The Great Guskin (John Lahr; The New Yorker) shares the approach he uses to help actors land roles; develop them; and keep them alive Harold Guskin is an "acting doctor" whose clients include Kevin Kline; Glenn Close; James Gandolfini; Bridget Fonda; and dozens more. In How to Stop Acting; Guskin reveals the insights and techniques that have worked wonders for beginners as well as stars. Instead of yet another "method;" Guskin offers a strategy based on a radically simple and refreshing idea: that the actors work is not to "create a character" but rather to be continually; personally responsive to the text; wherever his impulse takes him; from first read-through to final performance. From this credo derives an entirely new perspective on auditioning and the challenge of developing a role and keeping it fresh; even over hundreds of performances. Drawing on examples from his clients work and his own; Guskin presents acting as a constantly evolving exploration rather than as a progression toward a fixed goal. He also offers sound and original advice on adapting to the particular demands of television and film; playing difficult emotional scenes; tackling the Shakespearean and other great roles; and more. His book will find an eager and appreciative audience among novices and established actors alike.
#1576760 in eBooks 2011-11-01 2011-11-01File Name: B005NI3C04
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Well researchedBy George PytlikJulia Ericksen has done an impressive job interviewing dancers and dance teachers to explore some of the psychology of ballroom dancing.As a competitive dancer and ballroom dance teacher myself. I found the study interesting but curiously frustrating. Ericksen is so busy psychoanalyzing why people dance that in the process she misses the experience of dancing. I dance with ladies from all walks of life. They dance for many reasons. but at the end if the day all of them just enjoy dancing; they arent trying to figure out how it contributes to male-female dynamics or other aspects of the human condition.Thats what Ericksen misses. In her search to find some deep hidden mental or sexual motivation for partner dancing. she overlooks the simplest. most common and most beautiful reason: that dancing together is a physical activity thats enjoyable and just plain fun.Youll enjoy this book for its depth of research. but dont expect some fresh insightful conclusion.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent insight into serious ballroom dancers - both teachers and studentsBy CurtisWell written book that captures the joys and challenges of serious ballroom dancing. Having been an amateur ballroom dancer for 5 years. it was very realistic providing a variety of in-depth perspectives from both professionals and amateurs from a variety of backgrounds and dance studios. However. be aware that while the book touches on a variety of ballroom dance situations. the author primarily focuses on pro-am teachers and students. I loved the book because I am deep into dance. I am not sure that those who have not experienced ballroom dance for awhile will find the book as interesting as it may be hard to relate to some of the stories.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Analytical ballroom study which is still entertainingBy Roseann S.The author did not catalogue her own experiences as a dancer but rather studied ballroom dancing as a sociologist might. examining various facets of the sport from both the participants viewpoint and the teachers. It was sprinkled with enough anecdotal information that it did not become dry and boring and answered a lot of questions about the ballroom dancing life that I would not have even thought to ask.I feel like I learned a lot about what it is like to compete as a ballroom dancer and the image of instant intimacy seemed very apt although not one I would have thought of myself. I enjoy very much watching competitions such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance and am a great fan of some of the pro dancers especially Derek Hough who has as well choreographed pro dances and performed many outside the box routines for them in their Macys Stars of Dance and other segments as well as competing. If you have not seen his most recent homage to Fred Astaire in the Walking On Air dance I highly recommend it. [...]But I digress. I feel that this book has increased my appreciation and enjoyment for what dancers like Derek do and how it affects the amateur dancers who go for instruction. I have seen it to some extent from both sides now and am more fascinated than ever.
