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Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation
Everyone has known the feeling of being present. Babies and toddlers live there almost constantly. Great performers work in this state. Great athletes win in it. Great teachers teach in it. Every great communicator speaks from this place. It is when fully present that we do our best work and make our deepest impression on others. In her years as an acting coach, Patsy Rodenburg has discovered the secrets to that elusive quality actors call 'it'.There are three basic ways human energy moves between people and you can be in any one of the 'three circles' in any situation. In the first, your focus is purely inward, in the third, all your energy is moving outward. In the second you are focused, you give energy out and you receive it. You communicate spontaneously and listen well, you are generous and people are generous in return. And by working on your breath, posture, voice, language, listening skills, focus, courage and trust you can access the second circle on a daily basis. From difficult presentations or meetings to flirting to getting good service, your work, relationships, spirituality and passions will all benefit.
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First published May 31, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 22, 2022
Books about acting and the industry
recommended by Spotlight staff.
Time spent sitting with a book is never wasted. It’s a chance to relax, contemplate, and absorb information entirely at your own pace. When we have time on our hands it’s also an opportunity to branch out and learn more about any number of topics.
There is a vast array of fantastic stories to learn from, be they from fellow performers, teachers, theatre-makers or people who can shine a light on what happens behind the scenes. We've read quite a few of them so we thought we'd share some of our book recommendations with you! Not only are these titles a great read, but you may also learn something that could help your career too.
Books by Performers
1. Character Breakdown by Zawe Ashton
2. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine
3. Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
4. Behind the Scenes by Judi Dench
5. What's My Motivation? by Michael Simkins
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Behind the Scenes Books
1. Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Nicholas Hytner
2. Quentin Tarantino: Interviews
3. The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman: My Life as Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman and Other Movies by Vic Armstrong
Books about Acting Techniques and Tips
1. Stella Adler: The Art of Acting by Howard Kissel
2. Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation by Patsy Rodenburg
3. Secrets of Performing Confidence: For Musicians, Singers, Actors and Dancers by Andrew Evans
4. A Life-coaching Approach to Screen Acting by Daniel Dresner
5. Surviving Hollywood: How to Ensure the Acting Industry Doesn't Chew You Up and Spit You Out by Julia Farino
recommended by Spotlight staff.
Time spent sitting with a book is never wasted. It’s a chance to relax, contemplate, and absorb information entirely at your own pace. When we have time on our hands it’s also an opportunity to branch out and learn more about any number of topics.
There is a vast array of fantastic stories to learn from, be they from fellow performers, teachers, theatre-makers or people who can shine a light on what happens behind the scenes. We've read quite a few of them so we thought we'd share some of our book recommendations with you! Not only are these titles a great read, but you may also learn something that could help your career too.
Books by Performers
1. Character Breakdown by Zawe Ashton
2. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine
3. Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
4. Behind the Scenes by Judi Dench
5. What's My Motivation? by Michael Simkins
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Behind the Scenes Books
1. Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Nicholas Hytner
2. Quentin Tarantino: Interviews
3. The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman: My Life as Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman and Other Movies by Vic Armstrong
Books about Acting Techniques and Tips
1. Stella Adler: The Art of Acting by Howard Kissel
2. Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation by Patsy Rodenburg
3. Secrets of Performing Confidence: For Musicians, Singers, Actors and Dancers by Andrew Evans
4. A Life-coaching Approach to Screen Acting by Daniel Dresner
5. Surviving Hollywood: How to Ensure the Acting Industry Doesn't Chew You Up and Spit You Out by Julia Farino
December 17, 2020
Was introduced to this during my training at Guildhall where I first heard of and met Patsy Rodenburg in our voice workshops. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all at the time since it goes beyond actor training and I was looking to soak up everything to do with just performing. I found her other texts much more useful to me as I prepared for numerous auditions and castings.
Fast forward to the last 5 years where I find myself appreciating this text and practice more and more as I get older and find it more difficult to remain present with people, particularly at work, when I am washed out and exhausted. The practical exercises really help with conserving and maintaining your energy on a daily basis, as we move between the circles of presence and find ourselves increasingly drained by those who lack the self awareness to give others space to recalibrate and recharge.
There are certain people in life who constantly live in the third circle, always demanding you give them your full attention with little regard for what this does to your mental health so it is incredibly important to practice setting boundaries and mindfulness to not lose sight of your own well-being and ability to remain productive, thoughtful and present. A life changing read in many ways but I can also see how it isn’t for everyone.
Fast forward to the last 5 years where I find myself appreciating this text and practice more and more as I get older and find it more difficult to remain present with people, particularly at work, when I am washed out and exhausted. The practical exercises really help with conserving and maintaining your energy on a daily basis, as we move between the circles of presence and find ourselves increasingly drained by those who lack the self awareness to give others space to recalibrate and recharge.
There are certain people in life who constantly live in the third circle, always demanding you give them your full attention with little regard for what this does to your mental health so it is incredibly important to practice setting boundaries and mindfulness to not lose sight of your own well-being and ability to remain productive, thoughtful and present. A life changing read in many ways but I can also see how it isn’t for everyone.
February 18, 2021
Enjoy the premise of this book - being more present in both mind and body. Opened my eyes to more situations where I could pay more attention; on journeys, in work, with my family etc.
I'd caution anyone wanting to read this book on one thing, time. The opening chapters are ecercise-heavy. You might spend 15 minutes reading a chapter or two, but another 20 minutes completing the exercises to support and reinforce the author's virtues of achieving presence.
Some useful takeaways, on the lengthy side. Ambivalent.
I'd caution anyone wanting to read this book on one thing, time. The opening chapters are ecercise-heavy. You might spend 15 minutes reading a chapter or two, but another 20 minutes completing the exercises to support and reinforce the author's virtues of achieving presence.
Some useful takeaways, on the lengthy side. Ambivalent.
March 5, 2020
more top shelf shit from patsy, absolutely essential and enthralling reading that makes you feel alive
May 30, 2023
The book is great but, if you can, book one of her workshops!
March 9, 2016
I had to give this book one star because Goodreads doesn't permit a zero. What a crock! I wanted a book to help me improve my stage presence, and to engage more deeply with my audiences and the material (poems, mainly) that I am delivering. I'm a fan of Stanislavsky, so I was looking for a practical guide on stagecraft. How I arrived at this book I can't recall, but I'll summarise its message thus: be mindful and treat other people as people, not as objects. It's an unobjectionable, if trite, message, but the author has wrapped it in a cloak of New Age mystic twaddle that makes it out to be more than it is. I gave up reading when she suggested I perform an exercise 'before bed' that 'clean bad energy out of [my] being.' Uh? (The exercise was basically to lie relaxed on the floor then slowly unfurl upwards into a relaxed standing posture. Not slumped, not to rigid. Basically, a 'middle way', as Buddhists would say. Indeed.) Rather than read this book, take up yoga or go to a Buddhism 101. I usually pass books on once I've read them, but this momma is getting pulped.
October 28, 2011
this book starts by making big, fat, life changing promises that would turn your world around..
i don't like that. it gets me to expect a lot from that book. and when my expectations aren't met, the book, however helpful, would inevitably suck!
so, presence in the true sense of the word means thoughtfulness, concentration and focus!
that's pretty much it.. bottom line: stay focus!!
i feel the book has no content.. started skimming when i found that there isn't any helpful, genuine idea.
it is not in my intentions to lash out on any author, it is after all, nothing personal. im just saying what i think here
i felt the book was unorganized, out of place and just babbles about whatever came into the author's mind during her writing hours.
how does "changing your body" make you less charismatic or thoughtless?
we are discussing the power of minds and attitudes. looks can help but they aren't "it"
i don't like that. it gets me to expect a lot from that book. and when my expectations aren't met, the book, however helpful, would inevitably suck!
so, presence in the true sense of the word means thoughtfulness, concentration and focus!
that's pretty much it.. bottom line: stay focus!!
i feel the book has no content.. started skimming when i found that there isn't any helpful, genuine idea.
it is not in my intentions to lash out on any author, it is after all, nothing personal. im just saying what i think here
i felt the book was unorganized, out of place and just babbles about whatever came into the author's mind during her writing hours.
how does "changing your body" make you less charismatic or thoughtless?
we are discussing the power of minds and attitudes. looks can help but they aren't "it"
June 13, 2012
Patsy Rodenburg is the master when it comes to voice, and if you care about communications, public speaking, becoming a leader, or any of that sort of thing, then you need to care about your Voice. If you read only one Rodenburg book, this is the one. In it, she introduces her core concepts of First, Second, and Third Circles, and how to achieve Second Circle for maximum impact. You'll want to learn the ideas, and then put the techniques into practice.
June 2, 2014
I felt this book could have been a lot shorter. Better still, it could have been packaged as a multi-media course and the author could have sold it at a higher price. The book's a bit of a compromise in terms of execution - I feel it didn't really pack a punch for the price. Sorry.
March 24, 2014
Super. Love the 3 circles paradigm
December 31, 2014
A terrific working book.
Read
March 27, 2016??? Too new age for me. I didn't understand it at all so I'm not going to rate it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews