Acting from the Intellect : An Acting Method for Actors Who Use Their Mind

by Nathan Clarkson

Acting is a worthy art form that revolves around thesbians taking on complex characters in compelling stories to bring to life a narative that has the power to touch our hearts and souls. But when it comes to learning the craft of acting, so often the most popular methods taught to actors throughout the years have proven to be innafective, inconsistent, or sometimes even dangerous. The methods given might work in a classroom, but on an actual set or stage they prove unhelpful as they revolve almost entirley around creating an emotional response that is often impossible to either achieve or replicate under the demanding circumstances a professional actor will find themsleves in.

In Acting From The Intellect, author and award winning actor Nathan Clarkson, details his own method that he's fomulated and employed throughout his career. It's a method that doesn't root from fickle and uncontrable emotions but rather the reliable base of the mind. Nathan guides actors through elements of psychology, philosophy, and socilogy, to mentally build a more full and useful understanding of the characters we will be called to play, which ultiamtely will lead to more honest and connective perfomrances.

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2024

About the author

Nathan Clarkson is an award winning actor, best-selling author, indie filmmaker, podcast philosopher, and member of the well-known and beloved Clarkson Family.

As an actor, Nathan has appeared in numerous national commercials, many TV-shows like NBC’s Community, and multiple major feature films like Universal’s The Purge.

As a filmmaker Nathan’s original movies have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pureflix and more. With his company, Clarkson Creations, Nathan has produced such indie hits as Confessions of a Prodigal Son, The Unlikely Good Samaritan, Miracle on Highway 34, and most recently Don’t Know Jack, featuring Hollywood stars and Oscar Nominated actors. Nathan’s next project, Bright Sky, an Americana romance movie, is currently in development.

As an author, Nathan’s signature memoir-esque style, filled with thought and reflections on various topics, can be found in multiple books. His first book Different; a personal memoir of stories of and thoughts on growing up with a nuerodivergent mind and mental illness, quickly became a national best seller after an interview on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Since, Nathan has written books Good Man, The Way of King’s, and children’s picture books, Only You Can Be You and the The Clubhouse. Nathan’s most recent book Finding God in Hollywood is out now.

Nathan is the co-host of the popular podcast The Overthinkers “Having fun thinking deeply”. The podcast covers topics of faith, philosophy, culture, creativity, and the big questions of life. The program features a host of influential and interesting guests and boasts over 100k downloads.

Nathan’s words have been featured and quoted in outlets like The LA Times, Variety, The Gazette, Publisher's Weekly, World Magazine, Religion Unplugged, and more.

Nathan lives with his wife Keelia Clarkson and his golden retriever, Darcy, between the lights of Los Angeles, the streets of New York City, and the wilds Colorado Springs.