Reviews for Tips II: More Ideas for Actors, Vol. 2

The average rating for Tips II: More Ideas for Actors, Vol. 2 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-05-14 00:00:00 Kevin Waters More of a reference book than a simple piece of literature on acting; this book provides a practical approach to the various techniques followed in Method Acting in the Western Theater. Having read Stanislavsky before (An Actor Prepares), I could clearly see the practicality imposed by the author in this book. Edward Dwight Easty, a student of the legendary Method teacher Lee Strasberg, has written a book which introduces you to the various techniques of Method Acting that can be easily grasped by a young actor and at the same time can be useful for an experienced actor. This is not a perfect book having all solutions to an actor's problems as it is impossible to put in words the infinite prospects about acting that an actor can explore. This is why much has been left for the actor to discover on his own with a pointer to the right direction. The good thing about this book is that it has enough examples and anecdotes to make it interesting for reader. The passages about the work put in by actors who played Willy Loman being my favorite (for personal reasons!). This is a book that can be read in any order (not necessary to read the chapters in a serial order) and hence can be referenced by an actor at any time when facing a problem. Again, the solution may not be there but you'll most probably have a better idea to go about it. In fact, this book can be read and re-read quite regularly by a 'working actor' to improve his skills using the exercises described in this book. The most important thing an actor can learn out of this book is how to keep it real on stage, which should always be the aim for an actor and which has been stressed upon in all the chapters of this book. However, I felt that the dogmatic views of the author in favor of 'The Method' in theater and his quite evident personal vendetta against other forms of acting can be quite irritating at times while reading it. A certain 'method' that may work for an actor, may not work for another actor. The writing is also little difficult to understand at times for a book that aims at simplifying the Method to an actor. Having said that, this is a brilliant book for an actor who is looking to know what the mysterious 'Method' is all about.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-11-11 00:00:00 Joseph Hardisty I first gave this book four stars and then I changed it to five because I realized it gave me everything I expect to get out of it and then some. It didn't have to be entertaining, but it actually was very informative thus engrossing. Dwight was very loyal to Stanislavsky and has meticulously exercised the teachings of Stanislavsky in the book. It stresses the importance of self insight,perceptiveness, and the concern and search of truth. I think anyone can benefit from this book.