There are some excellent books for actors who are interesting in learning more about the genre, increase their skill level, learn about history, learn different philosophies and techniques, to name a few.
Screen Acting books offer important screen techniques that are needed for the screen and film industry. These tips and tricks help actors know the industry inside out and how to better their acting performances.
The following books are what I consider to be the best screen acting books that I have personally read and recommend. They all have various points which they bring to the table for beginning and seasoned actors.
An Actor Prepares
Konstantin Stanislavski is probably the Western World’s grandfather of modern acting. He hails from Russia, from a wealthy family. He was able to pursue his passions and develop a school of thought and philosophy which is very pertinent in today’s acting techniques.
Many acting techniques have steemed from his world-renowned theater company called The Moscow Art Theater. He was instrumental in bringing Russian plays to Europe and the United States which have a lasting effect to this day. Sanford Miesner developed his techniques of Emotional Recall through his involvement.
He also wanted to move away from the very stylized way Russian and much of European Theater actors performed. He wanted more realisim in theater, hence him writing a number of books to give actors guidelines to aim towards.
He also developed the Stanislavski System which subjected his acting and direction to a rigorous process of artistic self-analysis and reflection.
Both his struggles with Chekhov’s drama (out of which his notion of subtext emerged) and his experiments with Symbolism encouraged greater attention to “inner action” and a more intensive investigation of the actor’s process. For an explanation of “inner action”, see Stanislavski (1957, 136)
This is a must read for any actor who is starting out or who needs to know where our modern day theater stories are told from. Now let’s take a look at the best screen acting books.
The following books are great starters and often utilized by Drama/Performing Arts schools and High school for their Drama programs.
-Chapters
- The First Test
- When Acting is an Art.
- Action
- Imagination
- Concentration of Attention
- Relaxation of Muscles
- Units and Objectives
- Faith and Sense of Truth
- Emotion Memory
- Communion
Guide to the Stanislavski method has long been a favorite among students and teachers of acting. Sonia Moore has made revisions that include a new section on the subtext of a role. She provides detailed explanations of all the methods that actors in training have found indispensable for more than twenty years.
This is a good book which defines Stanislavski’s work.
This book, teaches students about the”method acting”, realism, emotional recall. It does articulate the themes at a level that just about anyone can comprehend. The pictures and the brevity of the vocabulary make it an enticing read for students and teacher alike…
do yourself a favor – get this little gem and check out others in the series.
Great Screen Acting Books
The best screen acting books are those which truly transform your acting in ways which you can understand and apply.
This link takes you to Amazon’s Audible Books site to purchase this book. This is a great written by Patrick Tucker who explains how to work with the realities of a shoot and work from there toward the real. His step by step guide to the elements of effective screen acting is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field, containing over 50 acting exercises and the tried-and-tested screen acting checklist. It’s at the top of the list.
Michael Caine – Acting in Film: An Actor’s Take on Movie Making
He is a master actor and teacher who teachers the true skills of screen acting. One great tip is by keeping extremely still on camera, especially in close ups. This gives a person purchase and intrigue, combined with power. When one moves their eyes too much they lose the power needed to truly take the scene forward. This book is what I consider to be one of the better screen acting books.
This will take you to another page from Theaternook.com which shows you the best overall acting books reviews.
Auditioning and Acting for the Camera: Proven Techniques for Auditioning and Performing in Film, Episodic Tv, Sitcoms, Soap Operas, Commercials, etc
336 pages worth of acting gold tips and tricks. Actors have used this book successfully by breaking down the audition process for screen auditioning.
The book has practice exercises and gives you what to expects when you are filming on location.
The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera
The book offers a clear-cut, no-nonsense technique and equips aspiring or working actors with the necessary skills to succeed on camera. The technique teaches you how to build multi-dimensional characters; construct truthful and exciting relationships; ignite stimulating emotions; craft a series of discoveries guaranteed to energize the on screen camera performance.
Acting for the Camera
This very popular book has given new actors and veteran screen actors new ideas in how to be the best on screen acting. She clearly roots for the actors and gives actor insights into the industry and how to win a scene.
Acting Face to Face 2: How to Create Genuine Emotion For TV and Film (Language of the Face) (Volume 2)
You really are looking at body language and specifically facial expressions as well and micro-expressions. This book explains the nuances which help to portray a character accurately when filmed by the camera which is very different to theater and stage.
The Author’s Experience in Reading Screen Acting Books
I have had the pleasure of reading a wide variety of acting and performance books for both screen and theater. Using Stanislavski’s three first books and especially using some of the techniques of the Magic If, Circle of Attention, and to some degree, emotional recall has helped me as a beginning actor get to grips with and learning about techniques to help become a more confident and accomplished actor.
Books by the acting legend Michael Caine certainly gave me a good grasp of the difference between screen and the stage. With tips like holding eye contact which is focused and centered on one focal point, gives you more power than flitting from one eye to the other of a fellow actor.
I also believe that learning about body language and facial expressions are also very important in conveying the most congruent and believable performance, especially when acting for close ups on screen.
I also believe this to be true because I am also a body language reader in my other life and read actors and the public in general. My other channel is called The Dialogue and can be found on Youtube.
In Conclusion
Acting Books are a very valuable way of discerning the very best minds in terms of skills, expertise and abilities. From these great practitioners who have acquired these particular skills along the way, we as readers amass the relevant ideas pertinent to our practice as performers. By reading these books are other books related to our industry, we become wiser and more masterly as a result.
