Film and Television Acting: From stage to screen

by Bernard; Ian

• ISBN13: 9780240803012
• ISBN10: 0240803019
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-12-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Film and Television Acting offers solid techniques for creating a natural, believable performance for film and television. The reader will discover techniques for listening and reacting, blocking and business, character, focus, the closeup, and comedy as they pertain to acting in front of a camera. The book analyzes the differences between theatre, film, and television acting, providing the theatre trained actor with specific approaches for making the transition to on-camera work. this second edition is thoroughly revised and updated. The book contains numerous scenes and exercises, including sample scenes from Cheers and Seinfeld, which provide the reader with ways to practice the specific techniques outlined by the author. Included are interviews with well-know actors and directors: Don Murray, Norman Jewison, and Emmy award winner, Glenn Jordan, to name a few. These interviews illustrate how the professionals apply their training and technique to filmed performances. There is also a chapter-length interview with John Lithgow, in which the actor provides a first-hand account of the differences of acting for the theatre and for the camera.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix	(2)
Acknowledgments	xi	(2)
Foreword	xiii
1 The Evolving Play versus the Frozen Film	1	(2)
2 Listening and Reacting	3	(9)
The Reaction Shot	3	(2)
Listening	5	(7)
Exercise 1: Listening	6	(1)
Exercise 2: Videotaped Reactions	7	(1)
Exercise 3: The Phone Call	8	(2)
Exercise 4: Phone Call 2	10	(2)
3 Blocking and Business	12	(11)
Definition	12	(1)
Technical Blocking	12	(2)
Artistic Blocking Technique	14	(1)
Situation	15	(8)
Exercise 5: Blocking and Marks	17	(2)
Exercise 6: Business	19	(4)
4 Preparation	23	(13)
Stage to Film	23	(2)
You Are You	25	(3)
Exercise 7: Who Am I?	25	(3)
Out of Order	28	(8)
Exercise 8: Stage versus Film Performance	32	(4)
5 Character	36	(18)
The Building Blocks	36	(2)
Intellect and Instinct	38	(4)
Exercise 9: Character	39	(2)
Exercise 10: Character Extended	41	(1)
Don't Wait for Magic	42	(2)
Exercise 11: Your Day	43	(1)
We Are Known by the Things We Do	44	(1)
The Dilemma	45	(1)
Tics and Tricks	46	(8)
Exercise 12: One's Mind Is Elsewhere	48	(2)
Exercise 13: Choices	50	(4)
6 Focus	54	(10)
The Environment	54	(1)
The Love Scene	54	(9)
Exercise 14: The Love Scene	55	(3)
Exercise 15: Focus	58	(4)
Exercise 16: The Reading	62	(1)
Imitation	63	(1)
7 Comedy	64	(18)
The Big Difference	64	(1)
You Need a Sense of Humor to Do Comedy	64	(3)
Don't Act Funny	67	(15)
Exercise 17: Woman's Monologue	68	(1)
Exercise 18: Man's Monologue	69	(1)
Exercise 19: Some Like It Hot	70	(7)
Exercise 20: Sunday	77	(5)
8 Situation Comedy	82	(21)
History	82	(1)
A Unique Arena	83	(1)
Your Bit Part on "Cheers"	83	(1)
Sitcom Scene--Seinfeld	84	(19)
9 The Close-up	103	(7)
Realization	104	(2)
Exercise 21: Realization 1	104	(1)
Exercise 22: Realization 2	105	(1)
Change of Direction	106	(4)
Exercise 23: Change of Direction	106	(4)
10 John Lithgow on Acting	110	(4)
Film	110	(2)
Situation Comedy	112	(2)
11 The Workplace	114	(10)
The Set	114	(3)
The Location	117	(1)
Lights, Camera, Action	118	(2)
Sound	120	(1)
ADR: Looping	121
Dialogue	000
Outside Elements	122	(1)
Directors' Peeves	123	(1)
12 Scenes	124	(21)
Scene 1: The Language Barrier	124	(4)
Scene 2: College Boys	128	(3)
Scene 3: Two Women	131	(2)
Scene 4: Man or Woman	133	(3)
The Comedy Sketch: Casa Blanco	136	(9)
Scene 5: Flirtation	139	(4)
Exercise 24: Sacrifice	143	(1)
Exercise 25: Discovery	144	(1)
13 The Business	145	(6)
Agents	146	(1)
Auditions and Casting	147	(1)
Unemployment and Rejection	148	(3)
14 This Is a Wrap!	151	(2)
Index	153