Lessons: The Craft of Acting : Truthful human behavior on stage and screen

by Isbell, Tom

• ISBN13: 9781566081115
• ISBN10: 1566081114
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: Meriwether Pub

Summary

Truthful human behaviour on stage and screen. Definitely not a 'how-to' book! This book articulates the intangible -- how to capture lightning in a jar. It works to develop awareness in order to help the aspiring actor evolve, grow and mature as a performer. Acting is an art that comes from oneself -- no tricks, no special techniques. Every great artist begins as a craftsman then develops into an artist. Each of the 100 plain-speaking lessons in this book is brief and deals with an essential truth. The book is divided into 5 sections: Approach, Fundamentals, Classes and Rehearsals, Performance and Final Lessons. A supplemental work for students and professionals.

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(4)
Approach	7	(16)
Lesson 1: Acting Is Not Learned from Books Alone	9	(2)
Lesson 2: You Can Do This	11	(2)
Lesson 3: Before You Learn, You Must Unlearn	13	(1)
Lesson 4: Know Your Enemy	14	(2)
Lesson 5: Don't Try to Get It Right	16	(2)
Lesson 6: Acting Isn't About Rules	18	(1)
Lesson 7: The Best Actors Are Dogs	19	(2)
Lesson 8: Honor the Work, Not the Teacher	21	(2)
The Fundamentals	23	(36)
Lesson 9: Be Where You Are	25	(1)
Lesson 10: Own It	26	(2)
Lesson 11: Engage	28	(2)
Lesson 12: The Curse of Acting Is Acting	30	(1)
Lesson 13: Follow Impulses	31	(3)
Lesson 14: Want, Want, Want	34	(4)
Lesson 15: Play Actions	38	(2)
Lesson 16: Find the Obstacles	40	(3)
Lesson 17: Discover the Subtext	43	(2)
Lesson 18: What Do the Other Characters Want?	45	(2)
Lesson 19: For Heaven's Sake, Do Something	47	(3)
Lesson 20: Personalize Everything	50	(2)
Lesson 21: Experience, Don't Show	52	(2)
Lesson 22: Talk and Listen	54	(3)
Lesson 23: Take Stage	57	(2)
Classes and Rehearsals	59	(60)
Lesson 24: "You Are Only As Good As You Dare Be Bad"	61	(2)
Lesson 25: Don't Play for the Blue Pen	63	(1)
Lesson 26: Read the Play, Not Your Part	64	(1)
Lesson 27: Practice Good Rehearsal Habits	65	(1)
Lesson 28: First In, Last Out	66	(2)
Lesson 29: Show Up	68	(1)
Lesson 30: Be in the Moment	69	(2)
Lesson 31: The Danger of Being Careful	71	(2)
Lesson 32: Give Yourself Permission	73	(1)
Lesson 33: Be Aware	74	(2)
Lesson 34: Be Specific	76	(2)
Lesson 35: Learn All Them Lines	78	(2)
Lesson 36: Thou Shalt Have No Fear of Commitment	80	(2)
Lesson 37: Be Not Afraid of Silence	82	(2)
Lesson 38: Less Is More	84	(1)
Lesson 39: What Just Happened?	85	(2)
Lesson 40: Step Forward, Not Back	87	(1)
Lesson 41: Avoid Attitude (Part One)	88	(3)
Lesson 42: Find Stillness	91	(1)
Lesson 43: Find Your Zone of Confidence	92	(1)
Lesson 44: Work on What Needs Working On	93	(1)
Lesson 45: Imagine	94	(2)
Lesson 46: Working at Home	96	(2)
Lesson 47: Play Opposites	98	(2)
Lesson 48: Take Your Time	100	(1)
Lesson 49: It's Gotta Be the Shoes	101	(2)
Lesson 50: The Power of Focus	103	(2)
Lesson 51: Don't Get Lost in the Mirrors	105	(2)
Lesson 52: Build a Fourth Wall	107	(1)
Lesson 53: Create Chemistry Correctly	108	(1)
Lesson 54: Fill the Pause	109	(1)
Lesson 55: What Do Line Readings Have to Do with Anything?	110	(2)
Lesson 56: Eliminate Clunkers	112	(2)
Lesson 57: Do the Thing	114	(1)
Lesson 58: Leave the Work at Home	115	(1)
Lesson 59: Allow Yourself	116	(3)
Performance	119	(32)
Lesson 60: Honor Directors/Beware of Directors	121	(3)
Lesson 61: Don't Save It for Opening Night	124	(2)
Lesson 62: Make Things Happen for a First Time	126	(3)
Lesson 63: Relax and Give Yourself a Chance	129	(2)
Lesson 64: Simpler, Simpler, Simpler	131	(1)
Lesson 65: Deny the Lie	132	(1)
Lesson 66: Don't Give Away the Mystery	133	(2)
Lesson 67: Embrace Failure	135	(2)
Lesson 68: Raise the Stakes	137	(1)
Lesson 69: Allow the Emotion, and Then Fight It	138	(3)
Lesson 70: Re-Experience, Don't Re-Create	141	(2)
Lesson 71: Be Surprised	143	(1)
Lesson 72: Don't Break the Furniture	144	(2)
Lesson 73: Acting Costs	146	(1)
Lesson 74: Hide the Work	147	(2)
Lesson 75: Don't Forget to Play	149	(1)
Lesson 76: Don't Forget the Audience	150	(1)
Final Lessons	151	(44)
Lesson 77: Learn from the Masters	153	(2)
Lesson 78: Don't Compare	155	(2)
Lesson 79: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged	157	(1)
Lesson 80: Avoid Attitude (Part Two)	158	(2)
Lesson 81: Work on Your Body	160	(1)
Lesson 82: Speak the Speech	161	(2)
Lesson 83: Don't Make Excuses	163	(2)
Lesson 84: Avoid Green Rooms	165	(2)
Lesson 85: Take What You're Given	167	(2)
Lesson 86: Bloom Where You're Planted	169	(2)
Lesson 87: Make Your Own Luck	171	(1)
Lesson 88: Beware of Talk	172	(1)
Lesson 89: Check Your Egos at the Door	173	(2)
Lesson 90: Relieve Pressure	175	(2)
Lesson 91: Acting Isn't Therapy	177	(1)
Lesson 92: Honor the Three Rules of Improv	178	(2)
Lesson 93: Ask for the Teacup	180	(1)
Lesson 94: Fear Not Shakespeare	181	(4)
Lesson 95: Get Rid of the Voice	185	(1)
Lesson 96: Suffer for Your Art	186	(1)
Lesson 97: The Fab Five	187	(4)
Lesson 98: If You Want It, Work For It	191	(2)
Lesson 99: Don't Get Too Comfortable	193
Lesson 100: Do the Work, Enjoy the Victories I	94	(101)
Epilogue: A Call to Arms	195	(2)
Recommended Reading	197	(2)
About the Author	199