The Craft of Screen Acting

Have you been working as an actor, but want to refine your craft and take your performance to the next level? Or do you want to transition from stage to screen acting and would like to better understand the skills required? In this essential book for actors, Amanda Brennan offers a specifically psychophysical approach to screen acting, which provides an understanding of the body as the springboard for creative exploration. Starting with understanding your own instrument, you will learn how to prepare and tune the body for creative work. This is followed by strategies for the refinement of craft, including exercises on voice, movement, character development and rehearsal processes for screen. Experienced actors, directors, casting directors and industry professionals, such as Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Hugo, Sex Education), Noah Jupe (Honey Boy, The Quiet Place,The UnDoing), Janis Pugh (Chuck Chuck Baby) and James Kent (Testament of Youth, The Aftermath) and Rebecca Lloyd offer their comments and share invaluable experiences throughout the book.

Amanda Brennan is Principal Lecturer at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, UK, specialising in Screen Acting. She is also an actor trainer and producer. She has worked across film, television and theatre as an acting coach for over thirty years.

Introduction Part One: Craft and refinement 1. In search of Truth. Stripping back. 2. Finding your creativity. Beyond the everyday. 3. The Body speaks. Subtlety in movement. 4. Do less. Finding the balance. 5. Tuning. Bringing the harmony. 6. Breath. The life force. 7. Screen and Storytelling. Looking for the clues. 8. Thoughts on camera. Discovering the unspoken. 9. Listening. Sharpening the senses. 10. Emotion. The bubbling pot. Part Two: Process and Preparation 11. The Power of questions. Looking under the surface. 12. The process of the Starting State. Bringing the history. 13. Finding the behaviour. Whats really happening. 14. The dynamic of relationships on screen. Finding the dance. 15. Objects. Expanding the expression. 16. You and the Character. Discovering new ways. 17. Archetypes. Finding the patterns in characters. 18. Imagination and choices. Discovering options. Part Three: Technical considerations 19. Staying Alert. Channeling the focus on set. 20. The Journey to being Present. Living in the Now. 21. Stillness. The Bubbling Pot. 22. The Close Up. Capturing Subtlety. 23. Eyes on Screen. The Journey inside. 24. Editing and the actor. Maintaining a consistent performance.