches, and a lot of grief generated through trial and error (mostly error).

Jesse Vint

author of "A Film Actor's Handbook"

GREAT ACTING ON CAMERA CLASS
It is a wonderful acting class.Especially good for people with training in theatre and are starting to act on the camera.
I think this is a must have for an actor.
Michael Caine is not only a great actor; also he is a wonderful teacher.

Good book for aspiring actors
A very entertaining, short, helpful, addictive read. I bought this on a whim, and I'm pretty sure it's one of the few (if not the only) successful blind book purchase(s) I've made (Da Vinci Code, anyone? blegh). I read it straight through from start to finish, and will probably reference back to it in the future. Whether you are an actor or just interested, this book is great, from a great. I gotta say, Michael Caine is pretty extraordinary and consistent. Then again, I suppose he could have written a pamphlet on hard drive installation and it would be every bit as truthful, direct, and easy to read. Michael Caine knows the film business, he knows what he is talking about. I learned so much from reading his book. This is the type of book that I could continue to read and discover great treasures each time.

As an Acting Coach this IS the #1 tool
Michael Caine gives the truth about acting and the tools to practice your technique that work 100% of the time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to remove anything false about the "how to's" in performing. I have an entire collection of books and have written two. This by far is simply the best...with no stoppers on being a success.

great read
This is a great read and has lots of info for both the working and hopeful actor.If you're serious about the craft, read this book.

Mr. Caine's anectdotes and advice is both useable and enjoyable.I had put his advice into practice days before filming an episode.While on set, his words rang true countless times, and made the days shoot far more productive to say the least.

This book sits among my favorites, along side Moss' "Intent to live".





... Read more

Product Description
From drama to farce, this photo-packed book offers a complete how-to reference to the craft of acting. Actors will find exercises for strengthening their focus and concentration, refining stage movements, improving voice, and understanding characters. 390 color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Things I wish I had known for 20 years
As a "working actor" I wish I had known 20 years ago even 1 of these techniques or pieces of information. It would have changed my career. John Shepard's book is beyond informative -its a miracle.

Nancy Mimless

Get this book! An actors bible to camera work
This is a terrific book. Acting is a craft, so like any other craft it has it's changes. It should come as no surprise that there are growing number of facets where knowledge can give you an edge. No actor can be expected to know everything. Enter John Shepard. Here's a book that spells out the variety of camera work out there. Should you find yourself up for a commercial, industrial, creating CD Roms, Soap Opera, film, or episodic TV, Shepard has a chapter on each one. Everything, from what you wear to the details of auditioning techniques, is laid out. Do you expect to be working on location? Shepard tells you what you can expect as well as what's expected of you. There are sample scripts, scenes to practice and exercises to sharpen your skills. This book is full of good stuff. ... Read more

Product Description
When it was first published in 1993, Secrets of Screen Acting broke new ground in explaining how acting for the camera is different from acting on stage. Reaction time is altered, physical timing and placement are reconceived, and the proportions of the film frame itself become the measure of all things.In this updated edition, Patrick Tucker explains how digital video introduces yet another secret (and solution): the proportions of the digital frame are different from that of traditional film stock, so that the director must conceptualize each image in terms of this new rectangle. Actors now fit into the frame in a slightly different way. Based on a revolutionary non-Method approach to acting, Secrets of Screen Acting shows what actually works:how an actor, an announcer--anyone working in front of the cameras--gives excellent performances on screen.

In this new edition, Patrick Tucker retains the engaging style and useful structure of the first edition while addressing significant changes in current technology, ensuring that this volume will remain an indispensable resource for contemporary students of screen acting.
Updated for a new decade of screen performance possibilities, Secrets of Screen Acting is a magician's box of acting tricks for today's performer. thought, there still exists no single method for screen work. In this book, Patrick Tucker makes the distinction between acting for the stage and for the screen. He explains that the actor, instead of starting with what is real and trying to portray that on screen, should work with the realities of the shoot itself, and then work out how to make it all appear realistic.

Tucker has created and developed several screen acting of a courses, and this book is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field. Containing over 50 acting exercises, this book leads the reader step-by-step through the elements of effective screen acting.

Refreshing in its informal approach and full of instructive anecdotes, Secrets of Screen Acting will be an invaluable guide for those who wish to master the art of acting on-screen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very Informative
This was a very informative book for my Acting for the Camera students. Promoted interesting questions and good discussion.

One incredible gem of knowledge after another!
During my first read through my jaw kept dropping as I came to understandhow little I know about screen acting, even at my low level of experience.

This book did more to open my eyes to the virtually hidden peculiaritiesand demands of acting for the screen than anything I've ever read. Thepages of review sheets at the back are worth the price of the book.

Thestyle is readable and the author speaks with the authority of experience.I'm sure that this will turn out to be the best investment I've made in myfledgling career as a film actor. I'm going to give this book to my closestactor-friends. I can't think of a better way to show how much I value them.

Excellent; detailed techniques on screen acting
Includes numerous detailed techniques for film acting, such as adjusting your performance for various camera distances (master shot vs. close-up, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
Written to meet the needs of thousands of students and pre-professional singers participating in production workshops and classes in opera and musical theater, Acting for Singers leads singing performers step by step from the studio or classroom through audition and rehearsals to a successful performance. Using a clear, systematic, positive approach, this practical guide explains how to analyze a script or libretto, shows how to develop a character building on material in the score, and gives the singing performer the tools to act believably. More than just a "how-to" acting book, however, Acting for Singers also addresses the problems of concentration, trust, projection, communication, and the self-doubt that often afflicts performers pursuing the goal of believable performance. Part I establishes the basic principles of acting and singing together, and teaches the reader how to improvise as a key tool to explore and develop characters. Part II teaches the singer how to analyze theatrical work for rehearsing and performing. Using concrete examples from Carmen and West Side Story, and imaginative exercises following each chapter, this text teaches all singers how to be effective singing actors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Helpful Handbook for Stagework
Helpful Handbook for Singers, Directors and Teachers

A clear and practical guide to prepare and realize effective character portrayal in opera and musical theater. As a Voice Professor, I find Mr. Ostwald's book especially important to the field as a resource for teachers and beginning directors.

The book is very well organized to develop a singer-actor from basic dramatic skills to performance-ready character portrayal. Each chapter is clearly structured with easily identified headings and detailed explanations followed by a chapter summary.

Wonderfully inventive exercises in every chapter help singers warm up their body and enhance the mind-body connection. Myriad ideas are provided to develop imagination and creativity! The resourceful activities can be used by singers on their own or by a teacher leading groups of students. Most exercises lend themselves well to group work and are clearly identified by Mr. Ostwald.

The book also includes a helpful Glossary of Terms as well as a list of sources for research on historical stage gestures and dance--so important for singers exploring Baroque opera, for example.

The overall tone of the book is positive and empowering. The practical intent to enable any singer to express every song or aria with confidence is evident. Teachers and beginning directors will find it especially helpful in their work to prepare singers for the stage.

invaluable guide
ACTING FOR SINGERS is a valuable guide to deepen a singer's understanding of how to find and illuminate character in song.At last a book written clearly on the subject.I recommend it highly.
Shela Xoregos, New York director

Acting for Singers: Creating Believable Singing Characters
I have been a professional opera singer andvoice professor for many decades.This book REALLY gets to the heart of the acting delima which singers' face.The index is very thorough, allowing the singer to find exactly the topic they are looking for easily.The book should be read cover to cover many times if the singer is new to the field of acting.(I find it helpful for each singer to ponder this question:Am I a singer who acts or, an actor who sings, or both.) An opera singer MUST learn to create operatic characters with which the audience can identify. Each Mannerism and gesture will change with each new operatic role one intends to interpret. This book should be a great help for the preparation of singers who aspire to act realistically and who wish to conquor this extremely demanding and rewarding field called OPERA.

How to breathe life and artistry into your characters
David Ostwald's new book, "Acting for Singers," is an important and helpful guide for singers-in-training, for professionals learning new roles, and for seasoned performers who wish to infuse new dramatic life into their repertory. As a former arts administrator for San Francisco Opera and Affiliate Artists, Inc., I feel that Ostwald's book is equally useful for stage directors, conductors, teachers, and coach/accompanists who strive to make their highly collaborative art form appear as seamless as possible. Ostwald covers a number of pertinent topics including the foundations of believable acting, ways to improve concentration, and how to motivate a character's actions. Having judged many auditions over the years, I found the chapter on "Getting the Part" to be especially helpful to young singers who may not know how to dress for the occasion, speak to the judges, or introduce their selections from the stage. The author's "Ten Maxim's of Believable Singing" provide a concise checklist of wisdom gleaned from his years of teaching and directing. Ostwald's analysis of how directors and teachers can help their singers grow and flourish, including the sage advice of "Always be supportive" and "Never humiliate anyone," presents a pithy list that bosses in any business should read and take to heart. The text is lively, clear and well designed, with headings, bulleted points and enough white space to make the book's insights both accessible and memorable. Each chapter contains helpful exercises, summaries or trouble shooting techniques which will enable singers and their colleagues to create superior performances. "Acting for Singers" will likely become an indispensable, dog-eared companion for any singers who wish to breathe live and artistry into their characters.

Perry-Lynn Moffitt

A Must Read for Performers
Although the title is Acting for Singers, actors and directors will benefit as well from Ostwald's excellent analysis of what makes a believable character on stage.The book is full of helpful exercises and explanations of what works on stage.Acting for Singers should be on the bookshelf of every performer. ... Read more