Acting: The Active Process
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 112
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 112
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Acting: The Active Process is not a text about theory only, but a hands-on, classroom-friendly, doable process. It forces actors to ask the right questions: What do I want? What's in my way? What tactic do I select to get what I want? Where does the scene start/end and how did it get there. All of these principles are centered in the author's major advice: "Acting is about one character trying to get another character to do something."
Organized into six chapters, Acting: The Active Process:
- uses a precise approach to understanding each principal in every chapter
- provides classroom warm-ups relating to the chapter's main idea
- prepares students with exercises in connecting the chapter's principle to a written scene
However, the learning doesn't end after the six chapters. There are important additions to the appendices that include insightful hints on dealing with monologues, a list of active and playable verbs, an actor's vocabulary list, and more!
Introduction
About Leo Burmester
CHAPTER I Principle I: Your Purpose-Pinpoint It
Connecting Purpose to Action
Warm-Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Dream Endings
Chapter I Checklist
CHAPTER II Principle II: The Obstacle-Pinpoint It
Types of Obstacles
Warm-Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Chapter II Checklist
CHAPTER III Principle Ill: The Tactic-Pinpoint It
Selecting Effective Tactics
Warm Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Chapter III Checklist
CHAPTER IV Principle IV: Circumstances and Relationships-Pinpoint Them
Circumstances
Relationship
Warm-Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Chapter IV Checklist
CHAPTER V Principle V: Character-Pinpoint It
Types of Approaches
Warm Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Chapter V Checklist
CHAPTER VI Principle VI: Orchestration-Pinpoint it
Warm-Ups
Exercises
Connect to a Scene
Chapter VI Checklist
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Active Monologues
Appendix B: Verbs
Appendix C: Vocabulary Terms
Appendix D: Scene Study Evaluation
Appendix E: Scoring a Role
Appendix F: Suggested Reading List
Tom McNally as an award-winning acting teacher whose students have gone on to successful careers on Broadway, in film, television, and professional theater. He has taught at the University of Northern Colorado, Penn State University, and Loretto Heights College and has extensive experience as both a director and actor.
His book, Acting: The Active Process, is a practical, step-by-step guide that emphasizes acting as an active process rather than just theory. McNally teaches actors to ask key questions about their character's goals, obstacles, tactics, relationships, and circumstances. His central idea is that acting is about one character trying to get another character to do something.
The book is organized into six chapters covering Purpose, Obstacles, Tactics, Circumstances and Relationships, Character, and Orchestration. Each chapter includes explanations, classroom exercises, scene work, and review checklists, with additional appendices offering practical advice on acting techniques. The book is designed to help both beginning actors and experienced performers develop strong, effective acting skills.