Amazonian: This is such a great book. Harold provides a wise and common sense approach to acting. You have access to his profound experience and ideas. Very well written. This turned out to be a home run for me on the first pitch!
United States on Feb 28, 2023
Trey: This book is a great compliiment to the Meisner technique. I highly recommend for seasoned actors. It's worth every penny!
United States on Feb 08, 2023
Kid Kerrigan: This is the first time I've had the MILDEST clue at how to approach Shakespeare. Harold was so wonderful at completely distilling ideas down with specific steps and examples of how to achieve various things. I've never seen another teacher able to share these kinds of ideas in a way that doesn't make you feel patronized, or make your eyes roll back in your head. I wish I could have had the chance to meet him and thank him for taking the time to share all these ideas. It would have been something else to be taught by him.
United States on Jul 08, 2022
Fran: Todo actor debería leerlo. Hay herramientas muy útiles y es bastante ameno para leer.
Spain on May 06, 2022
Lily: Good and unconventional method. I think it might help you if you're stuck with acting. If you're starting out, this book won't give you the foundation for acting, though.
United Kingdom on Sep 11, 2020
Noonet: Un livre plein d'idées mais qui tourne un peu en ronds pour dire la même chose : Explorez le personnage en le découvrant moments par moments, réplique par replique au lieu de jouer une idée du personnage.
France on Aug 01, 2019
Elizabeth: I found this book to be very well written and very self explanatory as he tends to go depth. I think the reason I personally loved this book is because it really emphasizes on the need for improvisation and being in the moment for any kind of acing you do.
It offers some wonderful insights and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be an actor/actress or to anyone who simply loves improv.
Canada on May 06, 2015
P. McCloud: I purchased this book to help me in my voice acting. I'm not a trained actor, so i thought it would help me. The basic premise is simple: don't memorize a script, but keep the spontaneity juices going even through a performance. The author gives many anecdotes of his personal life as an actor, and of the students he coaches. I wish there was an a video or recording of an actual coaching session so that I could see the techniques in action.
Because of my lack of training in the field, many of his techniques and experiences are over my head. Using this for voice over work is limited, in my view, because most voiceover scripts cannot be read in a spontaneous way, in a different mood each time. It might be useful in an audition, perhaps in finding the proper read, or in discovering a unique approach to the copy. If you're a voice actor, maybe it will help you. Your mileage may vary.
If you're an actor, this book will give you a leg up from audition to final performance. Many of the famous names he's coached can attest to his techniques for success. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning you'll find a lot in this book that will help you.
United States on Oct 20, 2013
JohnnyC: "How to Stop Acting" is a big-hearted look at how to overcome a common foible in acting at every level: The tendency on the part of actors to let intellectuality, fear, and boredom limit (or completely eliminate!) the emotional freedom and responsiveness that will result in a performance that is as surprising as it is strong.
Harold's prose is easy, which makes the book a fast read. But just as Harold would advise you to go through a script slowly, taking it piece by piece and gaining a real understanding of it, I would advise you to go slowly through this book and do the same. Just because you'll be able to read it fast doesn't mean you should. There's a lot to soak up here.
In other books on acting that I've read, the instructors are larger-than-life personalities whose very presence on the pages is at least intimidating, if not completely terrifying (i.e. Hagen and Meisner). Harold, however, comes across as extremely affable and open. He talks to you, the reader, as an equal; a fellow student of the craft of acting.
Done badly, this chummy style of teaching might make it hard to take the instructor seriously. It's done well here, however, and it's clear at...
United States on Jan 12, 2011
| Unlock Your Acting Potential: Learn the Revolutionary Method from a Renowned Acting Coach | Brat: A Nostalgic Look Back at the 80s with Andrew McCarthy | Learn the Virendra Rathore Switch On-Switch Off Acting Technique (Hindi Edition) | |
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| B2B Rating |
81
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98
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97
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| Sale off | $22 OFF | $12 OFF | |
| Total Reviews | 7 reviews | 518 reviews | 57 reviews |
| Dimensions | 5.6 x 0.56 x 8.29 inches | 5.85 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches | 6 x 0.44 x 9 inches |
| Acting & Auditioning | Acting & Auditioning | Acting & Auditioning | Acting & Auditioning |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7/5 stars of 407 ratings | 4.5/5 stars of 4,150 ratings | 4.4/5 stars of 416 ratings |
| Play & Scriptwriting Writing Reference | Play & Scriptwriting Writing Reference | ||
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First Edition | Grand Central Publishing | Notion Press Media Pvt Ltd |
| Paperback | 208 pages | 190 pages | |
| ASIN | 0571199992 | ||
| ISBN-13 | 978-0571199990 | 978-1538754276 | 978-1638066996 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #16 in Playwriting #21 in Play & Scriptwriting Writing Reference#80 in Acting & Auditioning | #23 in Acting & Auditioning#667 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies#2,107 in Memoirs | #4,854 in Acting & Auditioning |
| ISBN-10 | 9780571199990 | 1538754274 | 163806699X |
| Playwriting (Books) | Playwriting | ||
| Language | English | English | Hindi |
| Item Weight | 6.6 ounces | 12 ounces | 10.1 ounces |
United Kingdom on Jun 25, 2023