The actor's field guide: Acting notes on the run

by Ed Hooks

From a veteran actor, teacher, and author, here is a quick-reference guide aimed at working actors. Got a funny scene that doesn't seem very funny? Look up "comedy." Got a scene in which you're supposed to cry? Look up "cry." Each entry includes a brief introduction to the topic, followed by several pages of short, bulleted tips or "field notes" that offer quick solutions to any acting problem. In addition, there are brief essays throughout that expand on some of the trickier aspects of the actor's craft. Edgy, concise, and infinitely helpful, no working actor will want to be without this one-of-a-kind guide. There are 100,000 members in actors unions in the US, with a 50% turnover Unique quick reference guide for busy actors Advice on everything from rehersals to auditioning and memorizing lines Author has trained thousands of actors, including Heather Locklear and Teri Hatcher Advertising in Back Stage magazine

Unknown Binding

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Ed Hooks is a professional actor, acting coach, and writer. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous commercials and television shows.

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this pocket guide: it's full of insightful tips from an 'old pro', covering a broad range of topics including: why you should keep your range of acting-related interests broad, emotions and crying on stage, dealing with interpersonal differences, accepting the variety of roles you will have to take, and so on. Each topic is accompanied by appropriate anecdotes and is styled like actual audition notes, so you're never confused about what the points mean, and each anecdote is proven to have real-world value.

This is not an acting textbook, and indeed the only unsatisfactory part is that on acting 'styles' because of course it can never be inclusive in such a 'pocket' book. But this is highly recommended for the up-and-coming actor looking for some tips on everything from character creation to performance.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes good bathroom reading. Useful for writers. Some quotable lines, too.