Verdad: Necesidades, errores y persona pública en el arte de la formación del actor y la construcción del personaje

by Susan Batson, Amado Diéguez (translator)

Stanislavski, Strasberg, Meisner, Adler, Berghoff, Hagen, Mamet . . . now Batson. In TRUTH, the most sought after acting guru in Hollywood and on Broadway distills her half century's experience as an actor, director, teacher, and personal coach into a step by step process for creating a character from first read-through to final performance. Debunking a century's worth of myths about "method acting," Batson identifies the unifying forces of Need, Public Persona, and Tragic Flaw to unite the actor with his or her character. TRUTH shows how actively defining and understanding these three principles leads to the most truthful performances possible. A must-read for beginning actors, a wake-up call for working actors, and an indispensable reference for writers, TRUTH reveals the inner game of telling stories and creating vivid, three-dimensional life from words on a page.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2007

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I started taking acting lessons (they're going great, thanks!) and this was one of the required texts. And I had been going to class and doing exercises and it was going well, but when I read this book, I was like, Ooooooh!

Batson is a really interesting character herself. She cuts right to the quick, but she also seems to be very compassionate. The work itself is compassionate and humane. She talks about being completely in the character, not judging or having any distance at all, which is a tremendously compassionate, empathetic position.

She gives examples from plays and movies, and guides the reader through the necessary exercises for finding your own Public Persona, Need, and Tragic Flaw and those of your character, how to create your character history, how to read and notate your script. There are also exercises in the back to do on your own. I haven't tried those yet.

I read this book really quickly because I was so excited about it, and I am looking forward to reading it again more slowly.

[Tiffany Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another take on method acting or more accurately a combination of rewritten methodology and name dropping. There were segments I found interesting, such as her comments on improvisation in scenes, but most of the book seemed a long-form ad on why her classes are great and the famous people she has worked with.

The human aspects of some large names as reflected in there stories provided a little insight, but I stepped away from the book unimpressed. If you have taken an acting class and read any of the takes on method acting (Stanislavsky, Hagen, Adler) this is not necessarily the book for you. Her classes may be great but her book is simply her credentials as a teacher rewritten.

Not impressed.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like so many acting books, they all urge you to find the truth of your character to tell the story the writer intended. They all speak a particular language and use terms to help you understand how to interpret your character. I want to read every single one of them and I’m so glad I read Susan Batson’s book! Several sentences and quotes stood out for me. I had to pause, reread them and nod in agreement. My only worry is that if I ever meet and study with her, that I won’t be as good a student or actor, that I’ll be the weakest one there. I’d have to reread the whole book but most importantly, I’d have to study this method to perfect my instrument.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and inspiring!

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational

It's everything you can really hope to learn about acting in an easy to read book. Great foundational principles for all types of actors, beginner to advanced.

[Tina Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Master Teacher, Susan Batson, breaks down the necessity of finding the essence of every character. Truth is magnificent and a must read for every actor.

[Kieran Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read, there were certainly parts that I will take with me and utilise in my acting but as usual sometimes method acting goes a little too far for my liking. I was quite shocked when one actor stated that using (I believe) affective memory in preparing for a part it was painful and made her upset. It may seem weird to the extreme actors but acting should be fun. There are still many interesting exercises and practices that I will be taking from this book.

[Tamara Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to put everything I’ve read in practice! Both the stories and practicality are all things I am inspired by. One of my favourite books on the art of acting !

[LPF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disagreed with a lot of it, agreed with a lot of it, will use some of it.