THE 3 BOOKS OF ACTING I PREFER
Interested in Learning acting? Take a look at some of the great books I’ve read that helped me understand this art, TOTALLY FOR BEGINNERS!
To some people out there, acting seems quite easy and fun, but when you practice it by yourself, it gets hell! Speaking from my own experience, I’ve been studying this art for more than 2 years, and though it is my passion, sometimes it’s the thing which makes me ill, demotivated, angry…
What Is Acting?
“The art or occupation of performing fictional roles in plays, films, or television. Changing your state of mood, using different methods and techniques to achieve such potential”
Obviously, here I’m not talking about acting in ads or YouTube videos but on the larger scale, what truly this art is.
I’ll tell you the same way I did it, the same books I read with the same order. So the first book we have is,
The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique
“It is the obligation of the artist to change the world through the arts” _
“Establish Boundaries… then cross them” _ Ivana Chubbuck
Los Angeles Times best seller. Written by Ivana Chubbuck, an acting coach and teacher, head of a drama school, hosting worldwide acting workshops. Ivana Has taught Charlize Theron, James Franco, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt and many more of your favorite artists.
The Chubbuck Technique is a way to realize and embody a character so that the character becomes you, and you become the character.
In this book, there are acting tools that are defined individually in every chapter, tools like creating your Overall Objective, Inner Objective, Your Obstacles (Physical, Mental, Emotional), Beats And Action, Substitution, Doings, Inner Monologues, Place And Fourth Wall, Previous Circumstances etc.
So this was my first book, and the first technique I learned by myself using the book. And I do prefer this one more than the others. I just love it! The way it is. Not to get confused by too many tools but to understand them, and then act!
I forgot to include that there is also a Part 2 in this book where there are other acting tools and exercises for those who are preparing for a specific state of being like substance abuse or playing a serial killer!
Now, the second book is from a 3 series book by the great Russian Theater Practitioner, Konstantin Stanislavski. Inventor of Different methods, pillars and acting techniques. Stanislavski was way ahead of His time. He is best known for developing the system or theory of acting called the Stanislavsky system, or Stanislavsky method. His techniques are now still well praised and taught but few people are against them.
“The Actor, no less than the soldier, must be subject to iron discipline”
“You may play well or you may play badly, the important thing is that you should play truly. To play truly means to be right, logical, coherent, to think, to strive, to feel….” _ Konstantin Stanislavski
The above are Stanislavski’s quotes from the book. You can imagine his greatness and love for acting.
An Actor Prepares
A fictional story where the characters are introduced to Stanislavski’s techniques or the Stanislavski’s system. The names of the characters are a bit difficult but I remembered I was making notes throughout studying this, this book is totally remarkable. You learn everything along with the characters as they are a student like yourself, eager to learn, making mistakes, taking guidance and performing, facing their fears. This book is from the era when Acting was taking a huge turn, a Right One*
The first two books of this series of Stanislavski’s were great but the third one was not of my taste, see which suits you, do give it a go!
Now, the final book. Written by an acting coach who has been credited by Oscar winning actors, like Leonardo DiCaprio and Helen Hunt. He has been in this field for more than 35 years, Larry Moss, the author of :
The Intent To Live : Achieving Your True Potential as an Actor.
“Don’t separate your art from living, live it”
“I call this book The Intent to Live because great actors don’t seem to be acting, they seem to be actually living” _ Larry Moss
From the above quotes you can say that Larry is targeting the artists to make this art not a part of your life but your life! The readers or the artists are encouraged to live in the act, perform as if it is not a performance but a real life deal. The book focuses on finding Stakes, Objectives of your character, their intentions, finding your own triggers, and also being a good detective. By good detective the author means researching, finding answers, triggers, applying everything you know.
Personally I loved the term Blood Memory which Larry has used to define the understanding of the history of your character. Larry has encouraged the artists to not to depend on other people, on other directors and writers but become your own writer and director, write yourself and direct yourself.
A Message
To the dear aspiring actors, freshies, newbies developing the love for this art. These are the acting books that I’ve read and prefer. There are also some other great books, like The Acting Bible, Respect For Acting by Utah Hagen but as I said these are the ones which I Prefer, PREFER*
I say this, if you even read only one book and practice truly, then it will be enough for you to prepare for a certain role, for an audition or school drama etc. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Practice is the key but not only the practice but the will, The Will To Act!
I don’t remember much of the techniques from the books but when I practice or when I act, all of them are in my mind as a whole, I prefer the Chubbuck technique more, as it was the first book I read and it’s quite simplistic as compared to others, but it’s up to you.
All of these books will not only make you a great actor, but they will open your mind, making you a broad minded human having multiple approaches. (Do tell me if I’ve made any mistake)
So, I guess that’s all!
“With Any Part You Play, There Is A Certain Amount Of Yourself In It. There Has To Be, Other Wise It’s Just Not Acting. It’s Lying” _ Johnny Depp
