The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor's Preparation Process
5/5
()
About this ebook
"The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process" is a short nonfiction work written by award-winning SAG/AFTRA actress, stuntwoman, scriptwriter, director, and producer, Marneen L. Fields. Marneen has been a student of the craft of acting for over forty years and is considered to be a specialist in both Konstantin Stanislavsky and Anton Chekhov methods of theatrical acting. Her "Illusive Craft of Acting" is a nuts and bolts approach to the craft of acting geared towards novice actors and directors to give them a solid foundation to work from as they chisel a shield made out of their talent to fight any rejecting foe they may encounter. By following the bullet points Marneen has learned along the way like dramatic structure, the words of dialogue, memorizing lines, the actor’s subtext, creating a character, a character’s relationships, environmental influences, and more beginning actors or directors can rest assured that they are on the right path towards developing a sure-fire craft they can depend on. After all, acting is an illusion and preparation the process of achieving that illusion. The first draft of the book was started around 1988, after 100 aspiring actors asked Marneen to teach them the craft of acting and asked her to tell them how to get a foothold in the entertainment industry she decided to release her technique in eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Marneen feels an actor should not stop until they have all the tools and knowledge needed to slide into the skin of the characters they’ll be portraying. A character that is only mere ink on a page until the actor steps in and gives that character three-dimensions and a soul. If you’re serious about becoming a brilliant actor with a strong craft start with Marneen L. Fields, "The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process," you'll be glad you did.
Since 1976 to present, Marneen Fields has appeared in over 150 films, television shows, web series, music videos, and theatrical productions. She was a top Hollywood stuntwoman and stunt actress from 1976 to 1991. She’s worked with many A-list producers, directors, and stars like Clint Eastwood, Stanley Kramer, Irwin Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Priscilla Presley, Shirley Jones, Patrick Duffy, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Carter, Bruce Boxleitner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Michelle Phillips, James Garner, and many more. She has studied acting and directing at major universities, with Hollywood casting directors, and with celebrity acting coaches: Jeff Corey, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; and Victor French (son-in-law to the great Lee J. Cobb), and Co-star on two Emmy winning TV series with Michael Landon, "Highway to Heaven" and "Little House on the Prairie." Marneen is the CEO, executive producer, and creative director of award-winning Heavenly Waterfall Productions Company. For more please see herIMDB page at, http://www.com/name/nm0276312
Marneen L Fields
Since 1976 to present, Marneen Fields has appeared in over 150 films, television shows, web series, music videos, and theatrical productions. She was a top Hollywood stuntwoman and stunt actress from 1976 to 1991. She’s worked with many A-list producers, directors, and stars like Clint Eastwood, Stanley Kramer, Irwin Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Priscilla Presley, Shirley Johns, Patrick Duffy, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Carter, Bruce Boxleitner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Michelle Phillips, James Garner, and many more. She has studied acting and directing with celebrity acting coaches, Jeff Corey Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Victor French (son-in-law to the great Lee J. Cobb), and Co-star on two Emmy winning TV series with Michael Landon Highway to Heaven and Little House on the Prairie. She's taken many casting director workshops and college courses on acting also. Today she is the CEO, executive producer, and creative director of award-winning Heavenly Waterfall Productions Company. For more please see Marneen’s IMDB page at, http://www.com/name/nm0276312
Related to The Illusive Craft of Acting
Related ebooks
The Actor's Survival Kit: Fifth Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Succeed in Hollywood without really Acting: Practical inspirational insider secrets to achieving your potential Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsActing Is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook For A Successful Career In Los Angeles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Acting for Film (Second Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Camera Smart Actor Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5THE AUDITION BIBLE: Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Screen Acting Trade Secrets: How to Succeed in Hollywood Without Really Acting Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConquering the Film and Television Audition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How To Get Into Acting: Your Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Into Acting Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings7 Deadly Sins - The Actor Overcomes: Business of Acting Insight By the Founder of the Actors’ Network Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Pillars Acting: A Comprehensive Technique for the Modern Actor Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Actorpreneur Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsActing and How to Be Good at It: The Second Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsActing Is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook For A Successful Career Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Actor's Encyclopedia of Casting Directors: Conversations with Over 100 Casting Directors on How to Get the Job Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Field Guide to Actor Training Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sanford Meisner Approach: Workbook Two, Emotional Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An Actor Succeeds: Tips, Secrets & Advice on Auditioning, Connection, Coping & Thriving In & Out of Hollywood Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDirector Actor Coach: Solutions for Director/Actor Challenges Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Actor Rehearses: What to Do When and Why Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Sanford Meisner Approach: Workbook Three, Tackling the Text Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Acting Is a Job: Real Life Lessons about the Acting Business Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAct ALIVE: The Essential Guide to Igniting and Sustaining Your Working Actor Career Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsActor's Alchemy: Finding the Gold in the Script Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Acting That Matters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBack to the Body: Infusing Physical Life into Characters in Theatre and Film Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Truth About Acting: How Acting and Spirituality Fuse to Propel You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsActing in LA: How to Become a Working Actor in Hollywood Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Acting by Mistake Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLights! Camera! Acting!: The Art, Craft and Business of Film and Television Acting Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Industries For You
Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uncanny Valley: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5YouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video I Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe to Turn your Passion into Profit Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business & Beyond Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living From Your Creativity Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Eleventh Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting into the Dark: How to Write a Novel Without an Outline: WMG Writer's Guides, #6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary and Analysis of The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals 1: Based on the Book by Michael Pollan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExcellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5YouTube 101: The Ultimate Guide to Start a Successful YouTube channel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower's Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shopify For Dummies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for The Illusive Craft of Acting
1 rating1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING: AN ACTOR'S PREPARATION PROCESS by Marneen L. Fields is a highly informative guidebook and must have reference for both acting novices and seasoned professionals. An entertainment industry veteran of four decades, the multi-faceted Marneen Fields was a top Hollywood stuntwoman from 1976 to 1991, has appeared in over 150 movies, TV shows, stage productions, music videos and web series, and worked with the likes of Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Dick Van Dyke, Jeff Goldblum and many other A-list talents. Marneen has also studied with renowned acting coaches Jeff Corey and Victor French and is considered to be a specialist in the Stanislavsky and Chekhov methods of theatrical acting. In THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING, Marneen shares invaluable advice on how to prepare oneself for the thespian world in a clear, straightforward and honest manner. She stresses that it is particularly important for all actors, regardless of experience, to know your lines, characters and scripts inside out. Even if you think you’re prepared – rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. And not only memorising, but investigating all aspects of your characters and well and truly breathing life into them is a sure-fire way to stand out from the pack. Marneen provides hints and tips which she’s learned and successfully put into practice herself during her long-running career to achieve this. Above all, Marneen emphasises that in order to become both a resilient and formidable talent in the often cut-throat world of showbiz, he or she must build “a fortress of the strongest foundation you can build packed with the knowledge of script breakdown, character creation, line memorization techniques, intentions, gestures, postures, focal points, blocking, audition stills, camera techniques, dialect, make-up, hair and wardrobe, pacing, timing, and more.” Marneen’s book will help not only put into place these foundations, it will also provide the tools to cement them into an unbreakable tower of strength. An essential publication containing information that’s both easy to read and absorb, THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING: AN ACTOR'S PREPARATION PROCESS is a standout work of this topic which will undoubtably have those in the performing arts world, or even anyone considering this vocation, referring to it time and time again.
Book preview
The Illusive Craft of Acting - Marneen L Fields
THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF
ACTING
An Actor’s Preparation Process
By
Marneen L. Fields
The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process
Copyright © 2020 Marneen L. Fields. All rights reserved.
Cover Design by John Harrison
ISBN: 9781655690006 (paperback)
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or email, except for inclusion in a review without written permission from the author or publisher. While we have made all attempts to verify the information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter herein.
This book is an independent work of research, training, study, and commentary by the author. It is for entertainment purposes only, and is not authorized, endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with any of the filmmakers, performers, writers, and studios discussed in this work. All uses of names, images, and likeness of celebrities and all other individuals, and all copyrights and trademarks referenced in this book, are for editorial purposes only and are pursuant to the Fair Use Doctrine. The views and techniques expressed are those of the author alone and should not be taken as expert instruction or commands. The views and opinions of individuals quoted in this book do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
The promotional photos and publicity materials reproduced herein are from the author’s private collection (unless otherwise noted), and are Copyrighted by their respective owners. These images date from the original release of the films, TV shows, theatrical productions, web series, etc., and were released to media outlets for publicity purposes and are in the public domain.
The reader is responsible for his or her own actions. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international, federal, state, and local governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising, and all other aspects of doing business in the US, Canada, or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the purchaser or reader. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on behalf of the purchaser or reader of these materials. Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely unintentional.
Marneen L. Fields
Award-Winning Scriptwriter, Actress, and Director
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Chapter 1. Dramatic Structure 9
Chapter 2. The Words of Dialogue 13
Chapter 3. The Actor’s Subtext 21
Film and Primetime TV Photos 24
Chapter 4. Memorizing Lines 34
Chapter 5. What is Character? 43
Chapter 6. Creating a Character 47
Chapter 7. Character Reactions 53
Chapter 8. Creating a Character’s Relationships 55
Chapter 9. Environmental Influences 57
Chapter 10. Scene Pacing 63
Chapter 11. Conclusion 65
Chapter 12. Marketing Yourself as an Actor 68
Chapter 13. Theatrical Productions 70
Special Notes 75
Introduction
Born to act? No matter what age you’re bitten by that ferocious yet funny thing called the acting bug be prepared to live the impossible dream. To learn how to fight off the unbeatable foe known as rejection with a shield of craft chiseled out of your many talents. Just make sure your shield covers and protects your heart at all times because to survive in Hollywood or on the stage, you need to be made of much more than mere flesh and bones. Heed the warning Elton John taught us in his heartfelt tribute to icon Marilyn Monroe in Candle in the Wind, Loneliness was tough, the toughest role you ever played. Hollywood created a superstar and pain was the price you paid.
Graced with that knowledge, get your talent in the ring and come out swinging at the sound of the bell, giving your greatest one-two punch at every audition and performance.