Acting for Young Actors

by BELLI, MARY LOULENNEY, DINAH

• ISBN13: 9780823049479
• ISBN10: 0823049477
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: Back Stage Books

Summary

Written by an Emmy Award-winning director and longtime teacher and actor Information on unions, recommended classes, a glossary of terminology, television network contact information, bibliography, recommended plays and online resources are included Aimed at teens age 12-18 and written in a full accessible style Handy format is perfect for the teen market Do you know a teen that's been bitten by the acting bug? Here's just the book they need!Acting for Young Actors, aimed at teens and tweens, lets kids hone their skills and develop their craft. It begins with the five W's: WHO am I? WHAT do I want? WHY do I want it? WHERE am I? WHEN does this event take place? Sounds basic - but many young child actors are told simply to "get up there and act." This book explores each of these questions, using helpful exercises to allow young actors to work through problems of character identity and motivation. With comprehensive chapters on auditioning, rehearsal, and improvisation, plus a primer on how young actors can break into film, theater, and television,Acting for Young Actorsis every kid's ticket to the big time.

Author Biography

Mary Lou Belli is the coauthor of The Sitcom Career Book, published by Back Stage Books. An Emmy Award–winning director, she has worked on Girlfriends, The Hughleys, Major Dad, and Charles in Charge, among many other shows. She is the mother of two children who act professionally. She lives in Los Angeles.



Dinah Lenney is an adjunct professor at UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television. An actor as well as an acting teacher, she is currently appearing on ER as the no-nonsense nurse Shirley. She lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jason Ritter	xiii
Acknowledgments	xviii
Introduction	1	(4)
Chapter 1: Who Am I?	5	(12)
What's in a Name?	5	(2)
Ask the Author First!	7	(2)
Ask the Other Characters!	9	(2)
Ask Yourself!	11	(1)
Research	12	(5)
Chapter 2: What Do I Want?	17	(14)
Objectives and Intentions	17	(2)
Show, Don't Tell	19	(3)
Substitution	22	(1)
The Magic "As if"	23	(3)
Conflict	26	(1)
Subtext	27	(2)
Putting It All Together	29	(2)
Chapter 3: Why Do I Want What I Want?	31	(10)
Use Yourself	31	(3)
Don't Try to Feel!	34	(1)
Preparation	35	(6)
Chapter 4: Where and When	41	(12)
More Detective Work	41	(1)
Researching Time	42	(2)
Researching Place	44	(1)
Use What You Have	45	(2)
Sets and Locations	47	(3)
Working Around the Clock	50	(3)
Chapter 5: Auditions	53	(16)
All in a Day's Work	53	(1)
The Homework	53	(5)
The Audition Itself	58	(8)
The Callback	66	(1)
When It's Over, It's Over	67	(2)
Chapter 6: Monologues	69	(14)
Talking to Yourself Out Loud	69	(2)
Types of Monologues	71	(1)
Choosing a Monologue	72	(4)
Rehearsing Your Monologue	76	(2)
Performing Your Monologue	78	(5)
Chapter 7: Rehearsal	83	(14)
How to Begin	83	(1)
Listening and Learning the Lines	84	(4)
Rehearsal DOs and DON'Ts	88	(2)
Putting the Pieces Together	90	(3)
Physicalization	93	(1)
Wardrobe and Makeup	94	(1)
Voice	95	(1)
Thinking in Character	95	(2)
Chapter 8: Improvisation	97	(16)
You Do It All the Time	97	(2)
What is Improv?	99	(2)
Some Guidelines for Improv	101	(3)
Situations Where You May be Asked to Improvise	104	(1)
Famous Improv-ers	105	(1)
Decide For Yourself	106	(4)
Find Out More	110	(3)
Chapter 9: Acting for Money	113	(26)
So You Want to Be a Star	113	(1)
Breaking into the Biz	114	(1)
Representation	115	(5)
Managers	120	(1)
Pictures and Resumes	121	(2)
Work Permits	123	(1)
Education	124	(6)
Emancipation	130	(1)
Union and Non-Union Work	131	(3)
DOs and DON'Ts for Professional Acting	134	(1)
Sustaining a Character	135	(1)
Guest Starring on a TV Show	136	(3)
Chapter 10: Acting for Fun	139	(16)
The Best and Only Reason	139	(2)
Acting In School	141	(4)
Performing Arts Training	145	(4)
Summer Camp and Community Theatre	149	(6)
Chapter 11: Post Script, or a Few Last Words	155	(9)
Appendixes
Glossary	164	(4)
Unions and Professional Organizations	168	(2)
Resources and Services	170	(2)
Libraries and Bookstores Specializing in Performing Arts Collections	172	(4)
Recommended Classes	176	(5)
Recommended Acting Coaches	181	(3)
Recommended Publications	184	(2)
Recommended Books	186	(3)
Recommended Plays	189	(5)
Index	194	(12)
About the Authors	206