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Improv for Actors
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Instead of starting with what is real and trying to wrestle that onto the screen, Patrick Tucker explains how to work with the realities of a shoot and work from there toward the real. His step by step guide to the elements of effective screen acting is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field, containing over 50 acting exercises and the tried-and-tested screen acting checklist.
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Respect for Acting, 2nd Edition
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- Narrated by: Angele Masters
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 177
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 158
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For many years, she was asked to write a book. Finally she did, and here it is: an account of her own struggle with the techniques of acting and based on her teachings. Respect for Acting is a book for people who respect (or wish they could) the theater on both sides of the footlights, for actors and audiences who favor truth in a creative process.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating, even for non actors like myself
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Improv Wisdom
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- Narrated by: Patricia Ryan Madson
- Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 190
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 164
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Story4 out of 5 stars 164
In an irresistible invitation to lighten up, look around, and live an unscripted life, a Stanford University professor and master of the art of improvisation explains how to adopt the attitudes and techniques used by generations of musicians and actors. These secrets are currently being taught to entrepreneurs, engineers, and first responders in a crisis as well as housewives and Alzheimer caregivers. Let's face it: Life is something we all make up as we go along.
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Notes to an Actor
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- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 174
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 161
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Story5 out of 5 stars 158
"Do you have any notes for me?" Actors always ask for notes on their performance, and they will take them from just about anyone. Ron Marasco's Notes to an Actor grew out of the actor's profession. In his years as an actor, scholar, and teacher of acting, Mr. Marasco found that most acting books were either outdated classics that were rarely read, or quasi-textbooks that actors only "skimmed." So he developed Notes to an Actor, a compact, user-friendly audiobook geared specifically to the way actors work.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Insightful!
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Secrets of Screen Acting
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- Narrated by: David H. Lawrence XVII
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 126
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 110
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 107
Instead of starting with what is real and trying to wrestle that onto the screen, Patrick Tucker explains how to work with the realities of a shoot and work from there toward the real. His step by step guide to the elements of effective screen acting is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field, containing over 50 acting exercises and the tried-and-tested screen acting checklist.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Just great!
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The Audition Bible
- Secrets Every Actor Needs to Know
- By: Holly Powell
- Narrated by: Holly Powell
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 46
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Story5 out of 5 stars 48
As a casting director for 23 years, Holly Powell witnessed the casting world from three different points of view: as an independent casting director, as head of casting for a studio, and as a network casting executive. From this unique perspective she formed Holly Powell Studios, with her mission being to demystify the audition process for actors.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Golden Nugget Ater Golden Nugget.
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Improv Nation
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- By: Sam Wasson
- Narrated by: David de Vries
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 40
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
At the height of the McCarthy era, an experimental theater troupe set up shop in a bar near the University of Chicago. Via word-of-mouth, astonished crowds packed the ad-hoc venue to see its unscripted, interactive, consciousness-raising style. From this unlikely seed grew the Second City, the massively influential comedy theater troupe, and its offshoots - the Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, SNL, and a slew of others. Sam Wasson charts the meteoric rise of improv in this richly reported, scene-driven narrative.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Compulsively listenable historical overview
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Does your mind blank in conversation and create awkward silence? Do you run out of things to say and struggle to keep dialogue flowing? (A) Conversation isn't scripted, (B) it's 100% unpredictable, and (C) it can be terrifying at times. How do you prepare for such a thing? By learning how to apply improv comedy techniques to roll with any punch and improve your conversations and social interactions.
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5 out of 5 stars
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should be required reading or listening
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Getting to "Yes And"
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 19
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Amidst the deluge of advice for businesspeople, there lies an overlooked tool, a key to thriving in today's fast-paced, unpredictable environment: improvisation. In Getting to "Yes And" veteran improv performer, university professor, CEO, and consultant Bob Kulhan unpacks a form of mental agility with powers far beyond the entertainment value of comedy troupes.
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The Actor's Life
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 858
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 782
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 782
Jenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. She was determined, confident, and ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, rejection, and doubt. If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way. Jenna wants to be that person for you.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Best actor’s survival book!!!!!
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Philip Carlson was the first agent to sign Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Crudup, Liev Schreiber, Claire Danes, Idris Elba, Kyra Sedgwick, Adrien Grenier, and Paul Giamatti. He has represented Viola Davis, Kathy Bates, Brian Dennehy, and W.H. Macy among many and gifted others. He shares his practical trade secrets in this extraordinarily comprehensive guide on how to get into show business.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great read even for a non-beginner
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Yes, And
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 185
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 167
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Story4 out of 5 stars 166
The Second City has launched the careers of celebrated comic performers such as Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert and produced award-winning content. But it's the actual improvisational process developed and honed over the years by The Second City that has become its legacy. Players master an ability to cocreate in ensembles using philosophies that celebrate a "yes, and" approach.
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2 out of 5 stars
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The title is the best part
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 33
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 30
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 28
Actors! Engage your mind and your body in order to develop your characters fully. The Lucid Body technique breaks up stagnant movement patterns and expands your emotional and physical range. Through energy analysis, this program shows how to use physical training to create characters from all walks of life - however cruel, desolate, or neurotic those characters may be.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Wonderful Conceptual Framework for the Actor
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The Lyndon Technique
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 47
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Extended and unplugged is the advanced level version of Amy Lyndon's internationally recognized 15 guideline map to booking technique. The Lyndon Technique is the secret weapon for 40+ network series regulars, an Emmy winner, an Imagen Award winner, thousands of working actors around the globe, and at universities for more than 20 years!
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4 out of 5 stars
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Great Advice!
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- Unabridged
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Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 3
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 3
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Story4 out of 5 stars 3
The tools improvisers use to create wonderful - and often hilarious - scenes on stage are easily transferred off the stage and into real life. These tools have changed my life completely, and I want to share that with you. In this audiobook, you’ll find some of our favorite improv exercises as well as real-life examples of how our students’ mind-sets and lives have grown and become ultimately fulfilling through practicing improvisation.
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Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story
- By: Angus Fletcher, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Angus Fletcher
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 220
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 195
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 192
Whether you want to write your own scripts or simply gain a deeper appreciation for the great stories you see unfold on the screen, Professor Angus Fletcher is here to show you the way in Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story. Professor Fletcher, Professor of English and Film at The Ohio State University, brings both a personal and scholarly perspective to this craft. As a screenwriter himself, he has experienced the ins and outs of the process first-hand.
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5 out of 5 stars
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it's great
- By Kindle Customer on 02-11-18
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Rodney Saulsberry's Tongue Twisters and Vocal Warm-Ups
- With Other Vocal-Care Tips
- By: Rodney Saulsberry
- Narrated by: Rodney Saulsberry
- Length: 2 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 43
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 39
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 39
Do you use your voice for work? Do you want to become a better voiceover actor, singer, or public speaker? This book, written by well-known and respected voice talent Rodney Saulsberry, contains fun and challenging tongue twisters and vocal warm-ups that prepare you to read commercial, promo, narration, trailer, and animation copy with the proper energy and vocal dexterity. Learn how to deal with mouth clicks and sibilance issues, breathe correctly, control plosive words, and master microphone technique.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Practical and Inspiring
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An Actor's Business
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- Abridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 39
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 30
An Actor's Business covers everything you need to know to market yourself as an actor, with thorough and concise information about the movie-making process, drama school, community theatre, acting on television and in commercials, unions, and agents. A thorough and well-written resource for anyone wanting to understand all facets of the acting business, this book presents an experienced perspective on the world of professional acting.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Great advice and descriptive structure of the industry.
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Blowing the Bloody Doors Off
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- By: Michael Caine
- Narrated by: Michael Caine
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 472
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 442
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 437
One of our best-loved actors, Michael Caine has starred in a huge range of films and has excelled in every kind of role - with a skill that's made it look easy. He knows what success takes - he's made it to the pinnacle of his profession from humble origins. But as he says, "Small parts can lead to big things. And if you keep doing things right, the stars will align when you least expect it." Now in his 85th year - and more beloved than ever - he wants to share everything he's learned.
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5 out of 5 stars
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wow.
- By Gregory C. Fowler on 10-27-18
Editorial Reviews
In the introduction for Improv for Actors, author Dan Diggles references the Latin root of the word "education" - educo - which means to "lead out". This is key in understanding his method: that it is the responsibility of a good teacher to expose pupils to their wisdom rather than impose their beliefs on them.
Paul Boehmer's professorial yet approachable tone perfectly matches Diggles' Socratic approach, making for a rewarding and enlightening listen for aspiring performers looking to hone their craft.
Publisher's Summary
In this step-by-step guide, an actor and improvisational teacher brings his tested methods to the page to show how actors can take risks and gain spontaneity in all genres of scripted theater. Through 28 lessons - each of which includes warm-ups, points of concentration, and improvisation exercises - Improv for Actors provides insights into thinking and reacting with fluidity, exploring a character’s social status, using the voice and body as effective tools of storytelling, and more. Actors of all levels will soon be able to give a fresh, original approach to classic characters, create funnier performances in farce and comedy, and make dramatic characters richer and more believable.
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What members say
Average Customer Ratings
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- Buyer One
- 04-30-14
Good Content, helpful resource
If you could sum up Improv for Actors in three words, what would they be?
Helpful, Interesting, Comprehensive
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
Much of the content is focused around acting rather than improv. I would've preferred it the other way around.
What three words best describe Paul Boehmer’s performance?
Confident, Straightforward, Knowledgeable
What insight do you think you’ll apply from Improv for Actors?
Some of the improv techniques and class strategies
Any additional comments?
The voice is a tad boring with a very matter-of-fact delivery with little emotion.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 03-21-18
great improv listen
author very knowledgeable. tons of tips, pointers and guidelines for the Improv actor no matter what skill.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jordan T
- 08-06-18
Great book for leading an improv group
This book first guides you through some essential basic improv principles and then offers a week by week plan to lead a small group.
I am now leading a group once a week!
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jigipiggi
- 12-16-17
Reader sounds like a robot
We couldn’t listen more than 5 minutes. The sample didn’t indicate how bad the speaker was
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Neil Walker
- 11-11-18
adequate
What I wanted was a primer for improvement this was not what I get I found it most disappointing.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- douglas
- 07-16-16
good for mining improv technique very repetative..
yup I got through it and was useful but very repetative. such a shame improve by Keith Johnston is not an audio book.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful