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How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You: Expert advice on acting technique, script analysis and taking risks.
Making an audience fall in love with you. That is what great acting is all about--no matter whether you're in a casting room, on stage, in film or on television. In How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love with You, you'll find out how to go beyond the obvious, make exciting choices and unleash your most exciting self in every role. From Shakespeare to soap operas, in How to Make you Audience Fall in Love with You, veteran acting coach Deryn Warren helps you make the best of any script. Her analysis of scenes from such hits as When Harry Met Sally, The Green Mile and the Hours will show you how to take big risks, perfect your technique and rise above the competition. You will take your acting to a new level--whether you're a working professional or just starting out. You'll get the first job and keep getting hired because casting directors will fall in love with you too.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2013
135 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 20, 2021
I'm a full-time actor who doesn't get a ton of opportunities to stretch his muscles, and I was looking for some ways to stay fresh and maybe some new insights to inspire further growth. I turned to this book due to its high rating.
For newbie actors -- those who are literally just this moment deciding to be actors -- maybe there's value here. And I found a handful of decent insights to stay sharp. But overall, I'm truly astonished by the quality of the advice here.
This author states a lot of super hard-and-fast rules like they're unassailable truth, which casts doubt on the provenance of her wisdom. She discounts wholesale certain character traits like stupidity and whininess and all but insists that there isn't such a thing as overacting.
The distinctions between stage and filmed acting she dismisses as nearly nonexistent, when I can tell you the difference is vast and one of the reasons my transition from stage to film was so long and laborious. It's a whole different skill set.
She insists she will teach you "The Technique" for laughing out loud. Here is her instruction in its entirety. "Practice laughing in front of the mirror. See what looks funny. See if you look natural. Learn to laugh without motivation at the drop of a hat." This...is not proper instruction. That last sentence sounds almost like a joke. She just promised to teach this skill, and her advice consists of "learn this skill."
I really started to get annoyed with the book near the end when she writes, "Only actors take swigs from a liquor bottle. Even the most ardent alcoholics use a glass." Speaking as a (deeply grateful) recovering alcoholic, this is absolute hogwash.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the book wasn't even written by the author, but is an excerpt by Michael Shurtleff on how to rehearse. This short segment at the end provided more practical advice than the entire book that precedes it.
I do not recommend this to anyone except those who have just started and are only looking to test the waters.
For newbie actors -- those who are literally just this moment deciding to be actors -- maybe there's value here. And I found a handful of decent insights to stay sharp. But overall, I'm truly astonished by the quality of the advice here.
This author states a lot of super hard-and-fast rules like they're unassailable truth, which casts doubt on the provenance of her wisdom. She discounts wholesale certain character traits like stupidity and whininess and all but insists that there isn't such a thing as overacting.
The distinctions between stage and filmed acting she dismisses as nearly nonexistent, when I can tell you the difference is vast and one of the reasons my transition from stage to film was so long and laborious. It's a whole different skill set.
She insists she will teach you "The Technique" for laughing out loud. Here is her instruction in its entirety. "Practice laughing in front of the mirror. See what looks funny. See if you look natural. Learn to laugh without motivation at the drop of a hat." This...is not proper instruction. That last sentence sounds almost like a joke. She just promised to teach this skill, and her advice consists of "learn this skill."
I really started to get annoyed with the book near the end when she writes, "Only actors take swigs from a liquor bottle. Even the most ardent alcoholics use a glass." Speaking as a (deeply grateful) recovering alcoholic, this is absolute hogwash.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the book wasn't even written by the author, but is an excerpt by Michael Shurtleff on how to rehearse. This short segment at the end provided more practical advice than the entire book that precedes it.
I do not recommend this to anyone except those who have just started and are only looking to test the waters.
December 7, 2025
Deryn Warren’s How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You is a masterclass in the art of acting, offering both aspiring and professional actors practical tools to elevate their performances. Warren expertly combines script analysis, acting technique, and risk-taking strategies into a guide that is as engaging as it is informative. Her examples, drawn from iconic scenes in films like When Harry Met Sally, The Green Mile, and The Hours, provide actionable insights that empower actors to make bold, dynamic choices that captivate audiences.
The book’s strength lies in Warren’s ability to break down complex acting concepts into clear, digestible lessons while emphasizing the emotional and personal connection required for truly compelling performances. Her passion for guiding actors to unlock their full potential shines throughout, making this a must-read for anyone serious about their craft. How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You is both inspiring and practical, ensuring actors not only understand technique but also how to make their performances unforgettable
The book’s strength lies in Warren’s ability to break down complex acting concepts into clear, digestible lessons while emphasizing the emotional and personal connection required for truly compelling performances. Her passion for guiding actors to unlock their full potential shines throughout, making this a must-read for anyone serious about their craft. How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You is both inspiring and practical, ensuring actors not only understand technique but also how to make their performances unforgettable
October 15, 2020
Just excellent
Excellent book for aspiring actors. Plenty of examples and advice. Real insights. And no fluff and nonsense. A fantastic and enthralling read.
Excellent book for aspiring actors. Plenty of examples and advice. Real insights. And no fluff and nonsense. A fantastic and enthralling read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews