The Actor in You Sixteen Simple Steps to Understanding the Art of Acting

by Benedetti, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780205542086
• ISBN10: 0205542085
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-12-27
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

The Actor in Youenhances the reader#x19;s appreciation of the art of acting by helping them realize that they already possess, in principle, the ability to play a role, to fulfill the sense of drama and to structure dramatic scenes, and the capacity to express emotion. Without losing its simplicity, directness, and enjoyable writing style, this revised and enlarged edition contains more material on the history of the modern actor, greater emphasis on script analysis, and revisions suggested by teachers who have used it successfully in the classroom. Drawing exercises and examples from readers#x19; everyday lives and from well-known films and television programs, Benedetti succeeds in deducing dramatic principles from those experiences and then applying them to the creation of stage role.

Table of Contents

The Actors Art

Understanding the Actors Job and Tradition The Tradition of the Actor Getting into the Tradition Summary of Step 1

Discovering Action Stanislavskis View of Action Making Action Stageworthy Using Action In a Scene Summary of Step 2

Experiencing Internal and External Action Interactions Summary of Step 3

Understanding Emotion and Character Character and the Magic If The Actor in You Summary of Step 4

Summary of Part One

Preparing Yourself to Act

Relaxing and Centering Relaxation Finding Center Summary of Step 5

Breathing, Sounding, and Moving from Center The Cycle of Energy Your Relationship to Gravity Phrasing Movement Summary of Step 6

Collaboration Seeing and Hearing Pursuing an Objective Summary of Step 7

Entering the Actors State of Mind Public Solitude Dual Consciousness Indicating Discipline Summary of Step 8

Summary of Part Two

Preparing to Rehearse: Analyzing the Script Selecting Your Scene Example Scenes

Understanding Your Lines Word Choice Rhythm Melody Summary of Step 9

Understanding Play and Scene Structure Finding the Crisis Units of Action Finding the Function and Crisis of the Scene Summary of Step 10

Experiencing the Characters Function and Given Circumstances Function and Recognition Traits The Given Circumstances Who Where When Summary of Step 11

Summary of Part Three

Rehearsal Getting and Giving Notes

Personalizing Emotional Recall and Substitution Summary of Step 12

Exploring Inner Action The Stimulus Automatic and Spontaneous Actions Strategic Choice The Inner Monologue Summary of Step 13

Defining Objectives and Action Defining Useful Objectives

Playable Strategic Actions

Direct and Indirect Action: Subtext Not Doing Obstacles and Counter-Actions

Summary of Step 14

15 Finding the Scenario, Score, Through-Line, and Superobjective

The Score Through-Line and Superobjective Personalizing the Superobjective

Summary of Step 15

16 Preparing for Performance The Stage Moving on Stage Blocking Shaping and Pacing Spontaneity

Emotion in Performance Evaluating Your Work

Summary of Step 16

Summary of Part Four

Afterword Your Sense of Purpose

A Sample Television Scene

Suggested Plays and Anthologies Plays

Play and Scene Anthologies Anthologies for Students of Color

Glossary of Theater and Film Terminology

Index

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