No Acting Please: A Revolutionary Approach to Acting and Living

by Eric Morris

A collection of 125 acting exercises that are based on journal excerpts and dialogues from Mr. Morris' classes. These exercises teach the actor to systematically eliminate his or her instrumental obstacles -- tensions, fears, inhibitions -- and explore the "being" state, where the actor does no more and no less than what he or she feels.As the title indicates, many of the techniques herein address the actor's need to avoid falling into the traps of concept and presentational acting. There is also a complete chapter on sense memory -- what it is, and how to practice it and apply it as an acting tool.Co-authored by Joan Hotchkis, and with a Foreword by Jack Nicholson.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre, Art, Film, Drama

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1979

Reviews

[Enzo Silva · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't see what the fuss is all about. an acting coach that lives up to tge expectations that some people in the business think they have to be jerks to be successful. Insulting a professional to elicit an emotion is not my cup of tea.
sensualizing with objects? OK. Just show up on set, know your stuff, interact as himan beings would (or whatever it is you're playing) WITH the other actors... why torture yourself psychologically to get to an end result?

[Christopher Hedges · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a must read for all actors. It came VERY highly recommended from a seasoned casting director and acting coach whose class I used to attend. Kathy exclusively teaches her version of the Eric Morris process, and all of his books are required reading.

I don't consider this a book. I consider it a tool that is part of a toolbox for any truly serious actors. It is filled with great exercises to help you hone your craft.

I would not recommend this book to an acting hobbyist.

[Jackie Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good exercises for scene paartners and for getting in touch with yourself before a performance. I would love to take a class with Eric mOrris!

[Bharat Sikri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book . Wanted to quote a line from the book “ To be or not to be , that is the Question and the Answer “

[Sam Gurvinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and practical book in the business .
Every film and theatre actor should read this one.

[Karoline · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find the book outdated and poorly written. It is not well organized, and gives the impression of beeing written over a very short amount of time. As far as acting books go, this is not by far any of the best out there. If you want a book on acting, in stead of this one check out the works of Stella Adler, Sandford Meisner or Ivana Chubbuck. They are more understandable, and just better.

[Glenn Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older book but very good. Eric Morris simplifies and demystifies the quiet approach needed for film acting. The book is straightforward and easy to read. Definitely worth having on your shelf.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I studied with Eric Morris in the 1970s and his methods and theory of performance were helpful and liberating. Highly recommended.

[Yasemin]

Awakening. Useful exercises.

[Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of exercises and examples of how to reach that natural state that every actor wants to get to. Some of which have become staple exercise in my daily practice.

[Maddy Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I would need this taught to me instead of reading it.

[McKenzie Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for practicing exercises

[Serah Metpalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not a one-time read. I will need to keep referring to this and practicing over time.

[Yehia aboLnaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

واحد من أهم الكتب اللى بتتكلم على منهج يعتبر الأهم والاكثر معاصرة .. الكتاب كتب المقدمة ليه العبقري جاك نيكلسون وبيناقش مدرسة التمثيل الطبيعى اللى بيقدمها فى شكل تطبيقى و نظرى اريك موريس ..صحيح المدرسة دى اتكلم عنها كتير زى مايزنر لكن الكتاب ده قيم و دقيق لدرجة كبيرة لأنه مش بس بيناقش طريقة التمثيل الطبيعية بتدريبات عملية لكن كمان بيتكلم باستفاضة عن المشكلات اللى بتواجه الممثلين زى التوتر و فارد لها مساحة من الحلول ..
الكتاب ترجمه للعربية الراحل المبدع دكتور سامى صلاح الاستاذ السابق بأكاديمية الفنون بالمعهد العالى للفنون المسرحية وللأسف هو النسخة الوحيدة المترجمة للعربية و يحمل اسم " لا تمثيل من فضلكم " وكان ليا حظ اقتنى إحدى النسخ من مكتبة الاكاديمية أثناء دراستى
الكتاب مهم جدا وهو أول الكتب اللى برشحها لاى حد مهتم بثقل موهبته و التعرف على مدارس متنوعة فى فن التمثيل لان بشوف أنه من مهارات الممثل الواعى أنه يكون عنده المعرفة العملية باكتر من منهج ومدرسة فى التمثيل ويكون قادر يستخدم المنهج و الطريقة المناسبة لكل دور بيتعرض عليه وحسب ملابسات الدور على الورق و الظروف اللى حوالين العمل ككل من مخرج لظروف إنتاجية وغيره ..
زى ما منهج ستانسلافسكى هو المنهج الأساسى و المنبع الرئيسى لكل المدارس اللى بعده و اللى انسلخت منه سواء بالاعتراض عليه أو التطوير ليه لكنه هيظل الأساس الدراسى لفن التمثيل و اللى مهم الفنان الواعى ميكتفيش بيه و يعرف المناهج الأخرى اللى ظهرت وتطورت بعده ..

[Daniela Telefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Foi um bom livro. Não foi nada extraordinário nem me fez ver as coisas de outra maneira mas fez-me perceber que tenho ainda muita coisa por trabalhar. A maioria do livro são exercícios para fazer e o resto foca muito no being, é um livro básico mas muito útil, seja para quem está a começar ou para quem precisa revisitar a essência do que é o acting.
Acho que a coisa que mais me ficou deste livro foi sem dúvida o trabalho do próprio ego e como muitas vezes sem perceber ele pode interferir no teu trabalho.

[Alyssa Riha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so far the best book i have read from acting while being away from an acting class. This filled me with joy, with passion for acting that I sometimes lose sight of. Loved it. Will definitely be circling back to take some of these exercises.

“To be or not to be, that is the question… and answer!”

[Mohit Tripathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book to understand the process of being.

[Evan Daigle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now to practice what I have learned and accept my Oscar.

[Mahshid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jason recommended this and it is interesting, I can't seem to hold interest long enough to read it straight threw just random and not for much longer.

[Melissa]

melissa