296 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    296 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    What is good acting? How does one create believable characters? How can an actor understand a character if they do not understand themselves?

    In The Science of Acting, Sam Kogan uses his theories on the relationship between neuroscience, psychology and acting to answer these questions. Practical exercises provide a step-by-step guide to developing an actor's ability, culminating in Ten Steps to Creating a Character.

    He presents the reader with a groundbreaking understanding of the subconscious and how it can be applied to their acting. The author’s highly original perspective on Stanislavski's teaching gives readers a unique insight into their character’s minds.

    Sam Kogan studied at the Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts (now the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts) under the tutelage of Professor Maria Knebel. He established The Science of Acting, a complete stand-alone technique.

    Helen Kogan is the chair and former principal of The Academy of Science of Acting and Directing, has helped to shape her father's words and work for the publication of this book.

    List of illustrations, About this book, Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, PART ONE: The Foundations, ONE. COMPLEXES, TWO. AWARENESS, THREE. EVENTS, FOUR. PURPOSES, FIVE. THE FORMATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS, SIX. MINDPRINT, SEVEN. ACTIONS, EIGHT. FINISHING-OFF THINKING, NINE. TEMPO-RHYTHM, PART TWO: Qualities of an Actor, TEN. IMAGINATION, ELEVEN. ATTENTION, TWELVE. FREE BODY, THIRTEEN. TALENT, PART THREE: Working on a Script, FOURTEEN. THE TEN STEPS, A Marriage Proposal by Anton Chekhov, Author’s Afterword, Final Word, Appendix 1: List of Purposes and their definitions, Appendix 2: List of Actions, Appendix 3: The Ten Steps table, Glossary, Notes and bibliography, Index

    Biography

    Sam Kogan studied at the Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts (now the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts) under the tutelage of Professor Maria Knebel. He established The Science of Acting, a complete stand-alone technique.

    Helen Kogan is the chair and former principal of The Academy of Science of Acting and Directing, has helped to shape her father's words and work for the publication of this book.

    'In this fascinating actor's manual, edited by his daughter, the Russian demystifies how thoughts originate, develop and manifest themselves, working on the theory that if an actor thinks like a character, they will inevitably react, feel and behave like them' - WhatsOnStage.com

    'An immensely detailed and illuminating take on the actor's craft and the knowledge which underpins it' - The Stage

    'His clear style, using warmly candid personal experiences and humour, makes this an invaluable and compelling study' - WhatsOnStage.com

    'Kogan presents readers with a groundbreaking understanding of the sub-conscious and how it can be applied to acting. His original perspective on Stanislavski's texhing gives readers a unique insight into thier characters' minds.' - The Drama Student Magazine.