3 comments about Negative Space: Manny Farber On The Movies.

1. This compilation of essays on film and art, written from the 1950s through the '70s, still stands out as amazingly sharp, combative, and original. Take Farber's legendary "White Elephant Art vs. Termite Art" (1962); replace the notion of "great painting" with "relational aesthetics," and you see that artists like Allan Sekula follow the termite path while the Hirschhorns and Gillicks of the world are our own white elephants.



2. A cult book. Not being in on the cult, let me say that Farber had pretty good taste in movies, liking hard-boiled masculine shoot-em-ups in the Forties. And he is, apparently, a very good painter, still having one man shows today in his late eighties. Still, he was a hideously disorganized writer. Reviews seem to start and end at random points in his chain of thoughts. There are some good phrases, but I'd be hard pressed to recount many coherent ideas from his book. It's not that he's lacking good ideas -- in fact, he has too many. He's just not very good at putting them into a comprehensible form. If you are a fanatic for either forties tough guy directors or late sixties artsy directors, you'll no doubt benefit from grinding through the book, but for the general reader, it's a struggle.

   I'm hardly surprised that he gave up reviewing over 25 years ago for painting. Writing just doesn't seem to be his strong suit.




3. Farber found the best metaphor for his inclinations as well as his work: the termite, who burrows, chews, and undermines. Just as Thelonious Monk's solos softly undermine the themes on which they are constructed, so the bits of outrageous reality peeping into the Walsh films Farber so much admires undermine the fictional world Walsh has so carelessly constructed, and the critiques Farber savagely launches at film festivals and white elephant movies undermine their subjects by his relentless burrowing.

No comments about The Theatre Experience.

1 comments about Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society (Wadsworth Series in Communication Studies).

1. The book is great! After reading this book, I feel that I am able to: 1.Have a broader and deeper understanding of myself and of others. 2. Have a thorough theoretical and working knowledge of the various concepts of public speaking. 3. Listen actively and speak with a greater feel for me and for my audience.

4 comments about Theatre of the Oppressed.

1. Buy this. I know that isn't a sentence but wow. This is a life changing work. If you care the minutest bit about theatre, mankind, and the future of both (together and seperate) then feast here. Also, a side benifit is listening to Boal argue AGAINST The Poetics. Good stuff. The begining is a little slow because he begins by very carefully setting up examples and definitions before he begins to explain his actual work and theory. This is nessisary and impressive (citing some ancient Greek philosophers to whom I had never been introduced). I think this book handed me some special x-ray glasses to look through the clothing of our contemporary American theatre. Get yourself a pare.



2. This should be required reading in our theatre schools, but is generally relegated to the extra credit section of additional reading. Boal expounds some brilliant concepts that should be considered by all contempoary theatre practitioners. Serious theatre goers should read this text as well.



3. Boal is insane, but not nearly as much as Brecht or Artaud. Boal is essentially a communist that approaches all art from the social-conflict paradigm of sociology (Marxism). He tends to argue that most theatre is made to coerce, and that much of it is made with the power/elite in mind (that is the mildest description I can give you without starting a debate). Whether you agree with Boal or not, his chapters dealing with the Coercive Aristotelian Tragedies are highly educational just in the factual sense of what he presents. If you have any interest in classical or Greek theatre this is definitely a must read. He explains the dynamics of Greek theatre so well that it can almost be used as a text book.



4. Perhaps the pursuit of art in this world of massive economic, social and legal inequality is simply privileged playing and bemusement? Perhaps art has no valued, but as marketable, profitable entertainment? Or, perhaps art (and specifically theatre) can actually change the world? Boal is not the first to speak of theater's revolutionary quality, but unlike his predecessors he takes to the street with his theory. Tracing the relationship between the producers of theatre and its audience, Boal exposes the historical oppression imposed by the dramatic machine/conventions of the past. In its place he offers theoretical and practical examples of his "People's theatre" (i.e., paratheatre or interactive theatre). For all seriously minded artist this is a must read. Especially if you wish to understand your role in artistic production and also wish to make a difference with you work.

5 comments about Actions: The Actors' Thesaurus.

1. "Actions" is the perfect size to carry around, and I've found it invaluable in preparing for auditions as well as fleshing out a role. The juice in this book is in the concept of characterizing a theatrical beat in one action word. Since theater is visual, it is critical for an actor to physically demonstrate the inner workings of the character, and this book is a great jumping off point. I did purchase a pocket size thesaurus to use with it, since on several occasions this book did not contain the exact word I was looking for. I've played four widely different roles since acquiring this book, and consider the hours I've spent looking for that perfect "aha!" word well worthwhile. I'm making much more confident acting choices, and I think my characters are more assured, clearly defined and authentic. Highly recommended!



2. I'm an acting teacher in the theatre department at a university. I've found one of the biggest problems for actors was naming their goal/objective/victory...whatever you want to call it...and coming up with tactics that were compelling and ACTABLE. This book offers a goldmine of ideas for actors. Now, hopefully, they can move on from "convince" and "avoid"!!!
   
   
   
   [ASIN:0896762521 Actions: The Actors' Thesaurus]]



3. This book is wonderful as a reference when trying to find the perfect action to express your intentions and achieve your objective in the scene. It won't be too helpful if you're not sure what action to start with at all, but if you have a sense of the action you are looking for, this thesaurus will help you find the strongest choice. I will carry this with me at all times.



4. Decent first section discussing the use of actions, but the actual thesaurus included many words that don't work practically as actions. Maybe 20% of the list is useful in practice



5. This book makes it so much easier to clarify your actions and your goals when acting. It was introduced to me by a director and our whole cast bought copies and use them all the time. I highly recomend it!

1 comments about Four Plays: Medea, Hippolytus, Heracles, Bacchae (Focus Classical Library).

1. I found all 4 plays in this book easy to read & easy to get into...this book was awesome & has made me a fan of Euripides.

1 comments about Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers, Third Edition.

1. This book is very informative, insightful & wise. Just what I needed to further my knowledge and skill!

5 comments about Stella Adler - The Art of Acting: preface by Marlon Brando compiled and edited by Howard Kissel (Applause Acting Series).

1. i got this book to help me in my acting classes. I started reading it and i had a highlighter whith which i was planning to underline all the important stuff. Well i ccould not stop highlighting; every single paragraph in this book is pure genius. I already started developing as an actress more efficiently and faster than i used to, i wish i met her before she died...
   
   the only criticism...she is too abrupt. She is harsh with you. even if she does not kknow you personally, she stil attacks the young actor. this can be rude, but her directions are always right. If u are an actor, you NEED this book. Acting teachers should read it too. I had some horrible teachers in my life



2. This is one of the best books I read in 2006. It was recommended to me by a professional speaker who promised that the insights in the book were useful to not just professional actors, but rang true for any profession. He was right, this is a must read for business professionals, as well as the actors.
   
   I read it with vigor and was thrilled to see the wisdom in each paragraph. I have recommended this book to friends who have thanked me for linking them up with this amazing publication.
   
   If you are considering reading this book, just do it.



3. This is going to the top of the "books my kids must read" when they are going off to college or leaving home. This book is a supposedly a series of Stella Adler's lectures about acting, but it is also very inspirational as a series of lectures about how to live.
   
   Addler says that "The whole thing about acting is to give. The actor must above everything be generous. He doesn't hoard his riches...But before you can be giving and magnanimous, you must have something to give. Ideas don't come from your legs. They don't come from your voice. They come from your mind. The theatre is built on developing your mind. It's an education for your mind."
   
   She works on critical seeing, self-awareness, discipline, self-control - skills that are important to everyone, not just actors. She discusses the importance of developing your imagination, "Eventually your imaginative reach will extend to other things, until you can say, I know how it feels to be in mourning, how it feels to be isolated, what it means to be abandoned, what it's like to be engaged or to be married." She means this in the context of acting on stage, but for the non-actor, it translates into becoming truly empathetic, to being able to truly understand and communicate with others.
   
   Every page is full of memorable comments:
   
   "You must be aware that even a subject of profound importance can be trivialized and degraded if you haven't the energy and interest to match it."
   
   "Sometimes, when a husband and a wife go on a trip together, he might say, "My God! Do you know what that is? Why that's Notre Dame!" and she replies, "Yes I know. I can see it." They are seeing in Notre Dame something entirely different. As actors you must make everything you see come alive."
   
   "You will fail. That's great. Here's a secret for you - that's the only way you can learn. Learning has to cost you something."
   
   And on and on and on! She must have been such a strong, amazing woman, so completely different from anyone in my own solidly suburban middle class life. It is profoundly uplifting to hear her voice through the pages of this book. I highly, highly recommend this book.



4. This book was recommended to me by my mentor and coach Bob Proctor (watch DVD "The Secret"!!!) as an inspiring read for living the life I want.
   Receiving the book and spending an hour disappearing in it, leaning with my partner (it was her birthday gift) over the kitchen counter forgetting time while being totally absorbed by the Truth these pages contain.
   A must have in every serious library!
   Acting? Yeah, learn to ACT! Right action is what propels us forward in life. Why not learn from a pro?!!



5. Stella Adler was considered one of the best (perhaps the best) acting teachers of all time. This books give concrete ways to become a better actor and, I believe, at the same time become a more fully developed human being. It is an inspiring book full of wisdom and thought provoking ideas. Definitely worthwhile.

5 comments about Painting With Light.

1. This book is really great. Written in the fifties it still seems very relevant to me today.
   
   It explains very basic items like cookies, gobos etc. and basic concepts like how to let objects appear to be three dimensional.
   
   I looked at the book from the eyes of a still photographer. Some content was only relevant to cinematography. Personally, I even liked those parts as they gave me an behind the scenes look into movie lighting, which output I see every day.
   
   A revised version would be very much appreciated.



2. First off, I want to note that the author DOES cover still photography in this book even though the major emphasis is on film techniques. As someone who has always considered lighting to be vital, learning more lighting techniques is a passion. I was naturally drawn to this one.
   
   It didn't disappoint. Very convincingly, Mr. Alton makes his case for the way lighting and setting can affect the whole tone and mood of a film. He also reveals how some difficult situations, filming against snow, can be overcome.
   
   This was a seminal book of 1949 and I'm glad to rediscover it, even though I wasn't born in 1949 and I came to it late but had the luck to see an earlier edition. As you can probably tell, the cover photo is riveting and the contents are also compelling.
   
   I did want to note what may, perhaps, be obvious to some readers: film techniques and the ability to manipulate lighting have come a long way since 1949. Special effects can be used. But I come to this book with a still photographer's background and I'm thrilled to be able to use the information in both film and still photography.
   
   If you are prepared to take what is here and remember when this book was written, you'll find an abundance of riches. For those who like noir type photos or movies, you'll be thrilled when Alton discusses how to use weather to your advantage - whether that be rain, snow, fog, etc.
   
   Also, a confession: I prefer black and white photos and films - in many instances - so I was particularly delighted to read Alton's words about "rich blacks", two words that might not seem to be joined together - rich and black (and I'm not talking politics or class here). As most of us who work with visual effects know, there are shades of black and there are rich, deep tones as well as the infinite variations along the scale.
   
   I'll forever be baffled as to whether it is the shadows that set off the light or the other way round. But whatever your take, you can't go wrong by reading this book on how to paint with light - and whether you are a professional or amateur, I think you'll find your work benefits from the experience.
   
   Other subjects covered in this one: close-ups, aspects of outdoor photography, still photos (mentioned above), basic principles. When it comes to TECHNIQUE, if you think about what is discussed with a historical perspective, it will serve you well because some of the techniques have come a long way since then. Still, I found it very useful to pretend that some of those techniques didn't exist and it forced me to be more creative.
   
   Highly recommended!



3. Even though the subject of the book deals with B&W lighting effects for film and TV, as an artist, it helped me in creating paintings with better "moods" and making them more dynamic.



4. I think this book is an evergreen among books. "Romantic" way of writing covered by practical knowledge and techniques. I would recommend reading it.
   Especially for people doing CG this could open some new ways, ideas looks.



5. Was the perfect gift on Chritsmas ! My son is very happy!
   Shipppin in time! Good service.........
   Thank You AMAZON!

1 comments about Theatre: A Way of Seeing (with InfoTrac®).

1. Barranger gives a nice overview of contemporary theatre, with a natural emphasis on the American scene. Classical theatre is well described. But also recent, avant-garde troupes like the Las Vegas Blue Man Group get passing mention. You can cultivate an appreciation of the diversity in the theatrical world.
   
   The book is heavily integrated with InfoTrac and Wadworth's website. The latter gives the interested student many worthwhile resources that complement the text's narrative. These include academic journals and other publications. Well suited for graduate work or simply a deeper look at the subject.