In Character

Rating:
Summary: Super -Forget about Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Grotowsky, etc.
Review: Forget about Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Brook, Grotowsky, etc... This is the real thing..
If you want to act, to develop your acting skills, look nowhere else, this is the BOOK. You won't find pages and pages of theories or personal remarks, you will only find straight to the point techniques to maximize your acting skills.
In few words, this is the best acting book I have found in years. Is like having a personal coach.
In longer words, it explains in a clear and organized way, how to build a character step by step, including exercises. In less than 100 pages the author explains everything. In Part I. He writes about Identity, and how it makes a character different from another, and then he explains the various ways Identity manifests. In part II he explains conflict in the character, with whom is he or she in conflict?, and through a series of questions the author deciphers the conflict from staging to resolution. In part III he writes about Character Traits, this is the longer part in the book, and is the search for the character In the Body, the Emotions, the Thought Pattern, External Circumstances, Internal Circumstances and Character Choice.
He writes something like despite the character has his own choices, "Hamlet has to kill Polonius", the actor has to be capable to show as if it was his own choice in the scene. Through the book he finishes each lesson with an assignment, for example, "embody you character's attitude", or "assume the carriage of a drunken person", depending on the subject being held.
Anyway I suggest to try this and all books with critical spirit, trust your own instinct. Sometimes a teacher or guru is sure he is the owner of the unique secret for acting, but if you think it is not working for you, go somewhere else.

But anyway this book is the best I have had the luck to find in acting, it is so clear I can't believe somebody has this capability of synthesis, and this UCLA teacher did it. I'm totally sure that if some well known screen actors, criticized by his performance, gave only one read to this book, they certainly would improve their acting in a great manner.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable for the actor
Review: Mr. Vened thoroughly outlines the process for the serious actor to create a character that will come alive. His step by step aproach is insightful and accessable. A must read for anyone who is serious about the art of acting.