Acting for Life: A Textbook on Acting

by Frakes, Jack

• ISBN13: 9781566081078
• ISBN10: 1566081076
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-30
• Publisher: Pioneer Drama Service

Summary

Of all the arts, drama -- with its exploration of human characters and relationships -- is closest to everyday life. This textbook emphasises this connection presenting the fundamentals of drama and acting techniques in the context of ordinary experiences and interactions. The material is arranged sequentially especially with the drama teacher in mind. Subjects progress from basic stage and acting terminology, to more advanced lessons on acting theories. Each chapter includes exercises, activities and discussion questions carefully selected to reinforce the text. Excellent for use with both advanced as well as beginning acting students.

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(2)
Part A Basic Acting Skills	5	(90)
Chapter 1 Welcome to Drama	7	(5)
Life Values in Drama, Sports and World of Work	8	(4)
Chapter 2 Orientation: Body, Voice and the Senses	12	(9)
Warm-up Exercises	12	(1)
Relaxation	13	(1)
The Senses	14	(3)
Exploring the Stage Space	17	(1)
Remembering a Movement	18	(1)
Relating to Another Performer	18	(3)
Chapter 3 The Stage and Acting Terms	21	(10)
The Proscenium Stage	21	(1)
Stage Terms	21	(2)
Acting and Directing Terms	23	(3)
Directing Terms	26	(2)
Basic Guidelines for Traditional Stage Movement	28	(3)
Chapter 4 The Body	31	(14)
Exploring Body Movement	31	(3)
Pantomime	34	(3)
Stage Business	37	(3)
Charades	40	(5)
Chapter 5 The Voice	45	(13)
The Vocal Instrument	45	(1)
Eating, Speaking and Breathing	46	(2)
Four Ways to Change Sound and Tone	48	(3)
Rate, Pace, Tempo or Rhythm: "Pick It Up!"	51	(3)
Pronunciation and Diction	54	(4)
Chapter 6 Hamlet's Advice to the Players	58	(6)
Analyzing Hamlet's Advice	59	(4)
Audition Form	63	(1)
Chapter 7 Practical Skills and Considerations	64	(14)
Body and Voice	64	(1)
Emphasizing an Idea	65	(1)
Special Voice Skills	66	(2)
Entrances and Exits	68	(4)
Using a Telephone	72	(1)
Takes and Double-takes	73	(1)
Stage Fighting	74	(1)
Playing Love Scenes	75	(1)
Treating Mistakes as Normal	75	(3)
Chapter 8 Listening, Relating and Projecting	78	(17)
Listening and Relating	78	(2)
Thinking and Reacting	80	(3)
Listening and Relating on the Telephone	83	(1)
Including and Relating to Others: "Vibes"	84	(1)
Reacting and Responding	85	(1)
Relating and Projecting to an Audience	86	(4)
Actors' Relation to Each Other and the Audience	90	(1)
Projecting on Different Shapes of Stages	91	(4)
Part B Preparing to Perform a Scene	95	(68)
Chapter 9 Improvisation I: An Introduction	97	(12)
Definition, Explanations and Value	97	(1)
Ways to Use Improvisation	98	(1)
Starting Points	99	(10)
Chapter 10 An Actor's Process	109	(16)
Finding, Creating, Memorizing and Rehearsing	109	(14)
The Class Presentation	123	(2)
Chapter 11 Basic Blocking and Showing Relationships	125	(38)
Introduction	125	(1)
Territories and Home Bases	126	(2)
Simple Settings	128	(2)
Exploring Stage Positions and Character Relations	130	(3)
Movement	133	(10)
Sample Blocking Approach	143	(20)
Part C Techniques in Character Development	163	(72)
Chapter 12 A Brief History of Modern Acting Theories	165	(14)
Theatricalism and Realism	165	(1)
Naturalism and Realism	166	(5)
Other Influences	171	(3)
Technique and Instinct	174	(3)
Looking Forward	177	(2)
Chapter 13 Character Traits and Emotions	179	(18)
Character Traits	179	(6)
Emotions	185	(6)
Ambiguity	191	(1)
Aspects of The Method Explained	192	(5)
Chapter 14 Images and Observations	197	(15)
Picturing Images	197	(1)
Picturing and Projecting Images	198	(3)
Using Costumes, Props and Makeup	201	(2)
Observing Animals and People	203	(4)
Observation Form	207	(5)
Chapter 15 What Does Your Character Want?	212	(11)
Motivations, Intentions, Objectives and Subtext	212	(11)
Chapter 16 Types, Analysis and Representation	223	(12)
Character Types	223	(1)
Analyzing the Character	224	(2)
Defining the Character	226	(2)
Character Analysis Form #1: Given Circumstances	228	(1)
Similarities and Differences: You and Your Character	229	(1)
Imaginary Circumstances	229	(2)
Character Analysis Form #2: Imaginary Circumstances	231	(1)
Representation	232	(3)
Part D The Playscript	235	(42)
Chapter 17 Elements and Structure of the Play	237	(10)
Introduction	237	(1)
Formal Elements of Drama	237	(4)
The Unities: Time, Place and Action	241	(1)
Structure of Drama	241	(6)
Chapter 18 Types and Styles of Drama	247	(15)
Introduction	247	(1)
Types of Drama	248	(6)
Styles of Drama	254	(3)
Modern Styles	257	(5)
Chapter 19 Improvisation II: Creating Your Own Scenes	262	(15)
Different Objectives	262	(4)
My Made-up Character Form	266	(11)
Part E Film Acting	277	(18)
Chapter 20 Acting On-stage for an Audience Versus Behaving for the Camera	279	(16)
Show and Tell	279	(1)
Size of Performance	280	(1)
Acting for Film: Body, Voice, Thoughts and Emotions	281	(4)
Relating to the Camera and Direction	285	(1)
Memorizing, Rehearsal and Continuity	286	(2)
Filming Conditions	288	(2)
The Director and Film Acting	290	(5)
Appendix	295	(2)
Curriculum Objectives in Drama	295	(1)
Comprehensive Objectives for Drama	295	(2)
Bibliography and Reading List	297	(2)
About the Author	299