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The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Acting PDF

399 Pages·2008·2.29 MB·English
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Acting by Paul Baldwin and John Malone A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Acting by Paul Baldwin and John Malone A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ALPHA BOOKS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Copyright © 2001 by Paul Baldwin and John Malone All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ISBN: 1-4362-9385-5 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001089691 Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent profes­ sional should be consulted. The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight Copy Editor: Jan Zunkel Product Manager: Phil Kitchel Illustrator: Jody Schaeffer Senior Managing Editor: Jennifer Chisholm Book Designer: Trina Wurst Senior Acquisitions Editor: Randy Ladenheim-Gil Indexer: Lisa Wilson Development Editor: Suzanne LeVert Layout: Ayanna Lacey Senior Production Editor: Katherin Bidwell Proofreading: Mary Hunt Contents at a Glance Part 1: The Acting Bug 1 1 Lifelong Susceptibility 3 Discover why the acting bug can strike at any age, as well as the many possibilities open to you. 2 Proud Parents 13 Find out about grade school pageants and historical plays for the youngest actors. 3 A High School Schedule 23 Learn about using your time so that you can play sports and be in the school play at the same time. 4 College Triumphs 33 Recognize that college acting can enhance your education and be valuable for the future. 5 A Place in Your Community 43 Explore the pleasures and rewards of acting in community theater. Part 2: Skills of the Theater 53 6 Natural Gifts 55 Recognize your natural gifts for speaking, singing, and move­ ment. 7 Lessons Can’t Hurt 67 Find out about acting, singing, and dancing classes, as well as the value of special talents. 8 Learning On Your Own 77 Discover the many ways you can increase your knowledge of acting by reading, attending plays and movies, and just by looking around you. 9 Experience Counts 89 Learn why experience is so important, and why even playing small parts or working backstage is valuable. 10 Looks Aren’t Everything 101 Recognize that actors with all kinds of faces and builds can be successful, and find out how to act as though you’re very good- looking. iv The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Acting Part 3: Oh, Those Auditions 111 11 Picture and Resumé 113 Learn how to put together a resumé and picture package that will make a strong impression at auditions. 12 Know What They’re Looking For 123 Find out how to choose the right parts to read for and deal with the terrors of “cold” readings. 13 I Feel a Song Coming On 135 Learn the in-and-outs of choosing audition songs that will maximize your talent and let you stand out from the crowd. 14 Dressing the Part? 147 Discover the secrets of what to wear to auditions. 15 Audition Etiquette 157 Learn the rules of how to behave at auditions, and why those judging you have got their problems, too. 16 The Waiting Game 167 Understand the reasons why casting decisions take time, and find out how to cope with the wait. Part 4: Rehearsal Rigors 179 17 Scheduling Nightmares 181 Find out why rehearsal schedules are so complicated, and how to deal with problems when they arise. 18 The Early Stages 191 Discover the rules of blocking, the best ways to memorize your lines, and when to ask questions. 19 Cast Dynamics 203 Explore how relationships between cast members work and how to deal with backstage gossip. 20 Taking Direction 213 Learn about the importance of the director’s notes, when to argue, and how to cope with directorial mistakes. 21 Making Progress 225 Find out about ways to fine-tune your performance, and how to be a giving actor who makes everyone look better. Contents at a Glance v Part 5: “We Open Next Thursday” 239 22 Creative Costuming 241 Learn all about the importance of costumes, and what to do when you run into costume problems. 23 Tech and “Techies” 253 Understand the importance of the technical crew, and learn how to deal with tech rehearsals. 24 Dress Rehearsals 265 Explore the ups-and-downs of dress rehearsals, and learn about that all-important curtain call. 25 Opening Night 277 Experience the nervous thrills of opening night and find out how to deal with all those compliments. 26 The Run of the Play 289 Learn how to take reviews—good or bad—with a grain of salt, and give the audience your best at every performance. Part 6: What Is a Professional? 301 27 Experience and Dependability 303 Understand why many community theater actors are profes­ sionals in terms of skill, even though they don’t have a union card. 28 Getting Paid 313 Find out about the possibility of being paid small sums to act in community theater, and how to negotiate for payment of some kind. 29 Should You Turn Pro? 323 Explore the reasons for and against making acting your career. 30 Getting a Union Card 335 Get the facts on how to become a member of the major acting unions, should you decide on a professional career. Appendixes A Stage Directions Glossary 345 B Acting School Directory 351 C Play and Sheet Music Sources 355 D Further Reading 359 Index 363 Contents Part 1: The Acting Bug 1 1 Lifelong Susceptibility 3 Mommy, They Want Me to Be in a Play ......................................4 Specially Picked Out......................................................................4 Not Just a Show-Off ....................................................................4 Discovering a New Ability ............................................................5 You Can Still Play Baseball ............................................................6 No, the Guys Won’t Laugh............................................................6 One-Up for College Admissions ....................................................7 College Theatrics ..........................................................................7 More Than a Grind......................................................................8 Undying Friendships ....................................................................8 A Community Theater ..................................................................9 “We’re Always Looking for Talent”................................................9 Circles of Influence ......................................................................10 2 Proud Parents 13 My Daughter Is the Angel Gabriel ..............................................14 “She’s Just Adorable” ..................................................................14 More Than a Pretty Face ............................................................15 No, He’s the Front End of the Horse..........................................15 You Gotta Start Somewhere ........................................................16 It’s Better Than Halloween..........................................................17 She’s Always Been So Shy ............................................................17 “You Don’t Have to Do This”......................................................18 Watching a Child Blossom ..........................................................19 They Actually Did It! ..................................................................20 Congratulations All Round ..........................................................21 3 A High School Schedule 23 Homework and Rehearsals ..........................................................24 Learning to Use Your Time ........................................................24 A Responsible Kid ........................................................................25 Mom, Will You Run Lines for Me? ............................................26 Part of Your Kid’s Life ................................................................26 Shared Success ............................................................................27 viii The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Acting When’s the Track Meet? ..............................................................28 Coach vs. Drama Teacher............................................................29 The Well-Rounded Student ........................................................30 4 College Triumphs 33 Extracurricular Strengths ............................................................34 Educational Enrichment ..............................................................35 “We’re Upping the Scholarship” ..................................................36 Making Your Mark on Campus....................................................36 ”Hey, I’m on the Front Page” ....................................................37 Prizes to Be Won ........................................................................37 Gaining Poise for the Future ......................................................38 Impressive in Public ....................................................................39 Ahead of the Corporate Game......................................................40 Just for the Fun of It ....................................................................40 5 A Place in Your Community 43 The Hospital Fund-Raiser ..........................................................44 It’s Just One Skit ........................................................................44 You Can Count On Me Next Year ..............................................45 A Small Theater Company ..........................................................45 Productive Free Time ..................................................................46 A Lot More Fun Than Bridge ....................................................47 Another Dimension to Life ..........................................................47 Nice to Feel Special Sometimes ....................................................48 “My Kids Are My Biggest Fans” ................................................49 If You Really Think I Could Do It ..............................................49 You’re Never Too Old to Start ....................................................50 “With the Kids Gone …” ............................................................51 Part 2: Skills of the Theater 53 6 Natural Gifts 55 What a Fine Voice ........................................................................56 Such Good Diction ......................................................................57 She Moves So Well ......................................................................58 A Pleasure to Watch....................................................................58 The Telling Gesture ....................................................................59 All Singing, All Dancing ..............................................................60 “I’ve Heard Him in Church” ......................................................61 Never Puts a Foot Wrong............................................................61

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