1st Edition

The Method Acting Exercises Handbook

By Lola Cohen Copyright 2017
    236 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    236 Pages 25 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The Method Acting Exercises Handbook is a concise and practical guide to the acting exercises originally devised by Lee Strasberg, one of the Method's foremost practitioners. The Method trains the imagination, concentration, senses and emotions to ‘re-create’ – not ‘imitate’ – logical, believable and truthful behavior on stage and in film.

    Building on nearly 30 years of teaching internationally and at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and Los Angeles, Lola Cohen details a series of specific exercises in order to provide clear instruction and guidance to this preeminent form of actor training. By integrating Strasberg's voice with her own tried and tested style of teaching, Cohen demonstrates what can be gained from the exercises, how they can inform and inspire your learning, and how they might be applied to your acting and directing practice.

    As a companion to The Lee Strasberg Notes (Routledge 2010), a transcription of Strasberg's own teaching, The Method Acting Exercises Handbook offers an unparalleled and updated guide to this world renowned technique.

     

    ABOUT THE HANDBOOK (INTRODUCTION)

    PART ONE – THE EXERCISES

    About the Exercises

    Exercise Descriptions and Guides

    □□ Painting and Sculpture Exercise

    □□ Private Moment for the Character

    □□ Animal Exercise

    □□ Need Exercise

    □□ Music Exercise

    □□ Emotional Memory Exercise

    PART TWO – BUILDING THE CHARACTER

    PART THREE - ACTING AND DIRECTING CHOICES

    Use the imagination to stimulate the creative process

    Break down the text to discover fully developed believable characters

    Use subtext to find logical emotional and physical behavior and

    transitions

    Find inspiration from the other art forms

    Work alone and with scene partners to fulfill the given circumstances of

    the play. (Understanding the characters psychology of behavior and

    their very nature.

    Making production choices for set, lighting, music, costumes,

    transitions, etc.

    PART FOUR APPLYING THE WORK

    Rehearsal Procedures

    Monologues

    Auditions

    Performance

    Scene Examples

    PART FIVE DIRECTING AND THE METHOD ACTING EXERCISES

    Origins of Method Acting Use in Directing

    Creating the Director’s Vision

    Production and Technical Choices

    Director’s Work with Cast and Crew

    Selected Great Directors

    PHOTOGRAPHS

    Biography

    Lola Cohen