Saying, Seeing and Acting
Saying, Seeing and Acting

Author: Kenny R. Coventry

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2004-07-31

Total Pages: 227

ISBN-13: 1135431981

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Our use of spatial prepositions carries an implicit understanding of the functional relationships both between objects themselves and human interaction with those objects. This is the thesis rigorously explicated in Saying, Seeing and Acting. It aims to account not only for our theoretical comprehension of spatial relations but our ability to intercede with efficacy in the world of spatially related objects. Only the phenomenon of functionality can adequately account for what even the simplest of everyday experiences show to be the technically problematic, but still meaningful status of expressions of spatial location in contentious cases. The terms of the debate are established and contextualised in Part One. In the Second Section, systematic experimental evidence is drawn upon to demonstrate specific covariances between spatial world and spatial language. The authors go on to give an original account of the functional and geometric constraints on which comprehension and human action among spatially related objects is based. Part Three looks at the interaction of these constraints to create a truly dynamic functional geometric framework for the meaningful use of spatial prepositions. Fascinating to anyone whose work touches on psycholinguistics, this book represents a thorough and incisive contribution to debates in the cognitive psychology of language.

The Invisible Actor
The Invisible Actor

Author: Yoshi Oida

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2020-10-01

Total Pages: 123

ISBN-13: 1350148288

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The Invisible Actor presents the captivating and unique methods of the distinguished Japanese actor and director, Yoshi Oida. While a member of Peter Brook's theatre company in Paris, Yoshi Oida developed a masterful approach to acting that combined the oriental tradition of supreme and studied control with the Western performer's need to characterise and expose depths of emotion. Written with Lorna Marshall, Yoshi Oida explains that once the audience becomes openly aware of the actor's method and becomes too conscious of the actor's artistry, the wonder of performance dies. The audience must never see the actor but only his or her performance. Throughout Lorna Marshall provides contextual commentary on Yoshi Oida's work and methods. In a new foreword to accompany the Bloomsbury Revelations edition, Yoshi Oida revisits the questions that have informed his career as an actor and explores how his skilful approach to acting has shaped the wider contours of his life.

Sanford Meisner on Acting
Sanford Meisner on Acting

Author: Sanford Meisner

Publisher: Vintage

Published: 2012-11-07

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0307830632

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Sanford Meisner was one of the best known and beloved teachers of acting in the country. This book follows one of his acting classes for fifteen months, beginning with the most rudimentary exercises and ending with affecting and polished scenes from contemporary American plays. Written in collaboration with Dennis Longwell, it is essential reading for beginning and professional actors alike. Throughout these pages Meisner is a 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 Peck

Acting in Film
Acting in Film

Author: Michael Caine

Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

Published: 2000-02-01

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 1476842752

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(Applause Books). 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 revised and expanded edition features great photos, 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

Why Acting Matters
Why Acting Matters

Author: David Thomson

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2015-03-01

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 0300213697

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Does acting matter? David Thomson, one of our most respected and insightful writers on movies and theater, answers this question with intelligence and wit. In this fresh and thought-provoking essay, Thomson tackles this most elusive of subjects, examining the allure of the performing arts for both the artist and the audience member while addressing the paradoxes inherent in acting itself. He reflects on the casting process, on stage versus film acting, and on the cult of celebrity. The art and considerable craft of such gifted artists as Meryl Streep, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Daniel Day-Lewis, and others are scrupulously appraised here, as are notions of “good” and “bad” acting. Thomson’s exploration is at once a meditation on and a celebration of a unique and much beloved, often misunderstood, and occasionally derided art form. He argues that acting not only “matters” but is essential and inescapable, as well as dangerous, chronic, transformative, and exhilarating, be it on the theatrical stage, on the movie screen, or as part of our everyday lives.

Acting on Impulse: Reclaiming the Stanislavski approach
Acting on Impulse: Reclaiming the Stanislavski approach

Author: John Gillett

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2007-10-29

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1408147742

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"A manual full of enabling, easing exercises - it will enable you to analyse any scene. The cry of the actor at sea `I don't know what I'm doing' should, with this book, become a thing of the past' Sam West "I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting an introduction to Stanislavksi or Michael Chekhov or acting in general." Matt Peover, LAMDA trainer and theatre director. "Contains all the important things that need to be said about learning to act...in an extremely logical and sensible manner." Simon Dunmore, Editor Actor's Yearbook An inspiring and technically thorough practical book for actors that sets down a systematic and coherent process for organic, experienced acting. The author offers a step-by-step and demystifying Stanislavski-based approach to text, role, rehearsal and performance to be used in everyday work, and gathers together in one volume the essential tools for recreating human experience. A nuts-and-bolts practical guide with exercises for the actor to work through sequentially. Contains a Foreword by Sam West. John Gillett builds on his experience of teaching at drama school level as well as many decades of acting. This book, by an actor for actors, is a comprehensive, clear and inspirational guide to creating a truthful, dynamic and audience-captivating performance.

TRUTH IN ACTION
TRUTH IN ACTION

Author: Mark Westbrook

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2013-07-11

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1291581162

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A manual of common sense for actors and those that want to be. "Thank you so much Mark for this fabulous book, I feel elated again and have ditched all the other stuff." JOHNATHON FARREL When you own Truth in Action, you'll: Learn to Develop the Mindset of the Truthful Actor, which means that no matter what skill level you're at, you'll see immediate improvements. Discover how to pull apart any script and grasp the actable parts of it, which means that no matter how good or bad the material is, you'll understand it and you'll have the know-how to translate it into action - the language of the actor. Understand how to connect with your scene partners, which means you'll create great on screen/stage chemistry with your fellow actors. Learn how to transform the ideas and instructions of the director into truthful action. Discover the secrets of truthful acting and how to put them into action, which means you'll create authentic, organic and sincere performances.

Acting That Matters
Acting That Matters

Author: Barry Pineo

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2004-09-01

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1621531007

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An invaluable resource for anyone wanting his or her acting to matter, this groundbreaking guide defies most modern acting methods by rejecting emotion as an acting tool. With the advice in this book, actors will see beyond the prevailing "objective-obstacle" approach and look primarily to the text the playwright provides. Actors learn how to dissect a text for key words and phrases, as well as how to score a script, find proper tempo and rhythm, modulate volume and intensity, use theatrical stillness effectively, find beat actions, listen to their acting partners, and much more. Expert tips are also provided for auditioning, cold reading, and taking direction.

The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods
The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods

Author: Richard Brestoff

Publisher: Smith & Kraus

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781575257709

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The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, Volume 2 features the innovative ideas and theories of: ¿ André Antoine ¿ Jacques Copeau ¿ Michel Saint-Denis ¿ Elia Kazan ¿ Uta Hagen ¿ David Mamet ¿ Anne Bogart ¿ Keith Johnstone BOOK SYNOPSIS In this follow-up to his first volume that has become an essential classroom text, Brestoff examines all new teachers and exposes the origin of today¿s ideas and exercises that acting students are practicing. What is the rationale behind the lesson? Why is it useful? Whether they can be called revolutionary or evolutionary, the conflicting theories of these teachers result from outrage and disgust. Andre Antoine, Jacques Copeau and Michel Saint-Denis represent a virtually unacknowledged yet powerful French influence on acting and actor training in the United States and abroad. American Realist teachers known as the passionate questioners, such as Elia Kazan, who is disgusted with Broadway¿s commercialism, Uta Hagen and David Mamet, and two influential ¿outside-the-box¿ teachers, Anne Bogart with her Viewpoints work and Keith Johnstone, creator of Theatre Sports, are also featured. While differences among the various acting theories and practices are noted and analyzed, so too are exciting and unexpected connections among them revealed. RICHARD BRESTOFF is Associate Professor of Drama and Associate Head of Acting University of California, Irvine. He is the author of four best-selling books for Smith and Kraus, including The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, The Camera Smart Actor, The Actor's Wheel of Connection and Acting Under the Circumstances. He has acted on Broadway and off, in Regional Theater and on camera, appearing on the 1991 Emmy Ballot for his Guest-Star performance on the CBS television series, thirtysomething. Richard holds an MFA in Acting form NYU where his teachers included Olympia Dukakis, Peter Kass, Joe Chaikin and Kristin Linklater.