Sanford Meisner on Acting

En perfecro estado

There's really nothing left to say about Meisner that has not already been said. I can see why he earned himself a name in drama. Here is the key thing I got from him - Acting is simplicity. Actors tend to over complicate things a lot. This is just an essential book for any aspiring actor! Buy it. It's practical as well.

I think that every person with creativity invested in them has the potential to be a great actor. And I don't mean great as in melodramatic or characterized. I'm talking about truth. Living and breathing truth on and off the stage. Seeing acting as a lifestyle. I strive to be one of those, yet I find people acting in a modern era of self reinventation on the stage and screen in the cheap ways. The tit for tat, earn your moneys worth quick scheming forms of acting. I believe those versions to be Uta Hagen and Lee Strasberg. It sounds pretentious but all too often are modern actors just being performers. I say that because I've been there. I've been a performer. But to be a true actor I think you need to be a student of Stella Adler or Sanford Meisner. Personally, I am an Adler disciple but I would only ever recommend him over everyone else. Everyone else, that is except for Stella. But if you want to enjoy acting. To get up and enjoy some truthful acting, then he's the man for you. And even then, I would beg you to read him anyway for the insight he can give you from a perspective of a teacher determining whether or not an actor is doing their best.

An excellent reference for both students and professional actors wanting to refresh their craft. It's a well thought out presentation - it takes you through a course of Meisner's classes, so it's not a tedious list of intellectual shpeak but examples in action, with comments both from Meisner and observations of him by the transcriber. This will be a well thumbed copy. Much easier read (and more effective) than Stanislavsky's bibles and provides the logic of why to keep away from the cliché Strasberg mal-interpretation of Stan's method/system. Highly recommended.

This book is exactly what I expected. I believe it is a must read for those who want to act. If you can understand this book then your well on your way.