Actor's Field Guide: Notes on the Run Book

	Acknowledgments	IV
	How to Use This Guide	XII
Chapter 1	Audition	1
	First Impressions	4
	Preparation	6
	What to Bring to the Audition	7
	What to Wear	7
	Confidence	9
	Dealing with Nerves	10
	Selecting Audition Material	12
	Presenting Your Monologue	14
	Reading from the Script	17
	Callback Strategies	18
	Commercials	19
	Body Language	20
	The Casting Couch	22
	Handling a Request for Nudity	22
	Voice Projection	24
	Accents	25
	Laughter	25
	Kissing	26
Chapter 2	Rehearsal	27
	Approaching the Script	32
	Sticking to the Script	34
	Stage Directions	34
	Memorizing Lines	35
	Working on Accents	36
	Line Readings	36
	Getting Along with the Other Actors	37
	Rehearsal Dress	37
	Props	38
	Adrenaline	39
	Rehearsing Fight Scenes	39
	Playwrights	40
	When the Playwright is Present	42
	Directing	42
	Getting in Touch With Your Inner Animal	42
	Using the Other Characters' Lines	43
	Playing Crazy	43
	Playing a Racist	44
	Playing a Suicidal Character	44
	Playing a Child-like Character	44
	Third-Person Perspective	45
	Time Period	45
	Religion	45
	Smoking	46
	Exposing the Character	46
	Being Yourself	47
	Imposing Yourself on Your Character	48
	Respecting Your Character	51
	Sexual Orientation	52
	Using Your Experiences	52
	Evolutionary Psychology	53
	Playing Shakespeare	54
	Masculine and Feminine	55
Chapter 3	Playing the Scene	57
	Playing an Action	59
	Raising the Stakes	61
	Emotions	62
	Anger	64
	Emotional Experience	65
	Acting with the Heart	67
	Loss of Control	68
	Being in the Moment	69
	Beginning in the Middle	70
	Justifying	71
	Multitasking	72
	Laughter	72
	Comedy	73
	Crying	75
	Working with Opposites	77
	The Audience	77
	Getting Beneath the Literal	80
	Relating to Your Scene Partner	82
	Taking Risks	85
	Creating Atmosphere	87
	Substitution	90
	Being Specific	90
	Conflict	93
	Negotiating	95
	Projection	95
	Voice	96
	Body Language	96
	Enjoying Yourself	97
	Self-Monitoring	98
	Switching Actions and Objectives	98
	Indicating	99
	Mistakes	102
	Dealing with Reality	102
	Opening Night	104
	Acting While You're Sick	104
	Sexual Situations	104
	Eating on Stage	105
	Alcohol	106
	Playing Drunk	107
	Smoking on Stage	108
	Eye Contact	108
	Lying	108
	Conveying Need	109
	Kissing	109
	Breakup Scene	110
	Negotiating Status	111
	Acting with Your Body	111
	Portraying Anxiety	112
	Nudity	112
	Further Thoughts	112
Chapter 4	Acting in Film	115
	Stepping into the Shot	117
	Crossing to Your Mark	117
	Continuity	118
	Close-ups	119
	Fitting into the Frame of the Shot	121
	Sound	122
	Tracking Shots	123
	Steadicam	123
	Starting and Stopping	124
	Reactions	124
	The Cinematographer	126
	Role Models	126
Chapter 5	Career Strategies	127
	Theatrical Publications	131
	Performing Unions	131
	Training	132
	Photos	133
	Resume	135
	Talent Agents	137
	Residuals	139
	Working with a Bad Script	139
	Role Models	140
	Cutting Class	141
	Finding Your "Type"	141
	Commercials	142
	Internet Databases	143
	Casting Director Workshops	143
	Modeling Conventions	144
	Hollywood	144
	New York	145
	Chicago	145
	Getting Along with Others	145
	Community Theater	146
	Casting Calls	147
	Appearance	148
	Dealing with Rejection	149
	Breaking the Rules	150
	Selling Yourself	150
	Making Ends Meet	151
	Voice-overs	152
	Working in Cartoons	153
	Turning Down a Role	153
	Reality Shows	154
	Having Opinions	154
	Right-to-Work Laws	155
	Character Actors	156
	English as a Second Language	156
	Bad Reviews	157
	Beta Blockers	157
	Getting Fired	157
	Quitting	158
	Further Reading	159
	Index	166
	About the Author	178