Acting Action: A Primer for Actors

Acting Action is a book that explores the question of what great actors are doing when they practice their craft at the highest level. It is divided into two parts: Context and Practice, and provides a step-by-step rehearsal guide for actors to integrate playing action into their preparation process. It is a foundation, ground plan, and practical guide for actors, directors, and teachers in the technique of playing action, addressing a void in the world of actor training.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 07 August 2021
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

“What is it that we are doing when we are acting well? What is it that great actors are actually doing when they are practicing their craft at the highest level?” This is the question famously posed by Earle Gister, the legendary head of the acting department at Yale School of Drama from 1979 to 1999. In Acting Action, actor, director, and teaching artist Hugh OGorman invites readers to explore the question in detail.

Focusing on playing action—one of the essential components of acting passed on to Earle Gister and Lloyd Richards by Paul Mann—Acting Action is divided into two parts: Context and Practice. The Context section provides a thorough examination of the theory behind the core elements of playing action. The Practice section provides a step-by-step rehearsal guide for actors to integrate playing action into their preparation process.

Acting Action is a place to begin for actors: a foundation, a ground plan for how to get started and how to build the core of a performance. More precisely, it provides a practical guide for actors, directors, and teachers in the technique of playing action, addressing a void in the world of actor training by illuminating what exactly to do in the moment-to-moment act of acting. It also serves as an artistic instructional manual for either the stage or camera.

In the Context section, OGorman delves into the theory behind the core elements of playing action, including the concept of the actor's instrument, the relationship between the actor and the character, and the importance of imagination and spontaneity. He also discusses the practical implications of playing action, such as how to use it to create a sense of reality and depth in a performance and how to avoid the pitfalls of over-rehearsing or over-thinking.

In the Practice section, OGorman provides a step-by-step rehearsal guide for actors to integrate playing action into their preparation process. He begins by discussing the importance of understanding the character and the scene before beginning to play action, and then provides exercises and techniques for developing the core elements of playing action, such as the use of the body, voice, and imagination. He also includes examples of how to apply playing action to different types of scenes and characters, such as romantic and comedic scenes, and how to use it to create a sense of urgency and tension in a performance.

Acting Action is a valuable resource for actors, directors, and teachers who are looking to develop their skills and understanding of the technique of playing action. It provides a comprehensive and practical guide to the core elements of playing action, and is filled with exercises and examples that will help actors to develop their skills and confidence in their performances. Whether you are a seasoned actor or just starting out, Acting Action is a must-read for anyone who is serious about developing their craft and achieving their artistic goals.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538139295