It is my contention that we each have within us an unlimited potential that can be tapped into at any time. All we need to do is get out of our own way and work from our special place within: our original authentic selves, our own magical craziness, free from ego. As actors, we can all become the actor that we want to be, if only we can put this aspect of ourselves in the driving seat. Most of the 'methodologies' or 'systems' were developed to help actors who, for one reason or another, couldn't access their own authentic abilities. I believe that this is pre-set within us. In the first part of this little book I will reveal: What is meant by 'The Magic of Acting' Why the methodologies are merely clinical, paint-by-numbers systems without our own original 'Magic' How we can access this special place most of us have forgotten Why there is no such thing as 'the Character' How we can develop a sense of place and understand 'where we are' right now, both inside and out And how all this applies to our acting. In the second part of the book, we will look at how to operate in the industry, with basic advice for the new actor and a reminder for those returning to acting after a break. This is not just another 'how to do' acting manual. It is about 'how to BE'.

ACTING MAGIC is a comprehensive guidebook that takes the aspiring actor from beginning steps to a high level of performance excellence. The book breaks down all the components of acting into simple and engaging chunks so that even the youngest students can apply them on the stage. Games, stories, exercises, illustrations, handouts, and teacher's keys guide the actor to discover everything the pros know. The extensive glossary of theater terms and the in-depth history of theater completes the book as a perfect study and performance text.

An Actor Prepares is the most famous acting training book ever to have been written and the work of Stanislavski has inspired generations of actors and trainers. This translation was the first to introduce Stanislavski's 'system' to the English speaking world and has stood the test of time in acting classes to this day. Stanislavski here deals with the inward preparation an actor must undergo in order to explore a role to the full. He introduces the concepts of the 'magic if' units and objectives, of emotion memory, of the super-objective and many more now famous rehearsal aids. Now available in the Bloomsbury Revelations series to mark the 150th anniversary of Stanislavski's birth, this is an essential read for actors, directors and anyone interested in the art of drama.

From the celebrated film critic and author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, a fascinating look at some of the cinema’s finest actors and how they approach their craft "Open to any page and you’ll become enthralled by the...tales of forgotten film lore, childhood memories, sexy gossip.”—Philip Kaufman, director Meryl Streep, Marlon Brando, Anthony Hopkins, Carey Mulligan. When we watch these remarkable actors in a performance, we see only Sophie, Stanley Kowalski, Hannibal Lecter, or Cassie from Promising Young Woman. How are they able to transform our world in this way? How and why do they do what they do? In Acting Naturally, David Thomson sheds light on the actors who have shaped the film industry. He shrewdly analyzes these stars—among them, James Dean, Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Louise Brooks, Riz Ahmed, Sir Laurence Olivier, Viola Davis, and Jean Seberg—revealing how a sly smile, an extra-long pause, even a small gesture of the hand can draw in an audience. And he takes us behind the scenes to examine casting and all the other moments leading up to “Action!” Through intimate anecdote, humor, and the insight born of a lifetime watching and analyzing film, Thomson explores the real reasons why we go to the movies and looks at how they influence our lives. This book is not only necessary reading for an insider’s view of the industry but also a surprising investigation of the relationship between acting and living.

Acting: The Basics 3rd Edition is a dynamic response to recent societal and entertainment industry changes, focusing on inclusion, diversity and equity, and the actor's trajectory from training to rehearsal to performance on stage and screen, with hands-on tools and global perspectives. The book offers vital ways of building a practical acting toolkit, through breath, body, voice, emotions, imagination and spirit. We begin with a socio-cultural look at actor as magician, storyteller, healer and social changer. Throughout, there are insights from Black, Indigenous, First Nations, South/East Asian, intercultural and feminist practitioners, together with methods focusing on disability and accessibility, intimacy directives, mindfulness and intersectionality. Key 'canonical' figures still feature (e.g., Stanislavsky, Meisner, Brecht and Suzuki) with re-visioned perspective. Scattered throughout are post-COVID insights, plus expanded sections on screen acting (including self-tapes) and Shakespeare. This book is useful for beginner or expert, as it's always helpful getting back to basics. Because the author is both an actor and an actor trainer, the tools are steeped in user-friendly application. At the same time, transferable skills (e.g., dynamic listening and empathy) are shown as relevant to everyone. With a glossary of terms and useful online suggestions (including blogs, videos and podcasts), this is ideal for anyone learn anew about the practice and history of acting, or to take their acting and teaching into new terrain.

Acting and theater training are amongst the most valuable tools for magicians. Magicians can benefit greatly from understanding how to apply these tools. The information in this book has been carefully selected because magic is, for the most part, a solo-art. Not every bit of acting technique is applicable. Some of the tools and techniques that Acting For Magicians will teach you are: 1.How to get the reactions you want from your audience. 2.How to create goals for your magic. 3.How to create transitions. 4.How to stage your act. 5.How to project and use your voice effectively. 6.How to create a character. 7.How to write a script and tell a story. 8.How to look at your magic objectively. 9.How to refine and smooth out your act. 10.How to be the magician that you've always wanted to be.