Acting Action

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Introduction

Part 1: Context

Chapter 1. The Space Between
The Essence of Acting
The Beautiful Game of Acting
Ma
Acting is Like Love
When the Penny Drops
Dissolving the Ego
Daily Self & Artistic Self
Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 2. Acting is Action
The Two Actions
The Script & Invisible Action
Performance & Visible Action
Nomenclature
Feelings
Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 3. Acting Defined
Living
Verisimilitude
Believably vs. Truthfully
Imaginary Circumstances
The 'As if..."
Precise Repeatability
The 'What'
The 'How'
Complete Spontaneity
The River of Action
Chapter 3 Summary

Chapter 4. Playing Action
The Action
The Objective
The Need
The Event
The Super-Objective (Hopes & Dreams)
Play's the thing...
Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 5. Sculptors of Energy
Lifeforce
Attention
Paying Attention
Talent is a Lifestyle
Properties of Thought
Targets of Attention
Curiosity
Sourcing
The Release
The Allowing
Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter 6. Deeper Not Wider
Intimate Harmony
The Cost
Artistic Love
Courage
Landscapes of Paradox
Perception
Reception
Chapter 6 Summary

Part 2: Practice

Chapter 7. Invisible Action - Cognitive Analysis (Preparation)
Reading the Script (or Becoming Event Detectives)
The Arc of Action
The Five questions
Coming from some place

Chapter 8. Visible Action - Physical Analysis (Rehearsal)
Études, Actions and the Event
Action and Counter Action
The Obstacle
Sourcing Your Scene Partner
Sourcing Images
Evaluation
Relationships

Chapter 9. Advice from the Front
Unconscious Competence (or forgetting technique)
Loving the plateau
The Beginner's Mind (or remaining an eternal student)
Confidence and Antifragility
Fail Better
Objective Observation
Luck
Role vs. Character
Character vs. Characterization
Competition
Frustration (the first sign of creativity)
Attention vs. Concentration
Creative Individuality & Interpretation
Birds and Frogs
On Being Sexy...
The Label Libel
Finding the Right Teacher
Gratitude

10. Epilogue

Bibliography
Notes
Index
About the Author