You've asked for some suggestions for Acting material

Hi Friends on Alivenotdead!

I have been chatting with some of you and enjoying it very much.  Some of you have asked for some suggestions to read regarding acting technique.   There are hundreds of acting instruction books.  I find good in many of them.  I also find many of them "slow reading"  but I alway suggest to my students to take what you find makes sense and don't worry if not everything they  say works for you.   Most actors gradually create a "customized" style usually pulling from many techniques , work experiences, life lessons and everything that make them who they are as people.  

So with that in mind I will suggest a few books that you might want to try.  

"Respect for Acting" by Uta Hagen.

A wonderful book with lots of knowledge. 

Acting Truths and Fictions by Lawrence Parke

Lawrence does go on a bit but still lots of material to think about.

An Actor Prepares  by Constantin Stanislavski

Always good to read the "classics"   

Sometimes people who call me for the first time, either through a recommendation from an agent or manager or anther actor or they have read about me in the Coaching Directory put out by  Acting World Books (they also produce the agent directories that are the best in LA), ................. anyway when I am called people want to know what "method" I teach.   I believe the best coaches and teachers offer a combination of acting techniques.  I have learned from every class or teacher or director I have worked with.  Sometimes I have learned what NOT to do but many times I take something good from all of them.  

That's why I believe my job is to offer you many ways to make a scene believable and you will decide what works best for you.  

  I always tell my actors to consider any information they receive, whether it is in a book or watching another actor or listening to a teacher or a director.  Then you, the actor,  decides whether that suggestion can work for you. 

Please let me know what books have inspired you or have taught you techniques that have helped you.   When I work with actors I want to know what WORKS for them as well as the problems they are encountering.   That way I can figure out how to help them because I am learning what works best for you in the past.  It saves us time and frustration on your part.

Let me know your thoughts on what I have written. 

Remember  THE JOURNEY SHOULD BE AS MUCH FUN AS REACHING THE DESTINATION.

Bless you all

Jeanne @ ActorsDetective